South Silver Springs will be lengthened to provide additional salmon habitat. Large woody debris will be placed into South Prairie Creek to protect the banks and add pools for migrating salmon. The entire area will be replanted with native species of vegetation and eventually become a riparian forest.

The project includes:

• Constructing approximately 1,300 feet of new meandering stream channel.
• Installing logs and other large woody debris in the new stream channel to improve fish habitat.
• Removing fish passage barriers.
• Wildlife habitat features such as standing ‘snag’ trees for birds.
• Planting native vegetation to enhance the wetlands and stream channels. Once established, the irrigation system will be removed.
• Constructing a flood protection fence adjacent to South Prairie Creek.

This project is funded primarily by grants from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the Pierce County Community Salmon Fund. Pierce County Surface Water Management manages these grants and also provided additional funding.

Public access will be limited for the first 3-5 years as the plants become established. The site will remain as a natural, undeveloped area.