Food Web Model Informs River Restoration on the Barkley Bear Segment, Methow River

The ATP model links stream environmental conditions to the dynamics of river food webs, and can be used to simulate how alternative river restoration designs influence the potential for river reaches to sustain fish production. Four restoration design alternatives that encompassed varying levels of restoration strategies were evaluated. Model simulations showed that designs that reconnected side channels and the adjacent floodplain may provide the greatest increase in fish carrying capacity. Findings suggested that using both physical and biological models when evaluating restoration design alternatives provides a better understanding of the potential outcome of restoration actions.