On March 10 and 11, 2026, as part of the Huu-ay-aht Watershed Renewal Program, the Lands and Natural Resources department participated in riverbank stabilization work along the South Sarita River. This effort involved willow live staking and alder transplanting to support riparian restoration.
The Sarita River, known as “The Heart of the People”, is one of the most important rivers in the Huu-ay-aht ḥaḥuułi. It has historically been the home to numerous villages, and several families continue to reside nearby today. However, extensive logging in the 1950s – 1960s left much of the watershed with little to no intact riparian habitat. In addition, a critically aggraded section of the streambed – where sediment buildup has raised the riverbed elevation – now blocks the passage of returning Chinook Salmon spawners up the South Sarita River.
Although some natural re-vegetation has occurred over time, bioengineering techniques such as ‘live staking’ can accelerate channel stabilization. These methods help reduce streamflow velocity, allowing for the deposition of organic materials and sediment. Over time, this process contributes to soil formation and supports the establishment of healthy riparian vegetation.
Working alongside LGL Environmental Consulting, the Huu-ay-aht Lands and Natural Resources team gained hands-on experience installing live willow stakes in sensitive areas to stabilize the riverbank. The team learned to identify plant species, prepare willow cuttings, and apply both hand- and excavator-based planting techniques. Alder saplings were also transplanted into a higher-elevation gravel bar within the South Sarita River to monitor the success of this restoration approach.
The goal of this project is to build knowledge and capacity in stream restoration techniques and to put them into practice. In the long term, these efforts aim to enhance riparian vegetation along the Sarita River and create deeper, cooler channels that better support the return of salmon.
Learn more about the Sarita River here: The Sarita River – Huu-ay-aht
Photos by A. Andiel.
PROJECT PROPOSAL SUMMARY
This project is the culmination of 7 years of investment under the Huu-ay-aht Watershed Renewal Program. The program revealed a critically aggraded area of that blocks the passage up the Sarita River of returning Chinook Salmon spawners. Work proposed elsewhere will produce restoration designs to improve fish passage. Concurrently, we propose initiating live stake planting of upstream of the impediment to the stabilize the substrate, slow sediment transport, retain debris and aid in soil formation. Harvesting and planting live stakes will be part of future restoration designs. This project will provide the requisite initial trainings to HFN Natural Resources staff.