This last year, I worked on a large wood stream restoration project with the Hood River Ranger District, Mt Hood National Forest, as a fisheries technician.
Prior to the 1980’s, stream clean-out and timber harvest in riparian areas was typical. As a result, large wood does not exist in some systems, and will, perhaps, take many years before it can regenerate itself. The presence of fish is highly correlated to wood structures (e.g., log jams, side jams) in stream systems. So, by placing large wood in streams, we’re enhancing the habitat for fish.
Functions of wood in streams: slows velocity, increases roughness, allows for pool development, provides cover, etc.
