Work is nearly complete on a project to create a more salmon-friendly environment on the South Fork of the Ten Mile River. Four sections of the South Fork have been outfitted with engineered log jams, with a seasonal pond built south of the river to capture rainwater. These attributes are designed to mimic historic flows and give young salmon places to shelter as they reach maturity. California Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program contributed $1.7 million for this project in 2015. The S. L. Gimbel Foundation provided an additional $1 million. Construction of the log jams required the contractor, Wylatti Resource Management, harvested trees, sharpened them like pencils and then used a vibrating plate mounted on a bulldozer to push them 15 to 20 feet below ground at various angles. Samara Restorations of McKinleyville has started replanting areas disturbed during construction with local willows, alders, ash and maple trees as well as two dozen types of shrubs, vines and grasses. Trout Unlimited is tasked with designing the monitoring program. Landscape Architect Mike Jensen explains the purpose of the hammerhead tree and how the water will flow to enter the salmon feeding pond during heavy rains. Fort Bragg Advocate-News. Learn More © Fort Bragg Advocate-News