Instead of dumping the material in deep water or removing it from the area, workers carefully shaped it into four small islands and a side channel known as the Woodland Islands.Scientists are now studying these artificial islands to find out whether they can provide important habitat for young salmon.The Lower Columbia River is an important transportation route. Young salmon use these slow-moving, shallow areas while traveling toward the Pacific Ocean. The project also reconnected parts of the island chain and created a protected side channel.Workers added compost above the waterline to help plants grow in the new soil. Through early 2023, crews planted native grasses, shrubs, and trees. Since then, natural river currents have continued to change the shape of the islands.