Southwest Washington Fairgrounds (SWWF) Master Plan - May 2022
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Southwest Washington Fairgrounds (SWWF)
Master Plan
May 2022
SWWF Master Plan 1
Lewis County Board of Commissioners District 1, Sean D Swope District 2, Dr. Lindsey R. Pollock, DVM District 3, F. Lee Grose (Initially Gary Stamper) Lewis County Staff Chief, Internal Services – Steve Wohld Director, Parks & Recreation - Connie Riker Former Fair Manager at stare of project – Tamara Hayes Fair Advisory Board Chair - Thomas Larson Secretary - Sybil Kuhn, George Dodd Edna Fund Joshua Heinricher Kendra Meek Kelly Sneed Lewis County Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Committee (LCORT) Consultants Team Leader – Tom Beckwith FAICP Economist – Eric Hovee Architect – Julie Blazek AIA LEED AP Civil Engineer – Eric Scott PE SBE 2 SWWF Master Plan
Preface 1
Origin of SWWF 1
Garlic Festival 1
1. Introduction 3
Market study 3
Master plan 3
2. Fairground site conditions 5
Historical context 6
Climate 6
Cowlitz Valley 7
Fairgrounds soils 9
Surface drainage 9
Salmon habitat 10
Salmon habitat management 13
Wetlands 13
Flooding 15
Seismic hazard 18
Volcanic hazard 19
3. Fair facilities 21
Utilities 23
Facilities 24
Interim uses - Covid 28
Repairs and renovations 28
4. Financial trends 31
Benchmarks 31
Financial components 32
Rodeo 32
5. Public opinions 33
Resident outreach survey 33
Annual Fair attendees survey 37
Exhibitor survey 38
Vendor survey 40
6. Market opportunities 43
Fairs 43
Rodeos 43
Market projections 44
Opportunities 44
7. Proposed improvements 45
Livestock Barns & Midway 45
Equestrian & Rodeo Areans 47
RV Campground North Option B 47
RV Campground South Option B 49
Utilities 49
SWWF Master Plan 1
2 SWWF Master Plan
Preface
Origin of the Southwest consisting of Lewis, Thurston, Mason, Grays
Harbor, Cowlitz, and Pacific Counties.
Washington State Fair (SWWF)
The Southwest Washington Fair (SWWF) that
The Southwest Washington Fair (SWWF) was was born was unique in that it was the only one
started in 1877, when an association was created through an act of the Legislature to
formed in Lewis County for the purpose of serve a 6-county region.
promoting “the advancement of agriculture”
and needing the stimulus of competition to Construction soon began on Fair facilities,
advance the county beyond the first rudiments including the floral and machinery halls, four
of agriculture generally found in a new stables with eighty stalls, a cattle barn with
country. 400-head capacity, and a grandstand, capable
of seating 4,000. Continuous rains, however,
The organization was incorporated as The delayed progress.
Lewis County Agricultural Association in
November 1882, and its first Fair was held About 30 acres of land for the Fair site were
October 6 ~ 9, 1891 at a site somewhere in the purchased from one of the county
vicinity of South Market Street near where the commissioners at a reported $200.00 per acre.
Fuller’s Market Basket in Chehalis is presently By contrast, the county, in the spring of 1975,
located. purchased an additional 30 acres for the Fair at
a total price of $380,000.
Certain harness and other horse racing
enthusiasts were not satisfied with the fair as it Numerous buildings, including the grandstand
was. They made many trips in the early 1900s and a half-mile racetrack, were completed in
to the state Legislature in Olympia to persuade time for the first Fair at the new site, in late
legislators to provide funding for a racing September 1909.
venue and new fair facility.
This first Fair was deluged with 5 days of
E.C. Truesdell, an avid harness horse racing continuous downpour. The rainy debut,
enthusiast, and George Walker, a breeder of however, did not dampen Fair’s progress and it
racehorses, and others who shared the dream, became known as a showplace and the home of
were close friends of the leading political the finest harness horse track in the region.
figure of the state, Governor Roland Hartley, Through the support of a racing stables set up
also a harness racing fan. and down the West coast, trotters and pacers
were able to compete at the Fair’s oval.
The dream came true when in 1908 the
Legislature agreed to provide the funding and Competition in the livestock departments
stipulated the Fair was to be located between stimulated interest in breeding fine cattle.
Chehalis and Centralia. The Legislature decreed
that the Fair was to serve a 6-county area
SWWF Master Plan 1
Consequently, Lewis County and surrounding
areas began flourishing as a source of excellent
dairy cattle and beef cattle for breeding
purposes.
Agriculture exhibits that were housed in a
structure just north of the present grandstand
preceded today’s Grange booths.
George Walker managed the Fair from its
inception as a regional event in 1909 until
1927. He is credited as being responsible for
the Fair’s early rapid growth and excellence.
Garlic Fest & Craft Show – A
With its up-and-down financial issues, the fair
was suspended in the late 1920s. In 1935, it Contemporary Addition
returned, and continued to operate until the
start of World War II. Little is known about this The Garlic Fest and Craft show got its start
period or the specific reasons for the fair's perched on Sunshine Hill with a view of Mount
closures. Rainier and the Chehalis River Valley in 1996.
As the Garlic Fest participation and attendance
The fair resumed operation after the war under grew so did the need for a larger location.
the management of a Carl Hampe, followed by
Arthur W. Ehret, who worked closely with the Now located at the Southwest Washington
new fair board to renew the former prestige of Fairgrounds, the newly minted Washington
the fair. State Garlic Fest is the largest gathering of
garlicious eats and artisan crafts in Washington
One of Ebret’s accomplishments was State.
construction of a dike on the south portion of
the grounds adjacent to Salzer Creek. The dike Vendors from across the state and the nation
prevented the annual inundation of all the fair bring wares to the Fairgrounds for the 24th
buildings, which were not built high enough to Annual Garlic Fest, August 28th -30th, 2020.
prevent flooding. However, even with the dike,
flooding was not prevented some years.
The 1972 break in the dike resulted in flood
damage to the fairgrounds of nearly $500,000.
Many of the damaged facilities were replaced
and other buildings gradually modernized. The
dike broke again in November 1986, however,
with heavy water damage being sustained by
the fair office. The office was relocated, as a
result, to a building near the fairgrounds’
south entrance.
Old Towne, a collection of historic façade
facsimiles occupied by historic exhibits,
performers, and vendors used to be a staple of
the fairgrounds. The structures have since
been removed from the grounds though the
concept remains popular with fairgoers.
Reprinted Courtesy of The Chronicle
2 SWWF Master Plan
Chapter 1. Introduction
Lewis County initiated this process for a master citizens’ ideas, concerns, and expressions of
plan linked to economic development for the preference into how the fairgrounds will be
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds (SWWF). developed, what will be preserved, what
Specifically, this process completed two programming will accomplish, what facilities
objectives - a market study and a facility master and service levels are needed, and how publicly
plan. funded improvements will support these
objectives.
Market Study
This plan update looks 20 years into the future.
§ Analyzed and identified market potentials However, the visions and values expressed in
- for economic development in Lewis County this completed master plan will likely extend
that can be supported by the Southwest beyond the 20-year planning horizon to future
Washington Fairgrounds (SWWF). generations.
§ Quantified future demand - for SWWF’s
market segments over a defined time horizon of
at least 5 to 10 years.
§ Developed an action plan - with
implementation tasks, responsibilities,
schedule, and performance benchmarks
Master Plan
This master plan maximizes the property use
and value to Lewis County residents and
visitors; considers economic viability and
livability of the region including historic,
cultural, recreational, and economic value.
Specifically, this process:
§ Completed a comprehensive analysis of
the fairground’s programs and facilities -
including a long-term vision for sustainability.
§ Analyzed the fairgrounds economic
position - within the community, the relevance
of historic resources and sense of place,
§ Developed a 6-year capital improvement
plan - and 20-year capital forecast.
§ Completed an innovative citizen
involvement strategy - that integrated SWWF
SWWF Master Plan 3
4 SWWF Master Plan
Chapter 2. Fairground site conditions
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds (SWWF) is Other privately owned undeveloped parcels are
located at 1909 South Gold Street in Centralia. located between the fairground and the City of
The site is bound on the east by North National Chehalis property, and across North National
Avenue/South Gold Street, the southbound Avenue at the south end of the fairground and
roadway of the one-way couplet with NE Kresky east and adjacent to the Lewis County
Avenue, and on the west by BNSF Railroad Community Health Services property on the
tracks. north end of the fairground.
Acres Value
SWWF 45.310 $3,150,900
SWWF 32.890 $1,282,100
Subtotal 78.200 $4,433,000
LC Public Works 8.500 $180,800
LC Comty Health Svs 0.300 $55,000
City of Chehalis 66.010 $80,000
Source: Lewis County Assessor
The north fairground parcel - is in the
corporate limits of Centralia subject to Centralia
zoning and development regulations. Centralia’s
land use plan and zoning regulations designate
the fairground north parcel, and the adjacent
Lewis County Public Works parcel Open
Space/Public Facilities District (OS/PF).
Centralia’s Municipal Code Chapter 20.46 lists
fairgrounds as a permitted use with a maximum
height of structures of 50 feet that may be
increased to 75 feet with Planning Commission
approval.
Setback from the privately owned parcel on the
north fairground parcel boundary is 15 feet and
from North National Avenue/Gold Street is 35
feet. The site is subject to design review.
The south fairground parcel - is located just
More specifically, SWWF includes Lewis County inside Chehalis corporate limits subject to
tax parcels 21530-6 and 5605-84-2 of 78.2 acres Chehalis zoning and development regulations.
worth approximately $4.433,000 in 2018 Chehalis zoning map designates the south
assessed value. parcel as an Essential Public Facility Fair (EPF-F).
Lewis County Public Works Department owns an Chapter 17.78 of the Chehalis Municipal Code
undeveloped parcel directly north and adjacent authorizes the following in EPF zones:
to the fairground. Lewis County Community
Health Services own a small, undeveloped EPF use or occupancy
triangular parcel across North National Avenue Amusement park – non-habitable buildings A
from the fairground. The City of Chehalis owns Amusement arcade A
a sizable undeveloped parcel south of the Assembly up to 1,000+ with stage C
fairground that is separated from the fairground Bleachers for up to 1 year T
by a privately owned parcel.
Grandstand P
Reviewing stand T
SWWF Master Plan 5
Stadium C business uses which are conducive to freeway
Adult education building/classroom P locations such as motels, hotels, restaurants,
Adult education facility - campus P etc., which serve the traveling public. This
Animal shelter/pound P designation excludes residential uses.
Bus stop facility P
College/university facility - campus P Historical context
Constructed wetland/habitat P
Espresso stand – independent building A Exploring parties first came to the area in the
Flood control facility/structure P 1820's from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia
Government office/administration P River (28). French Canadians settled on the
Restaurant seating 1-100 persons A Cowlitz Prairie near the present site of Toledo,
Technical training building/classroom P and in 1838 Simon Plamondon founded the
Accessory dwelling unit C Cowlitz Farm there.
Accessory living quarters – single-family A
Recreational vehicle park - campground A The Hudson's Bay Company brought immigrants
Open parking garage P to the farm, and it became the Puget Sound
Agricultural Company in 1843. In 1845 John R.
Open parking lot P
P=permitted use, A=accessory use, C=conditional Jackson settled 9 miles southeast of Chehalis,
use, T=temporary use of 1 year or less on the prairie that now bears his name. In the
same year, Lewis County was established as a
Chapter 17.54 of the Chehalis Municipal Code part of the Oregon Territory. It was the first
defines the following bulk regulations in EPF county organized in what is now the state of
zones: Washington.
Maximum P A C T Chehalis, originally known as Saundersville, was
Lot coverage 100% 50% 100% 100% settled in the early 1850's. Centralia, the largest
Height 50’ 50’ 50’ 50’ town in the survey area, was organized in 1875.
Street setback 20’ 20’ 20’ 20’
Lewis County is largely rural with less than half
Lot setback 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’
P=permitted use, A=accessory use, C=conditional
of its residents living in incorporated areas.
use, T=temporary use of 1 year or less Logging and farming have been the major
industries since settlement. Revenues from
Chapter 17.86 of the Chehalis Municipal Code timber cutting in Lewis County often are higher
limits permanent signs to 32 square feet in area than those of any other county in Washington.
and temporary signs to 32 square feet in area
and 6 feet in height that cannot be displayed Principal forest products are dimension lumber,
longer than 180 days. shingles and shakes, poles and pilings, and
pulpwood. Other products include Christmas
The City of Chehalis parcel south of the trees, floral greenery, and cascara bark. Hay and
fairground boundary is designated an Essential pasture for livestock are the most common
Public Facility Wetlands (EPF-W) with the same farming uses. Common crops are wheat, oats,
use and occupancy allowances as the Fair. corn, peas, strawberries, cane fruit, and fruit
trees.
The privately owned parcel between the city
parcel and fairground is designated Commercial The Centralia-Chehalis area is an important
General (CG) as is most of the land east of North trade center with small manufacturing and
National Avenue. processing plants and a $200,000,000 dollar
steam-generating electrical power plant
The Commercial General designation includes northeast of Centralia.
commercial uses such as institutions, offices,
and retail shops to service the residential and Climate
business community within both the city and
the surrounding areas. It is intended to provide The climate is very temperate because of the
areas that require large structures and direct proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Summers are
vehicular access. This designation also includes warm but hot days are rare. Winters are cool but
6 SWWF Master Plansnow and freezing temperatures are not temperature for several consecutive days is well
common except at the higher elevations. During below freezing; in summer a week or longer is
summer rainfall is relatively light. sweltering.
Frequently, several weeks in summer pass Cowlitz River Valley
without precipitation. Rains are frequent during
the rest of the year, particularly late in fall and The Cowlitz Valley extends from deep within the
in winter. Cascades westward about 80 miles into the
southwestern part of Lewis County. The eastern
In winter, the average temperature is 42 degrees part of the valley is characterized by a deeply
F and the average daily minimum temperature is cut trough and flat bottom lands, and the
35 degrees. The lowest temperature on record, western part is characterized by bottom lands,
which occurred in December 1972, is 1 degree. terraces, and broad plains that are surrounded
by glacially smoothed uplands of moderate
In summer, the average temperature is 63 relief.
degrees, and the average daily maximum
temperature is 76 degrees. The highest recorded The western part, or lower end, of the Cowlitz
temperature, which occurred in Packwood in Valley lies within the northern end of the
July 1958, is 108 degrees. Willamette Lowlands physiographic province.
The major bottomlands have an elevation of 50
The total average annual precipitation is about to 800 feet in the western part of the Cowlitz
47 inches. Of this, 11 inches or 23% usually falls Valley and 800 to 1,200 feet in the eastern part.
in April through September. In 2 years out of 10,
the rainfall in April through September is less The Chehalis Valley is in the southern end of the
than 5 inches. The heaviest 1-day rainfall during Puget Trough section and is characterized by a
the period of record was 4.10 inches at broad, well-developed floodplain and low
Packwood in November 1962. terraces surrounded by highly dissected
uplands of low to moderate relief that have
Thunderstorms occur about 5 days each year broad, rounded ridges. There are countless
and most occur in summer. The average perennial streams.
seasonal snowfall is 8 inches. The greatest snow
depth at any one time during the period of Valley bottoms are at an elevation of about 150
record was 37 inches at Packwood. The average feet, and uplands average about 300 to 600 feet.
number of days of at least 1 inch of snow on the The lowest point in the divide between the
ground is 2 days. Cowlitz and Chehalis watersheds is a few miles
south of Chehalis, between the communities of
The number of such days varies greatly from Napavine and Winlock. The Cowlitz Glacier
year to year. The average relative humidity in deposited ancient glacial drift on this upland
midafternoon is about 65%. Humidity is higher plain. At one point on this divide, the two
at night, and the average at dawn is about 85%. largest rivers of southwestern Washington are
The sun shines 50% of the time in summer and only 16 miles apart.
25% in winter.
The Chehalis River and its tributaries, including
The prevailing wind is from the southwest. the Skookumchuck and Newaukum Rivers and
Average wind-speed is highest, 9 miles per hour, Hanaford, Lincoln, and Bunker Creeks, drain the
in winter. In most winters, 1 or 2 storms bring north-central and western parts, including the
strong and sometimes damaging winds to the uplands adjacent to the valley floor and the
entire area, and in some years the higher Doty and Willapa Hills to the west. The
accompanying heavy rains cause serious Chehalis flows north into Thurston County near
flooding. Centralia then flows west and empties into the
Pacific Ocean at Grays Harbor.
Every few years, in winter or summer, a large
continental air mass from the east causes
abnormal temperatures. In winter the
SWWF Master Plan 7Fairgrounds Fairgrounds
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Chehalis UGA have not been mapped may be present on a development proposal site.
Liquefaction Potential-Mod to High-Chehalis silty clay 1996 Flood (PIE 100 yr)
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8 SWWF Master PlanFairground soils point and non-point pollution sources in the
drainage area. Problems were discovered with
The fairground is in Reed-Chehalis soil that is very low dissolved oxygen and high fecal
very deep, poorly drained and well drained, coliform levels. Inadequate farm animal
level and nearly level soils that formed in mixed management practices were identified as the
alluvium on floodplains and terraces in areas predominant cause of these problems.
adjacent to the Chehalis River and its
tributaries. In 1993 DOE also identified a Centralia
superfund landfill’s leachates and Southwest
Slope is 0 to 3%. Native vegetation is wetland Washington Fairground stormwater runoff as a
plants, deciduous trees, and conifers. The main pollution problem.
woodland species on the Chehalis soils are
Douglas-fir and red alder. Elevation is 130 to Salzer Creek is designated an Urban Shoreline
500 feet. The average annual precipitation is 40 Environment under Chehalis and Centralia
to 60 inches, the average annual air temperature Shoreline Management Programs (SMP) that were
is about 52 degrees F, the average growing updated jointly with Lewis County in 2011.
season (at 28 degrees) is 200 to 220 days, and
the average frost-free season (at 32 degrees) is Urban Shoreline Environment designation
150 to 200 days. criteria - is assigned to areas within UGAs that:
§ Are appropriate and planned for low-
The soil is about 45% Reed soils and 21% intensity agricultural, recreational, and
Chehalis soils. The remaining 34% is residential development that is compatible with
components of minor extent. Reed soils are on maintaining or restoring the ecological
floodplains, in abandoned river channels, and in functions of the area in the shoreline
shallow depression areas of floodplains and jurisdiction and that are not generally suitable
terraces. These soils formed in mixed alluvium, for water-dependent uses.
are very deep, poorly drained, and subject to § Possess development limitations, due to the
seasonal flooding. Farm tilling has altered presence of critical environmental features
natural drainage channels. including:
§ Erosion hazard areas
Typically, the surface layer is mottled, very dark § Habitat areas
grayish brown silty clay loam about 14 inches § Wetlands
thick. The upper part of the subsoil is mottled, § Flood hazard areas
brown silty clay, very dark gray and dark gray § Have the potential for development that is
clay, and dark grayish brown silty clay loam to a compatible with ecological restoration.
depth of 37 inches. The lower part to a depth of § Retain important ecological functions, even
60 inches or more is black clay. though partially developed.
The main limitation of the Reed soil is the Urban Shoreline Environment management
hazard of flooding. Septic tank absorption fields policies – require development be consistent
do not function properly on the Reed soils with the following policies:
because of wetness and slow permeability. § Allow uses that preserve the natural
character of the shoreline environment,
promote preservation of open space, floodway,
Surface drainage floodplain, or critical areas directly, or over the
long-term as the primary allowed uses. Allow
Salzer Creek - flows northwest through the uses that result in restoration of ecological
Salzer Valley into Centralia then south and functions if the use is otherwise compatible
around the south boundary of the fairground with the purpose of the environment and
into Chehalis before merging with the Chehalis setting.
River west of I-5. Salzer Creek’s watershed is § Implement public access and public
approximately 17.3 square miles of mostly recreation objectives whenever feasible and
agricultural and forested lands. significant ecological impacts can be mitigated.
§ Give preferred water-oriented uses priority
In 1986 the Washington State Department of instead of non-water-oriented uses. Water-
Ecology (DOE) surveyed Salzer Creek to identify
SWWF Master Plan 9dependent and recreational development should Salzer and Coal Creeks are Type F Water B that
be given highest priority. contain fish habitat of a stream width less than
§ Ensure that standards for new development 10 feet. The creek buffer requirement is
for shoreline stabilization measures, vegetation generally a 100-foot natural vegetated area from
conservation, water quality, and shoreline the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM), a
modifications do not result in a net loss of biological vegetation mix along the stream, that
ecological functions or degrade other shoreline may be meandered provided the average of all
values. buffer meanders remains 100 feet.
Coal Creek - is a small tributary of Salzer Creek, Lewis County’s joint 2017 Shoreline Master
flowing west and northwest for approximately Program (SMP) with Centralia and Chehalis,
20.5 miles before merging with Salzer Creek at however, determines shoreline buffers based on
the southern boundary of the fairground. the intensity of the activities adjacent to the
stream corridors. Under the 2017 SMP, the
Coal Creek’s upper reaches are in a narrow fairground could be considered a high intensity
valley bordered by rural home sites, with recreational development with non-water-
adjacent slopes in timber production. The lower oriented structures and uses requiring a 150-
reaches of Coal Creek are heavily developed foot buffer from the OHWM of Salzer Creek.
with commercial enterprises. The streambed is
low gradient and primarily silt and sand. Salmon habitat
An 8-acre superfund site is located along Coal In 2011, Grays Harbor County was the lead
Creek one mile northeast of Chehalis that is agency for the completion of the Chehalis Basin
currently owned by the Lewis County Public Salmon Habitat Restoration and Preservation
Utility District. The site was used for Strategy for SRIA 22 and 23 that included
manufacturing, repairing and recycling, and to assessments of Salzer and Coal Creeks.
scrap electrical equipment, including
transformers containing PCBs. Dioxins, heavy The inventory and assessments found Salzer
metals, and a building containing asbestos were and Coal Creeks had Coho in healthy
also found to be present. Cleanup efforts for the concentrations and Cutthroat Salmonids of an
site began in 1993 and were completed in 1994. unknown status. The inventory did not find
Chinook, Chum, Steelhead, or Bull Trout in
Shoreline buffers – typically are naturally either creek.
vegetated areas adjacent to water bodies that
protect the ecological functions of the shoreline Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) - adult
and help to reduce the impacts of land uses on coho begin to enter streams when water
the water body. Buffers provide a transition temperatures decrease and flows increase, often
between the aquatic and upland areas. resulting in short explorations into a stream and
then returning to saltwater. Upstream migration
Buffers are generally recognized as a typically takes place during the day after a large
“separation zone” between a water body and a increase in flow, especially when combined with
land use activity to protect ecological processes,
structures, functions, and mitigate the threat of
a hazard on human infrastructures. Ideally,
shoreline buffers are relatively undisturbed;
uses are limited, and there are no substantial
structures. A typical use is a trail leading to the
water or along the shoreline.
Buffers cannot contain uses or activities that
will adversely affect the water body such as
buildings, paved parking lots or roads, or other a high tide.
impervious surfaces that will generate water
runoff or erosion that will degrade the water Most coho return to spawn at 3 years of age.
body. Juveniles typically spend 4 to 6 months
10 SWWF Master Planincubating, up to 15 months rearing in capture prey and foreign objects perceived as
freshwater, and then 16 months feeding in the prey. They settle to the bottom during the night
ocean. to rest.
Coho spawn in a variety of stream-types, Small individuals are often harassed, chased,
including small coastal streams, large rivers, and nipped by larger ones. Complex in-stream
and remote tributaries. Coho will spawn just habitat composed of large rocks, large woody
about anywhere that suitable gravel (15 cm or debris, and vegetation is important to rearing
smaller in diameter) is present. Coho show coho because production is limited by the
preference for sites with groundwater seepage. number of suitable territories present.
A salmon redd is a depression created by the Displaced fry often ends up in less favorable
upstroke of the female salmon's body and tail, habitat where they are vulnerable to predation,
sucking up the river bottom gravel and using including downstream at the estuary. Fish that
the river current to drift it downstream. The enter the estuary during the first spring or
female salmon digs several redds, depositing a summer of life do not generally survive to
few hundred eggs in each during the 1 or 2 days adulthood.
the female salmon is spawning.
Coho are visual feeders and prefer food moving
The redd is typically located at the head of a in suspension or on the surface. They rarely
riffle to promote good oxygen circulation. The feed on non-moving food or along the stream
eggs generally hatch in 40 to 60 days depending bottom. The juveniles usually rear in slower
upon temperature. The alevins initially move sections of the stream that allow them to
downward in the gravel, likely an adaptation to capture prey with a minimum of effort.
prevent premature emergence of individuals
that hatch close to the surface of the streambed. Small streams are the most productive coho
areas because they provide more marginal slack
Fry about 30 mm in length emerge from the water habitat than large streams. The midstream
gravel about 2 to 3 weeks after hatching. portion of large streams is generally unsuitable
Emergence occurs primarily at night and fry that for juvenile coho because any food drifting
emerge first are typically larger than later through this area is unavailable.
emerging fry. These individuals tend to make up
a large proportion of the fingerling population Fingerlings move into off-channel habitat when
because they are able to out-compete smaller fall freshets begin. In-stream cover, side
individuals for territories and prey. channels, small intermittent streams, and ponds
provide shelter from winter storms that could
Following emergence, the fry hides in the sweep the fish out of the system. They also
substrate during daylight hours. After a few provide refuge from predators at a time when
days they begin to swim along the banks and cold water temperatures limit fingerlings'
use whatever cover is available. Backwaters, swimming ability. Beaver ponds provide shelter
side channels, and small streams are preferred to avoid high flows during winter and low flows
areas, particularly in shaded areas with in the summer. However, small coho in ponds
overhead cover. The fry may move upstream or are more susceptible to predation from
downstream and occupy areas inaccessible to cutthroat trout.
adult coho.
When juvenile coho rear in conditions with
Some coho rear in lakes, but the majority rear in moderate water temperatures and abundant
streams where they establish and aggressively prey, they grow rapidly. The fry is about 30 mm
defend territories. They may be found in both long at emergence in March, growing to 60 to 70
pools and riffles but are best adapted to pool mm by September. By March of the second year,
habitat. the fingerlings are 80 to 95 mm long. The
juveniles are about 100 to 130 mm in length by
Trout out-compete coho in riffles. The fry is May when they smolt. Exposure to water
active during daylight hours, defending their temperatures of 25ºC (77ºF) or greater is fatal to
territories and making frequent dashes to juvenile coho.
SWWF Master Plan 11In freshwater, juveniles are subject to predation Repeat spawning female coastal cutthroat
by numerous animals including cutthroat and produce more eggs of a larger size than first-
rainbow trout, char, whitefish, sculpins, fish spawning females. The larger eggs develop into
ducks, herons, mink, and otter. Garter snakes, larger alevins that have higher survival than
dippers (water ouzel), robins, and crows are also small alevins. Emergence from the gravel
significant consumers of juvenile coho. Coho typically peaks in mid-April but may extend
smolts begin to migrate downstream in the from March through June.
spring.
Newly emerged fry is about 1 inch long. The
Factors that trigger migration include fish size, juveniles spend their first few weeks in lateral
stream flows, water temperature, dissolved habitats including low- velocity backwaters, side
oxygen levels, photoperiod, and forage channels, and other areas of cover along the
availability. Outmigration generally peaks in channel margin.
May, with most movement occurring at night.
The fish grow rapidly in the near shore waters During the summer months, young-of-the-year
of the estuary, feeding on invertebrates. After (Age-0) cutthroat prefer to rear in pools and
attaining a larger size, they shift to feeding on other slow-water habitats. However, if coho
fish, krill, and crab larvae. juveniles are present, cutthroat is often
displaced into riffles.
The Chehalis River and nearby drainages
produce more coho smolts (575,000 in 1999) Coho emerge earlier and at a larger size than
than any other system along the Washington cutthroat. They can outcompete cutthroat
Coast. In 1999, the Chehalis River was the third because of their larger size, aggressive
largest producer of wild coho smolts in behavior, and body morphology better adapted
Washington State. to pool habitat. Juvenile steelhead may displace
juvenile cutthroat from riffles in a similar
All coho stocks are composites of hatchery and fashion. Steelhead are more aggressive with a
wild fish, with significant hatchery influence. body better adapted to riffle habitat than
"Normal" coho are the most numerous and cutthroat.
spawn in December throughout the basin. "Late"
coho salmon spawn from January through Interactions between young-of-the-year coho,
February. Late runs may consist of wild fish and steelhead, and cutthroat during the summer
the normal run with more hatchery influence. rearing period may set a natural limit on
cutthroat production in streams where all 3
Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki species are present.
clarki) - spawn from late winter through late
spring in low gradient reaches of small tributary Stream-rearing juvenile coastal cutthroat may be
streams or feeding generalists, consuming whatever prey is
the lower available. Age-0 cutthroat consume both benthic
reaches of (bottom dwelling) and drift organisms. Age-1
larger and older cutthroat often eat coho fry up to 2
streams. inches. Cutthroat parr, smolts, and kelts
(spawned adults) eat a variety of items including
These insect larvae, sand shrimp, and small fish.
streams are typically small with summer low
flows often between 3.5 to 10.6 cubic feet per Territoriality and agonistic behavior between
second - cfs). Pea to walnut size gravel is the juvenile salmonids decrease with the approach
preferred spawning substrate. Redds are of winter. The juveniles overwinter in deep
typically constructed in pool tailouts 6 to 18 pools associated with large woody debris and
inches deep. undercut banks, as well as boulders and cobbles
that provide interstitial cover. Off-channel
The deep water of the pool may be used as pools, side channels, and lakes are also used
escape cover. If larger salmonids such as coho where available.
are present, cutthroat will migrate upstream Puget Sound coastal cutthroat typically smolt at
above the reaches used by salmon. age 2 with an average length of 6 inches.
12 SWWF Master PlanSeaward migration begins as early as March and tributary reaches. The resident form exists
continues through mid-July, with a peak in late both above anadromous barriers and below
May to early June. where they mix with anadromous fish.
Adfluvial fish are found in many lakes in the
Anadromy is not well developed in coastal drainage.
cutthroat trout. They spend little time in
saltwater and often remain in the tidewater and Salmon habitat management
estuarine reaches of their home streams. While
in saltwater, cutthroat generally travel along the The Chehalis Basin Salmon Habitat Restoration
shoreline within 31 miles of the home stream and Preservation Strategy assessed several
and are reluctant to cross deep open water. factors that affect the viability of Salzer and
They grow about 1 inch per month while Coal Creeks to adequately support salmonid
foraging in salt water. Marine survival of coastal habitat including sediment, fish passage,
cutthroat is as much as 40% higher than other floodplain, riparian conditions, large wood
Pacific salmonids. Most mortality is due to debris debris (LWD), water quality, and water
predation by Pacific hake, spiny dogfish, harbor quantity.
seals, and adult salmon.
Following is a summary of conditions and
Coastal cutthroat seldom winter in saltwater. mitigations that apply to the segments of Salzer
They often return to freshwater the same year and Coal Creeks near the fairgrounds.
they migrated to sea, but not all of these fish
are spawners. Few female coastal cutthroats Issue Action
mature sexually before age 4. The immature fish
Sediment - is a Add native vegetation
over winter in freshwater then return to
major problem due along the channel to
saltwater a second time to forage. These fish
to bank erosion control erosion
spawn following their second return to
Riparian habitat – Plant evergreen trees
freshwater.
is poor with sparse along the creek channels
vegetation cover to provide shade and
In Puget Sound only 20 to 27% of first-return
reduce water temperature
females spawned, while nearly all of the first-
Floodplain – the Provide overflow options
return males spawned. In large streams
dike restricts for the channels possibly
(summer low flows > 49 cubic feet per second)
natural channel into the City of Chehalis
fish enter freshwater from July through
migration and flood wetlands to the south
November with a peak in September and
volume
October.
Water quality – is Install rain gardens and
low due to storm bio-swales to filter
In small streams (summer low flows < 21 cubic
runoff and erosion fairground stormwater
feet per second) that flow directly to saltwater,
before entering the creek
cutthroat enter freshwater from December
Water quantity – is Continue closing Salzer
through March with a peak in December and
low during summer Creek to further water
January.
months appropriations
Coastal cutthroats survive spawning quite well.
Kelts return to saltwater from late March Wetlands
through early April, about 1 month earlier than
cutthroat smolt outmigration. This timing A wetland is a land or area (such as marshes or
places the adults in position to feed on out- swamps) that is covered often intermittently
migrating juvenile salmonids, particularly pink with shallow water or has soil saturated with
and chum salmon. moisture. A wetland’s surface water may come
from a stream, river, lake, or pond. Wetland
Cutthroat spawn in virtually all perennial soils are hydric and different then the soils
tributaries and mainstem reaches of the found in dry lands. Wetlands are determined
Chehalis system in 1 or more of their life by the presence of present or past water, the
histories forms. The anadromous and fluvial soil type, and vegetation.
forms inhabit mainstem and accessible
SWWF Master Plan 13Wetlands have one or more of the following species, and/or have other attributes that are
attributes: 1) at least periodically, the land very difficult or impossible to replace if altered.
supports predominantly hydrophytes; 2) the § Category II Wetlands - have significant
substrate is predominantly un-drained hydric value based on their function as indicated by a
soil; and 3) the substrate is saturated with rating system score of between 51 and 69
water or covered by shallow water at some time points. They do not meet the criteria for
during each year. Category I rating but occur infrequently and
have qualities that are difficult to replace if
As sediment, excess nutrients, and chemicals altered.
flow off of the land, wetlands filter the runoff § Category III Wetlands - have important
before it reaches open water. Nutrients are resource value as indicated by a rating system
stored and absorbed by plants or score of between 30 and 50 points.
microorganisms. Sediment settles at the § Category IV Wetlands - are wetlands of
bottom after reaching an area with slow water limited resource value as indicated by a rating
flow. system score of less than 30 points. They
typically have vegetation of similar age and
Wetlands are a critical part of the natural class, lack special habitat features, and/or are
environment by reducing the impacts of isolated or disconnected from other aquatic
floods, absorbing pollutants, and improving systems or high-quality upland habitats.
water quality. Wetlands provide habitat for
animals and plants, and many contain a wide The National Wetland Index (NWI) designates
diversity of life, supporting plants, and wetlands are located in the lower southwest
animals that are found nowhere else. triangular portion of the south fairgrounds
parcel and completely across the private
Wetlands accept water during storms and property and whole of the City of Chehalis
whenever water levels are high. When water parcel located south and southeast of the
levels are low, wetlands slowly release fairgrounds.
water. Wetlands also release vegetative matter
into streams and rivers, which helps feed fish. The City of Chehalis designates these wetland
Wetlands act as a natural filtration system, areas to be an Open Space Corridor that will
regulating water flow, and eliminating chemicals protect and maintain the wetlands functions,
from water. wildlife habitat, and recreation potential with re-
vegetation and restoration enhancements,
The City of Chehalis identifies wetlands in environmental interpretation, and access trails.
accordance with the requirements of RCW
36.70A.175 and 90.58.380 and the criteria in the To protect wetlands, the city’s regulations
Washington State Wetland Identification and include methods and provisions that may:
Delineation Manual, (Ecology Publication 96-94).
§ Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous
Wetlands are rated based on categories that to health, safety, and property due to water or
reflect the functions and values of each wetland erosion hazards, or which result in damaging
and based on the criteria provided in the increases in erosion or in flood heights or
Washington State Wetland Rating System for velocities.
Western Washington, revised August 2004 § Require that uses vulnerable to floods,
(Ecology Publication #04-06-025) that are including facilities that serve such uses, be
generally defined as follows: protected against flood damage at the time of
initial construction.
§ Category I Wetlands - are wetlands of § Control the alteration of natural
exceptional value in terms of protecting water floodplains, stream channels and natural
quality, storing flood and storm water, and/or protective barriers, which help accommodate
providing habitat for wildlife as indicated by a or channel floodwaters.
rating system score of 70 points or more. These § Control filling, grading, dredging, and
are wetland communities of infrequent other development which may increase flood
occurrence that often provide documented damage; and
habitat for critical, threatened, or endangered
14 SWWF Master Plan§ Prevent or regulating the construction of I wetland buffer if the following criteria are
flood barriers which will unnaturally divert met:
floodwaters, or which may increase flood
hazards in other areas. § Trails do not exceed 4 feet in width
surfaced with gravel or pervious material,
A wetland buffer is a setback area between a including boardwalks.
stream, river, or wetland and any upland § A trail or facility located in the outer 50%
development that maintains the natural of the buffer area unless a location closer to
vegetation cover along the waterway. All the wetland edge or within the wetland is
buffers are measured from the wetland required for interpretive purposes.
boundary surveyed in the field. § The trail or facility is constructed and
maintained in a manner that minimizes
The width of a wetland buffer zone is disturbance of the wetland or buffer. Trails or
determined according to wetland category. facilities within wetlands placed on an elevated
Buffers do not include areas that are structure as an alternative to fill.
functionally and effectively disconnected from
the wetland by a road or other substantially Flooding
developed surface of sufficient width and with
use characteristics such that buffer functions A floodplain is an area of land adjacent to a
are not provided. stream or river that stretches from the banks
of its channel to the base of the enclosing
Buffer standards presume the existence of a valley walls, and which experiences flooding
dense vegetation community in the buffer during periods of high discharge.
adequate to protect wetland functions and
values. When the buffer lacks adequate Floodplains are formed when a stream or river
vegetation, a city may increase the standard meander erodes sideways as it travels
buffer, require buffer planting or downstream. When a stream or river breaks its
enhancement, and/or deny a proposal for banks, it leaves behind layers of alluvium (silt)
buffer reduction or buffer averaging. that gradually build up to create the floor of
the plain.
The City of Chehalis defines wetland buffer
requirements based on the previously defined A floodplain is flat or nearly flat land adjacent
wildlife function points as follows: to a stream or river that experiences occasional
flooding. Floodplains are formed by erosion
Low Mod High and by aggradation. An erosional floodplain is
Wildlife pointsConsequently, a dike was built on the north mark (OHWM) and the proposed use, or no
shore of Salzer Creek in the 1950s to prevent direct access to the water from the site, or
the annual inundation of all the fair buildings. § Development is part of a mixed-use
However, even with the dike, flooding was not development, or
prevented some years. § The applicant can demonstrate that the
use will not conflict with or limit
In 1972, a break in the dike resulted in flood opportunities for water-oriented uses
damage to the fairgrounds of nearly $500,000. § Development shall result in no net loss of
As a result, many of the damaged buildings ecological function.
were replaced and other buildings gradually § Restore and remediate shoreline areas
modernized. The dike broke again in November within new development sites consistent with
1986, however, with heavy water damage State and Federal laws.
sustained by the fair office. The office was § Require visual and physical access where
relocated, as a result, to a building near the feasible with physical access prioritized over
fairgrounds’ south entrance. visual access.
§ Require sign control regulations,
Centralia’s Shoreline Management Program appropriate development siting, screening and
(SMP) – designates the shoreline along Salzer architectural standards, and vegetation
Creek and the fairground as High Intensity the conservation areas to promote visually
purpose of which is to provide for high attractive uses.
intensity commercial, industrial and
transportation uses while protecting existing Section 5.5.B.7 of Centralia’s SMP regulations
ecological functions and restoring ecological affecting the High Intensity designated areas
functions in shoreline jurisdiction that have require that development in channel migration
been degraded. zones, floodways, and/or in the SMP flood
course is limited to the following that apply to
As a High Intensity non-water use, fairground the fairground:
structures cannot exceed 50 feet unless the
underlying zone allows a high height and non- § Actions that protect or restore the
water-oriented structures must be setback 175 ecosystem-wide processes or ecological
feet. functions; including, but not limited to,
compensatory flood storage.
High Intensity designated shorelines have the § Bridges, utility lines, and other public
following characteristics: utility and transportation structures where no
other feasible alternative exists, or the
§ Can support high intensity uses without alternative would result in unreasonable and
degradation to existing shoreline function. disproportionate cost. Where such structures
§ Designated by the City’s Comprehensive are allowed, mitigation shall address impacted
Plan and zoning for high intensity, commercial, functions and processes in the affected section
industry, multifamily, public, or mixed-use of watershed or drift cell.
development. § Repair and maintenance of an existing legal
§ Existing commercial uses that are use, provided that such actions do not cause
consistent with the underlying zoning. significant ecological impacts or increase flood
hazards in other areas. See Chapter 8 for
Management policies for High Intensity detailed information pertaining to
shorelines that apply to the fairground: reconstruction and/or repair of legal non-
conforming structures or uses.
§ Allow for new non-water-oriented uses § Modifications or additions to an existing
within this designation where at least one of nonagricultural legal use if channel migration
the following apply: is not further limited and that the new
§ Water-dependent uses are not feasible, development includes appropriate protection
because a lake, river, or stream is un- of ecological functions. See Chapter 8 for
navigable, or detailed information pertaining to
§ There is a developed roadway, dike, or reconstruction and/or repair of legal non-
levee between the ordinary high-water conforming structures or uses.
16 SWWF Master Plan§ Development where existing structures Regulations that apply to the fairground
prevent active channel movement and include:
flooding.
§ Measures to reduce shoreline erosion, § Public access shall consist of land
provided that the measure does not interfere dedications, easements, or a physical
with normal hydrological and improvement in the form of trails, walkways,
geomorphological processes and includes bikeways, corridors, viewpoints, parks, decks,
appropriate mitigation of impacts to ecological observation towers, piers, boat launches,
functions. ramps, docks, interpretive centers and
§ Development with a primary purpose of displays, or other areas to serve as a means of
protecting or restoring ecological functions physical or visual access to public waters.
and ecosystem-wide processes. § Shoreline public access shall be required
for the following developments and uses:
Section 5.6 stipulates the following public § Recreational.
access policies that apply to the fairground: § Developments conducted or funded by
public entities, including local
§ Encourage and seek opportunities to jurisdictions, State agencies, port districts
protect, increase and/or enhance the public’s and public utility districts.
access to shoreline areas.
§ Public access should be regulated with the The Federal Emergency Management Agency
following priorities unless found infeasible: (FEMA) - defines floodplains according to
§ Maintain existing accesses sites. varying levels of risk. Risk zones are depicted
§ Provide new or enhance existing public on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map
access sites on existing public lands and (FIRM) or Flood Hazard Boundary Map. Each
easements. zone reflects the severity or type of flooding in
§ Acquire property or easements to add the area.
public access sites or to protect areas that
hold unique value for public enjoyment. In communities that participate in the National
§ Require public access sites as part of Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), flood
shoreline developments for new or insurance is available to all property owners
expanded commercial, industrial, and renters in moderate to low-risk zones
recreational, and multi-family or multi-lot designated on the Flood Hazard Boundary Map:
residential developments. Public access
requirements should be commensurate FEMA's floodplain maps are a fundamental
with the scale and character of the element of the flood insurance program,
development. providing a basis for flood insurance rates and
§ Design public access to minimize impacts floodplain management regulations.
to private property, safeguard private property
rights and maintain public safety. Public access A 100-year flood is a flood event that has a 1 in
does not include the right to enter upon or 100 chance (1% probability) of being equaled or
cross private property, except where public exceeded in any given year. Based on the
rights-of-way or easements are established. expected 100-year flood flow rate, the flood
Developments and uses on or near the water level can be mapped as an area of
shoreline should not impair or detract from the inundation. The resulting floodplain map is
public’s access to the water or the rights of referred to as the 100-year floodplain.
navigation and shall be designed in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A 500-year flood is a flood event that has a 1 in
§ Shoreline developments conducted by 500 chance (0.2% probability) of being equaled
public agencies, including local jurisdictions, or exceeded in any given year. When the water
port districts, State agencies and public utility level is mapped, the resulting floodplain map
districts must include public access unless it is is referred to as the 500-year floodplain.
adequately demonstrated that such access is
unsafe, unsecure and/or negatively impacts the FEMA rates flood risks under the following
shoreline environment. zones:
SWWF Master Plan 17You can also read
