King County uses horsepower to move wood in Carnation

Hooves, not heavy equipment, used for low-impact work on channel reconnection project near Camp Gilead

King County is employing a team of two Belgian horses to drag logs through the woods and create fish and wildlife habitat alongside the Snoqualmie River near Camp Gilead in Carnation.

Horses were selected for the project because hooves have a much lower-impact than heavy machinery on the surrounding environment.

“Deciding to use horses because of their low impact on the forest was simply a matter of choosing the right tool for the job,” said Steve Bleifuhs, King County River and Floodplain Management Section Director.

Adding logs to create habitat in a Snoqualmie side channel enhances the Gilead Channel Reconnection Project, which began two years ago. The project reshaped a historic side channel and connected an existing pond, stream and the mainstem channel of the Snoqualmie River. A portion of levee was removed and 400 feet of the river reach was returned to a natural bank configuration.

Wes Gustafson, of The Wood’n Horse Company in Snohomish, is using his team of two Belgian horses – Bob and Clyde – to pull approximately 32 pieces of wood through the forest to the channel over two days – Sept. 22 and 23. A short temporary haul trail was created, consisting predominately of salmonberry, snowberry and fern which can regenerate quickly. The trail will be restored and replanted by King County this winter.

This habitat enhancement work is funded by the King County Flood Control District.

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The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County. The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.