Logjam Removal

In the beginning

Logjams have likely been around since trees first got uprooted in prehistoric times. We seem to view these obstructions as major problems and set forth to remove them, sometimes without understanding the role they play. While it is worthy to consider that in the big picture of history, removal or maintaining of these jams will not change the fate of a river system, it doesn’t address some valid immediate concerns. (We make no apologies for some of the points we note here, no matter how insignificant or simple they may seem)

Reasons for not removing

• Removing cover or habitat for juvenile fish
• Adverse changes in river flow or direction
• Compounding structural problems above or below original jam
• Downstream debris pollution from sawing and removal

Reasons for removing

• Alleviating further bank erosion
• Enhancing migration of fish
• Restoring appropriate river flow
• Reducing temperatures due to stagnation
• Enhancing cold water habitat for juvenile fish
• Reducing harmful bacterial levels due to elevated temperatures and stagnation

Logjam components

• Logs of various sizes – can be new or old and water-logged
• Smaller vegetative components including branches, twigs etc
• Established jams may have visible plant growth possibly indicating entrenched or submerged structure
• Man-made components and refuse
• Silt, mud or sand covered sub-structure

Pre-removal assessment

(It is very important to assess a logjam prior to removal)

(This should be done before consideration and well in advance of the day of removal) Why?

• Impact to river system due to changes in flow
• Impact to water use above and below. Reduced flow can affect water intakes upstream or complicate intake downstream due to increased debris.
• In consideration of removal, get prior approval from river or conservation authority
• Inform water intake owners above or below the removal, well in advance
• Impact to established ecosystem at, above and below jam
• Determine resources needed (i.e equipment, human and time)
• Determine most efficient and realistic goals of accomplishment. Don’t burn out your crew. More than one day may be required.
• Determine access or clear site to facilitate access prior to jam removal
• Taking “before” photos will often assist in assessment

Equipment Needed

• Heavy duty block and tackle (sometimes referred to as a come-along)
• Axes
• Bow saws
• Heavy duty pry-bars
• Heavy-duty braided rope and cable
• Chains ( for come-along extension)
• Heavy duty chain saws, fuel, oil, replacement chains and sharpening tools (safety-rated approved protective clothing and gear. Take saws out of river to adjust or sharpen, as you will lose files, wrenches, nuts, bolts etc)
• Protective carrying cases for chain saws to eliminate intrusion of sand and grit while transporting
• Winch with wire cable if solid fixing can be managed
• Protective clothing, shoes, gloves, hats and eye-wear (if handling chainsaws, Kevlar or special rated clothing or gear)
• DO NOT WEAR WADERS as these will be hazardous while you work
• Drinking water (Dehydration can occur even while working in water)
• Sunscreen
• Change of clothing

Other items and notes to consider

• Prior approval from river or stream authority
• Prior written notification of adjacent and nearby landowners or water users
• Work with stream authority staff to properly adjust or re-route flow
• Do not work in high water conditions
• Insurance - (Make sure you have adequate liability and injury insurance. For many years, and even more so since “9-11”, the risks to you, your staff and others are numerous, onerous and substantial…and they are real! You may be able to get insurance from your conservation authority or natural resources office). Be insured before you start.
• Knowledgeable, experienced project overseeing foreman/foremen
• Employ experienced chain saw and heavy equipment staff
• Quality first-aid kit(s)
• First-aid certified person to manage injury
• Cell phone or two-way radio contact
• Notification of emergency services in case of injury
• Knowledgeable point person for chainsaw/ equipment adjustment (should be on river bank)
• Overview of strategy and plan to all work staff on the day of and prior to removal (make sure everyone knows their roles)
• Refresh your workers with rotation and breaks
• Be aware of any workers with health related issues or open wounds. Take extra precautions to re-position these workers especially out of the water and work zone.
• Check list to account for tools before leaving site
• Camera (digital if possible) to document worksite before, during and after the project

Some points to remember about chain saws

• Be “chain saw safe”. Wear protective gear and have 360‹ vision awareness
• Kevlar chaps, gloves and arm protected shirts are a must
• Hard hats with visors and protective sound-deadening ear muffs also a must
• Have your chain saw staff attend a course on chain saw operation through your supplier
• Work with your project foreman to maximize safety
• When not cutting, depress the break bar down while in idle or better still shut the saw off.
• Don’t spare the power. Get appropriate power and bar length to do the job.
• Chainsaws can cut logs under water but be knowledgeable about equipment adjustments to handle water. Water is not a coolant or lubricant and will adversely affect continued saw use. Be aware of silt and sand, as these will quickly dull your saw chain. Biodegradable lubricants are available to keep your efforts eco-safe.
• Chain saws will bind in water and often chains can be stretched off the blade of the machine, permanently ruining them. Carefully use plastic wedges or even pry-bar to free “stuck” saw blades.
• Running a chain saw loose will quickly and severely dull a chain to the point of irreparable damage. Make sure the chain is adjusted and tightened immediately.
• Make sure the lubrication channels on the blade are free of impediment or your saw will burn out.
• You will have to adjust your oil mechanism to “high” to accommodate extended water use.
• Despite increased oil flow, chains will tighten up in water and must be adjusted or your motor will burn out.
• To adjust chain take saw away from water and loosen two side bar nuts slightly. Tighten chain adjustment screw with flat head of wrench while the blade bottom is pushing down on a clean surface and the re-tighten the two nuts.
• Saws that get jammed in cuts, often do because long logs will bend downward while being cut. Make sure that that appropriate cuts occur in a “V” at the top and then before too long, similarly cut a “V” at the bottom.
• Extra wrenches, files, nuts and chains are a good investment, as you will have a great deal of downtime without them. A power sharpener is also a good investment.

Removal

• Break up your project into 4 components and crews. These are:
  1) Support crew and equipment maintenance on river bank near main extraction. Take saws for sharpening and adjustment here.
  2) Main extraction crew employing chain saws and manual labour
  3) Middle crew below extractors, to channel cut logs quickly downstream, sometimes employing more chain sawing and often throwing smaller branches to the riverside
  4) Lower crew to remove logs out of flood plain and make sure no logs float downstream to create further problems
• The main extraction should be at the downstream part of the jam. Simply put, you will have to work branch-by-branch and log-by-log. It is important to make sure you cut the logs in small 2-3 foot sections so middle and lower extractors/ removers can easily eject logs out of the flood plain.
• At the main extraction, it is important to work slowly but methodically as walking, working and functioning on wet round logs is dangerous especially while handling heavy equipment.
• Extraction and removal crew will work back into the jam upstream piece by piece
• Be very careful with heavy-duty equipment and saws when extracting and cutting, as submerged and hidden sharp metal may be present.
• Heavy-duty chain or thick-rope for block and tackle will often free large silted or impacted logs.
• Heavy duty pry-bars are invaluable to assist in numerous jobs
• As stream flow increases impacted logs will often free up
• Pure muscle and teamwork will often move even the largest of logs
• If re-routing is required, make sure river authority gives approval (All the more reason to have an authority at your work project)
• Clear jams sufficiently to remove points of re-establishment but do take into consideration cover for juvenile and adult fish.
• Do not let logs float out of control downstream as your freed logs will jam elsewhere and create other problems!

Completion

• Make sure everyone is accounted for and is okay
• Make sure your tools and gear are accounted for
• Use products such as WD 40 to drive out water from rust prone parts and equipment, immediately after use.
• Clean and dry your saws and equipment thoroughly, immediately after completion of work
• Leave your work site clean and as close to ecologically stable as found
• Assess and cross check your work efforts with the river authority
• Take some final pictures of the project
• Touch base with landowners and water users so they can resume activities
• Revisit the site over the upcoming weeks, months and year to assess the success of the job
• Have your equipment overhauled and prepared for the next project

For more information please feel free to contact us