FOEF is planning 13 new and 9 collaborative projects, 7 existing maintenance follow-up projects, and 3 education and advocacy projects with school students, and volunteers, along with public events support and display booth participation in 2020.

FOEF Project Detailed List (PDF)

The 2020 program for this spring and summer is focused on stream channel improvements, fish habitat, and water quality improvement (stream temperatures, sediment, and summer flow levels and pool refuge). Donations and help from FOEF Members, volunteers, and collaboration with other groups, as we have learned in recent years, will allow us to get the work done.

Project field data acquisition and planning help will be needed as well some stream temperature and flow monitoring work assistance. The projects range from relatively simple project monitoring to “tweaking” existing projects, to more extensive projects requiring construction equipment and materials. FOEF has its own support equipment such as Total Station and Laser survey units, certified stream flow meters, GoPro cameras, HoBo continuous temperature recording units, Oxygen level testing units, Licensed Professional Drone access, Specialized Hydrologic and Geomorphic analytical software, video recorders, field cameras, etc.

Some very important field work needs the help of a volunteer(s) to go to the field with us and record (write down) data, take photos, or in some cases assist in field instrument/recorders set up and operation. Some work would be done from the streambank, some requires wading the stream or pool, and some may require working from a small boat or kayak.

We particularly want to strengthen and increase our collaboration with other groups and particularly the La Center High School Conservation and Environmental Studies Classes. This class monitors 5 different types of stream projects on the lower East Fork on the Dean Swanson Farm Family property.

We also intend to do more drone flights over various parts of the lower East Fork and some of its tributaries as it provides valuable data and information not found on high elevation aerial photos. This is all possible thanks to the interest by and generous support of a local fully licensed drone pilot who uses a professional level drone to shoot high definition video and still photos.

We will be working more on the Lower East Fork and its tributaries although in the past we have collaborated on stream and fish habitat projects with the US Forest Service on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Lastly, please continue to check our Friends of the East Fork (FOEF) web page as well as our “face book” and other postings. And again, if you are interested in volunteering, joining FOEF, donating, or have questions — you can find us on the internet at eastforklewisriver.org or call us at 360-887-0866 to leave a message or write us at FOEF, 27511 NE 29th Ave., Ridgefield WA 98642 NOTE: We are a tax deductible 501c3 Organization