appendix i Watersheds

appendix I: watersheds contents

Watersheds Index...... 233 Watersheds...... 235 1. Clackamas River Subbasin...... 235 2. Lewis River Subbasin...... 240 3. Lower Columbia – Clatskanie Subbasin...... 246 3a. Cathlamet Channel - Columbia River...... 247 3b. Kalama River - Frontal Columbia River...... 251 4. Lower Columbia – Sandy Subbasin...... 255 4a. Sandy River...... 255 4b. Washougal River...... 261 4c. The City of Washougal – Columbia River...... 265 Overview of the Willamette River Watershed...... 269 5. Johnson Creek Watershed...... 272 6. Salmon Creek – Frontal Columbia River...... 276 7. Scappoose Creek – Frontal Columbia River Watershed...... 280 8. Willamette River – Frontal Columbia River Subbasin and Hayden Island-Columbia River Watershed...... 284 9. Abernethy Creek–Willamette River Watershed (Greater Oregon City)...... 290 10. Chehalem Creek–Willamette River Watershed...... 294 11. Molalla-Pudding Subbasin...... 297 12. Tualatin Subbasin...... 303

233 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

FIGURE I-1 Watersheds I. Watersheds H appendix St. Helens LaCenter F I K Ridgefield

Battle Scappoose Ground

J

Vancouver Banks

Camas Washougal Portland D Forest L Grove Hillsboro G Cornelius M Troutdale Gresham

Beaverton Happy Milwaukie Valley onservation biology is scale dependent. As Portland-Vancouver region (as defined in this Damascus Tigard Lake one zooms in from the scale of the entire Biogeography Guide and the Regional Conser- The extent of Oswego C the Intertwine E Sandy Earth down to continents, countries, and states vation Strategy) we try to distinguish between region was defined Tualatin Sherwood to encompass the Oregon and further down to neighborhoods and even issues relevant in the entire watershed and those City Portland-Vancouver backyards, the ecological role, function, and relevant to the area within the greater Portland- metropolitan area and its Newberg Wilsonville importance of the geography being viewed Vancouver region. Table I-1 lists the watersheds surrounding landscapes C Estacada and watersheds. It connects A keep changing. What is critically important at in the region. with, but largely excludes, B Canby one scale may not be at larger or smaller scales. the main Cascade and Coastal Ranges and the heart of the Providing an understanding of the importance, 1. Clackamas River Subbasin Willamette Valley; these areas are ecology, and connection to watershed and land- well represented by previous Cheryl McGinnis, Clackamas River Basin Council, scape health at multiple scales was an important prioritization efforts. This map Woodburn Molalla and Carol Murdock, Clackamas County Water depicts the watersheds reported on in I motivation in developing the Regional Conserva- the RCS report, which include HUC Environment Services tion Strategy and Biodiversity Guide. This chapter sub-basins, partial sub-basins, and watersheds. The region includes eight HUC-4 sub-basins; in the presents the view at the scale of the individual Includes these named USGS HUC watersheds: case of two—the Lower Willamette and the Middle Willamette—we watershed (USGS HUC 4 and HUC 5; see Chap- chose to report on the watershed (HUC-5) level. Eagle Creek ter 1). Some issues are common among many or Lower Clackamas River all watersheds; however, given the geographic and RCS Defined Watersheds socio-economic diversity within the region, each HUC 5 watersheds are lightly outlined * Represents a partial sub basin G - Lower Columbia-Sandy Sub Basin* (217,500ac) Lower Clackamas River watershed also has unique elements and chal- The Clackamas River subbasin is located in A - Abernethy Creek-Willamette River Watershed (87,000 ac) H - Lower Columbia-Slatskanie Sub Basin* (22,000ac) lenges. Clackamas and Marion counties, Oregon, east B - Chehalem Creek-Willamette River Watershed (78,000 ac) I - Molalla-Pudding Sub Basin* (181.000ac) The short descriptions of watersheds in this and south of the Portland metropolitan area. The C- Clackamas Sub Basin * (158,500 ac) J - Salmon Creek-Frontal Columbia River Watershed (131,500ac) chapter are introductions that lead to other Clackamas River is a tributary of the Willamette D - Hayden Island-Columbia River Watershed (18,500 ac) K - Scappoose Creek-Frontal Columbia River Watershed (181,000ac) resources that have been developed by local, state, River that enters the Willamette at approximately E - Johnson Creek Watershed (60,000 ac) L - Tualatin Sub Basin (453,500ac) and federal organizations and agencies (espe- River Mile (RM) 25, the last major tributary cially watershed councils in Oregon). Where a F - Lewis Sub Basin* (221,000ac) M - Willamette River-Frontal Columbia River Watershed (78,000ac) stream downstream of Willamette Falls. Eleva- watershed crosses the boundary of the greater tions in the watershed range from approximately 234 235 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

table 9-1 Watersheds in the Greater Portland-Vancouver Region, Organized by U.S. Geological Survey Subbasin n Has 4,228 acres within Federal Emergency having relatively flat or rolling topography. A few Subbasin Watersheds Included in the Watershed Acres Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year flood- buttes (such as the Boring lava domes) occur in Greater Portland-Vancouver Region within the Region plains. this area. Clackamas 1. Clackamas Subbasin (partial) 158,300 n Includes about 1,500 acres of mapped Western Cascades Lowlands and Valleys. This area Lewis 2. Lewis Subbasin (partial) 220,800 wetlands. includes most of the mainstem Clackamas River Lower Columbia – Clatskanie 3. Lower Columbia-Clatskanie Subbasin (partial) 22,000 and floodplain upstream of River Mill Dam; the The majority is privately owned, although agen- upper extent of the Deep, Clear, and Eagle creeks; Lower Columbia – Sandy 4. Lower Columbia-Sandy Subbasin (partial) 217,200 cies including the U.S. Bureau of Land Manage- North Fork Eagle Creek; and the lower elevation Lower Willamette 5. Johnson Creek 60,100 ment, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Parks and portions of the middle and upper Clackamas Recreation Department, and Metro own some 6. Salmon Creek-Frontal Columbia R 131,400 tributaries, i.e., Fish Creek, Roaring River, Oak significant natural areas in the region. Portions of Grove Fork, Collawash River, and Hot Springs 7. Scappoose Creek-Frontal Columbia R 123,100 the cities of Sandy, Gladstone, Oregon City, Es- Fork. The area is characterized by low mountain 8. Willamette R-Frontal Columbia R 78,700 tacada, Happy Valley, and Damascus are located ridges, buttes, valleys, and medium-gradient riv- (includes Hayden Island – Columbia River) (Willamette R-Frontal Columbia) within the Clackamas subbasin. ers and streams. 18,600 A variety of habitat types can be found in the Humans have occupied the Clackamas sub- (Hayden Island – Columbia River) Clackamas subbasin. The U.S. Environmental basin for thousands of years. The original Native Middle Willamette 9. Abernethy Cr-Willamette R 87,100 Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the con- American inhabitants were bands from two major cept of ecoregions. Three Level IV ecoregions are 10. Chehalem Creek-Willamette R 78,200 tribal groups, the Clackamas Chinook and the represented within the portion of the Clackamas Molalla-Pudding 11. Molalla-Pudding Subbasin (partial) 181,000 Northern Molalla. Populations of both tribal subbasin that falls within the greater Portland- groups were decimated in the early 1800s by a Tualatin 12. Tualatin Subbasin 453,200 Vancouver region: prairie terraces, valley foot- series of epidemics thought to have been brought Total 1,829,600 hills, and Western Cascades lowlands and valleys. to the area by fur trappers. The Clackamas Prairie Terraces. This area, which is located along Chinook primarily occupied the lower lying and the Clackamas River downstream of River Mill northern parts of the subbasin, while the North- Dam, consists primarily of the lower Clackamas ern Molalla occupied the higher elevation and 10 feet, at the confluence with the Willamette Clackamas Subbasin (partial) mainstem and lower tributary areas. This area southern parts. 158,279 acres River, to more than 7,200 feet, at Olallie Butte is nearly level, slightly depressional, or includes Historically, the Clackamas Basin was about located along the southeast boundary of the sub- Land cover % of Watershed undulating fluvial terraces with sluggish, mean- 65 percent conifer forest and 27 percent prairie basin. The subbasin totals 941 square miles, of dering tributary streams. Historically, seasonal and savanna, with only about 3 percent oak. Most Agriculture 22% which about 250 are within the greater Portland- wetlands and ponds were common. Many streams of the oak and approximately 20,000 acres of regen. forest 3% Vancouver region. are now channelized (for example, portions of prairie and coniferous forest were converted to Developed 8% Land cover in the entire Clackamas subbasin is Goose and Foster creeks), as is the mainstem of agriculture, while about 10,000 acres of conifer predominately (90 percent) forest and shrubland. Low Veg 7% the Clackamas River. forest and the remainder of oak and prairie were converted to urban cover in portions of Clacka- tree Cover 59% Valley Foothills. This area includes the headwater Key Facts: The Clackamas subbasin within the mas, Boring, Estacada, Gladstone, and Sandy. A portions of the lower Clackamas tributaries, Rock Water 1% greater Portland-Vancouver region: 42 percent increase in the area covered by water and Richardson creeks, and the lower portions of Includes 59 percent tree cover, behind only the in the basin could be attributable to classifica- Forest Patches* 55% Clear, Deep, and Eagle creeks. The area is charac- Lewis and Lower Columbia-Sandy subbasins. tion error, but it may also reflect the creation of Jurisdictions terized by rolling foothills with medium-gradient Regionwide, the average percent tree cover is 49 flooded gravel pits near urbanized areas. sinuous streams that are deeply incised in some Estacada 2% percent. The Clackamas supports a significant popu- areas. The areas of greatest relief often occur in Metro UGB** 9% lation of winter steelhead, resident and anad- n Contributes 8 percent of the total area but 11 the lower to middle portions of these watersheds, romous cutthroat trout, and native lamprey. Sandy 1% percent of the region’s forest patches (of which where the largest streams have incised into the 1 The subbasin also sustains one of the last two Rural 88% 15 percent is publicly owned). underlying geology, with the headwater areas

*Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. n Is only 9 percent publicly owned. 1 The lower lying areas of the Clackamas subbasin were inundated during a series of floods—the “Missoula” or “Bretz” floods— **Cities in Portland area UGB. during the last ice age The floods deposited a relatively thick layer of loose boulders, rocks, and soil. As a result, for some Clacka- mas tributaries, headwaters initiate on the buttes or in flatter areas and create deeper canyons close to the mouth of the stream. 236 237 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

In many locations, important channel features acres of parks, open spaces, and natural areas that areas, and reduced use of chemicals. such as side channels and pools have been lost or contributing significant habitat and connectivity The highest priority areas for restoring aquatic disconnected. in or near urban areas. and riparian functions are the mainstem of the In addition to anadromous salmon, the Several entities are working to protect natural Clackamas River below and above River Mill Clackamas subbasin supports a diverse array areas on the forested “East Buttes” that provide Dam. Large sections of the river, particularly of wildlife, including elk, deer, northern flying important habitat for elk, birds, and other below the dam, are disconnected from the flood- squirrel, spotted owl, bald eagle, osprey, bats, wildlife. These buttes loop up from the Clackamas plain and have reduced floodplain and riparian about 250 native bird species, and a good selec- River to some Johnson Creek headwaters and vegetation composition and extent. There is lim- tion of reptiles and amphibians. Plant and animal then back down to the river, providing critical ited large wood in the river system and extensive species in the subbasin that are considered to be wildlife connectivity between watersheds and to loss of historical backwater habitats, including sensitive, threatened, or endangered at state or the mainstem. Deep, Eagle and Tickle creeks con- side channels and alcoves, which are important to federal levels include the following: nect to large habitat areas to the south and west, salmon. Key lower subbasin watersheds for anad- n Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) including the Sandy River subbasin; connections romous and resident trout production (particu- remaining wild late-fall coho runs in the lower to the latter are in need of improvement. The larly cutthroat trout) are Clear, Foster, and Eagle n Nelson’s sidalcea/Nelson’s checkermallow Columbia Basin. This run, which is part of the Clackamas River provides an east-west corridor. creeks. Restoring channel complexity is a priority (Sidalcea nelsoniana) Lower Columbia River coho salmon evolution- Rock Creek is the key movement corridor run- in the lower and middle Clackamas River; Clear, arily significant unit (ESU), was federally listed n Northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis ning north-south from the Clackamas River to Foster, Deep/Goose, Eagle and Wade creeks; Oak as threatened in 2005. The Lower Columbia caurina) the East Buttes. The creek lies between developed Grove Fork; and the Collawash River. areas to the west and new urban areas slated for Many of the subwatersheds in the lower basin River steelhead and Chinook ESUs were listed as n Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri) threatened under the federal Endangered Species development, and it is in need of restoration in have been developed, and the loss of wetlands n Act in 1998 and 1999. The Clackamas River Basin White-topped aster (Seriocarpus rigidus) some areas. and increased amount of impervious surfaces Action Plan, the Willamette Subbasin Plan,2 and n White rock larkspur (Delphinium Despite the relatively undeveloped condition have changed hydrologic processes. Restoring riv- current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife leucophaeum) of much of the Clackamas subbasin, invasive er and stream-associated wetlands that contribute recovery planning 3 have identified the Clackamas species constitute a serious threat to fish and to aquatic habitat and floodplain connectivity, n Peacock larkspur (Delphinium pavonaceum) as critical habitat and one of the highest priorities wildlife habitat. It will be important to continue particularly in the Lower Clackamas River, Rock for recovery of the Lower Columbia River and n Howellia (Howellia aquatilis) ongoing efforts to control and eradicate inva- and Richardson creeks, Lower Clear Creek, Foster Willamette ESUs. sive weeds such as Japanese knotweed, spurge Creek, Deep and Goose creeks, and Wade Creek Although most of the watershed within the Limiting factors for anadromous salmon laurel, garlic mustard, Himalayan blackberry, is a high priority. Important actions include greater Portland-Vancouver region is privately identified in the Clackamas River Basin Action false brome, Scot’s broom, and purple loosestrife. managing stormwater in developed areas and owned, some important blocks of habitat and Plan include lack of habitat complexity and off- There are opportunities to address this problem restoring river- and stream-associated wetlands wildlife connectivity areas have been preserved. channel habitats, sediment, hatcheries, hydro- through outreach, education, and targeted weed that contribute to aquatic habitat and floodplain Milo McIver Park includes 951 acres of lawns, power turbines, water temperature, bacteria, fish eradication in collaboration with the Bureau of connectivity. There are opportunities to restore public amenities, and substantial wooded areas passage, nutrients, flow, pesticides, and inad- Land Management, the Four County Coopera- degraded riparian/floodplain habitats between on natural terraces above the Clackamas River. equate macroinvertebrates. Historically, lower tive Weed Management Area (CCWMA), Metro, high-quality areas, which would create corridors BLM and Forest Service lands, including a small Clackamas streams played a key role in contribut- Oregon Department of Agriculture, Clackamas across watersheds. portion of the Mt. Hood National Forest, are scat- ing to the subbasin’s fish population abundance Soil and Water Conservation District, and U.S. tered throughout the subbasin. Metro acquired Current Salmonid and Water Quality Improvement and diversity. Confinement of the lower Clacka- Forest Service. significant contiguous parcels along Clear and Initiatives mas River channel, loss of large wood, reduced In addition, the Clackamas River is plagued by Richardson creeks and on either side of Clacka- n recruitment of rock, and reduced streamside trees water quality issues common throughout the Wil- Water quality monitoring and protection— mas County-owned Barton Park; both of these Clackamas River Water Providers, Oregon and other riparian vegetation has contributed lamette Basin, such as excess mercury and bac- parcels are along key biodiversity corridors. Mt. Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon to the loss of side channels and other habitats teria and elevated water temperatures. There are Talbert Nature Park is currently under restoration Department of Agriculture, Clackamas Soil and important to aquatic life. The mainstem would high levels of nitrate and phosphorous in some of for oak habitats. North Clackamas Parks and Rec- Water Conservation District, Clackamas County benefit from additional side-channel habitat. the Clackamas’s lower tributaries, including Cow, reation District (NCPRD) owns or manages 800 Service District #1 Sieben, Rock, Deep, and Clear creeks. Pesticides n Voluntary Pesticide Reduction Campaign 2 Willamette Subbasin Plan, Northwest Power and Conservation Council, May 2004, http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasin- are an issue and targeted education is needed planning/willamette/plan/Intro.pdf for lower Clackamas River landowners, with an www.deq.state.or.us/wq/pubs/factsheets/commu- 3 See http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/CRP/. emphasis on natural landscaping, wider riparian nity/pesticide.pdf 238 239 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Lewis Subbasin (partial) 220,839 acres n Shade Our Streams n Willamette Basin Restoration Priorities Water- includes more state and federal lands (63 percent http://clackamasriver.org/resources-for-landown- shed Summaries. 2005. Prepared for the Oregon Land cover % of Watershed private, 36 percent state and federal). Most of ers/shade-our-streams Watershed Enhancement Board. www.oregon. Agriculture 13% the upper two-thirds of the subbasin is forested n Bull trout reintroduction http://www.fws.gov/ gov/OWEB/docs/pubs/Rest_Priorities/Willa- regen. forest 12% and typical of the western hemlock vegetation mette_Watershed_Council_Summaries_Dec05. zone; timber harvest is the predominant land use, oregonfwo/species/Data/BullTrout/Reintroduc- Developed 3% tionProject.asp pdf with about three-fourths of the subbasin within Low Veg 5% n the region in tree cover or regenerating forests. n Clackamas County Water Education Team Willamette Synthesis Project. 2009. The Nature Conservancy, Oregon Field Office. Portland, OR tree Cover 64% A 30-square mile area was denuded by the 1980 n PGE shade program. As part of its relicensing eruption of Mt. St. Helens, and forestry and fire 97214 Water 3% agreement, PGE and the Clackamas River Basin result in patchy disturbances over time. Much of Forest Patches* 71% Council will partner to plant riparian vegetation Organizations and Partners — the lower subbasin is pasture and grassland, with along Clear Creek and other tributaries that are Clackamas Subbasin Jurisdictions rural and urban development. Urban develop- important to healthy salmon populations. ment is primarily concentrated in Amboy and n City of Damascus, OR — www.ci.damascus. Battle Ground <1% Woodland in the North Fork, and around Battle or.us/, 503-658-8545 LaCenter <1% Watershed Assessments and Plans — Ground, La Center, Ridgefield, Yacolt, and the I-5 n Clackamas Subbasin Clackamas River Basin Council — www. Ridgefield 1% corridor in the East Fork. The urban population clackamasriver.org, 503-558-0550 n Clackamas County Soil and Water Conserva- Woodland <1% in the subbasin is expected to increase signifi- n Clackamas County — www.co.clackamas. cantly in coming decades. tion District WeedWise Program. www.conserva- Yacolt <1% tiondistrict.org/ or.us/, 503-742-4500 Including: Board of County Historically, the Lewis River subbasin was Commissioners, Water Environment Services, Rural 99% covered almost entirely by coniferous forest n Clackamas County Water Environment Department of Transportation and Development *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. (54 percent) and burned forest (40 percent), with Services / Service District #1 Rock Creek Water- shed Action Plan. 2009. www.riverhealth.org/ n Clackamas River Water Providers — www. only 2 percent prairie and 1 percent oak. It was rock-creek-watershed-documents clackamasproviders.org/, 503-723-3510 Skamania counties. A third subbasin, the Middle the second most heavily forested basin in the n greater Portland-Vancouver region and remains n Clackamas River Technical Working Group Fork Lewis River, lies outside the region. The Clackamas River Basin Action Plan. 2005. so today. Almost all prairie and oak and about http://clackamasriver.org/watershed-assessments/ – A partnership for water quality protection two subbasins drain 164 and 182 square miles, 20,000 acres of conifer forest and burned forest action-plan (Clackamas River Water Providers, Clackamas respectively, within the region. The North Fork’s River Basin Council, Oregon Department of Ag- headwaters originate on the southern flanks of were converted to agriculture, which covers about n National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- riculture, Oregon Department of Environmental Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens, and the river flows 13 percent of the subbasin. Only 2 percent of the istration. 2001. Endangered and Threatened Quality, Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation southwesterly through three impoundments: subbasin is in urban cover (La Center and part of Species: Designation of Critical Habitat for District, municipalities, U.S. Geological Survey). Swift Reservoir (at RM 48), Yale Reservoir (at Woodland). An increase of more than 3,900 acres Threatened Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon of water in the subbasin is attributable to the and Puget Sound Steelhead. www.federalregister. Contact Clackamas River Basin Council. RM 34), and Merwin Lake (at RM 20). The East gov/articles/2011/01/10/2011-283/endangered- n Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation Fork is considered a tributary to the North Fork. and-threatened-species-designation-of-critical- District – www.conservationdistrict.org/, Its headwaters lie in the Gifford Pinchot National habitat-for-threatened-lower-columbia 503-221-6001 Forest, and the river drains primarily through Clark County westward into the North Fork near n Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Woodland, Washington. The high point of the Conservation Strategy. 2006. www.dfw.state.or.us/ 2. Lewis River Subbasin subbasin is at an elevation of almost 12,000 feet, conservationstrategy/ Lori Hennings, Metro and Jeff Azerad, Washington and the low point is near sea level. Extensive n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prairie species Department of Fish and Wildlife meandering, braiding, and channel shifting occur recovery plan. 2010. www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/ in the lower subbasin, with some tidal effects Includes these named USGS HUC watersheds: Species/PrairieSpecies/default.asp from the Columbia River. East Fork Lewis River n Major land ownership includes Washington U.S. Forest Service Roads Analysis and Action Lower Lewis River with support for the Legacy Roads Act. 1999. Department of Natural Resources, federal lands, www.fs.fed.us/eng/road_mgt/01titlemain.pdf Within the greater Portland-Vancouver region, Clark County, and private individuals. The North the Lewis River subbasin consists of two subba- Fork is primarily privately owned (84 percent sins, the East Fork (EF) and Lower (North) Fork private, 16 percent state), while the East Fork (NF) and contains portions of Clark, Cowlitz and 240 241 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

construction of Lake Merwin in 1931, at the of illegal dams and diversions. Water quality the Coyote, Basket, Rock and Lockwood Creek expense of coniferous and mixed forest. information is lacking for other lower Lewis watersheds. The East Fork’s headwaters are char- The Lewis River is the second-largest watershed tributaries. acterized by steep slopes and narrow valleys that in the greater Portland-Vancouver region, making The upper and middle portions are generally are dominated by bedrock and boulder substrates. up 12 percent of the entire region. forested. Stand-replacement fires burned large Copper Creek and upper Rock Creek are the two portions in the subbasin during the first three largest tributaries in the upper subbasin. Key facts about the Lewis River subbasin within decades of the 1900s, including the large Yacolt Stream conditions are generally fair to good the greater Portland-Vancouver region: Burn. The resulting impacts to vegetation and in the upper watershed and poor to fair in the soil stability likely exacerbated major floods in middle and lower watershed. The mid-lower n Has 64 percent tree cover, the highest propor- 1931 and 1934. The lower subbasin lies in a broad watershed is affected by low summer flows, high tion of all the region’s watersheds. alluvial valley characterized by agriculture and stream temperatures, and coliform bacteria, and n Has forest patches (i.e., patches of trees and residential uses, which are largely protected from the mainstem and tributaries are listed on the regenerating forest that together are 30 acres or flooding by dikes. This section is extensively 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. Water bodies larger) that cover 71 percent of the subbasin with- channelized and tidally influenced in some areas. placed on the 303(d) list require the prepara- in the region. This attests to the high proportion The valley begins to narrow for the next 8 miles, tion of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) to of private and public lands managed for timber. eventually forming a canyon from the confluence identify and quantify sources of the impairments of Cedar Creek to Merwin Dam, which blocks and to recommend implementation strategies for n Is 22 percent publicly owned. This represents passage to 80 percent of the historical anadro- reducing point and nonpoint source pollutant about 20 percent of all privately owned lands in the region. mous salmon habitat. loads. The Washington Department of Ecology Historically, the upstream area was a ma- is analyzing temperature and bacteria data and n Includes more than 12,000 acres that are within jor production area coho salmon, spring and is expected to begin holding Advisory Commit- last ice age. Native prairie and oak remnants are FEMA 100-year floodplains and 10,700 acres of fall Chinook salmon, and winter and summer tee meetings to determine the control measures scattered through the western lowlands. Substan- mapped wetlands. steelhead. These species have declined drastically that will be incorporated into the TMDL water tial intact forested areas support diverse wildlife Land use practices throughout the subbasin, in in number, and they are listed under the federal cleanup plan. communities. Agricultural lands, though dis- particular dams, residential development, gravel Endangered Species Act; mitigation programs The East Fork subbasin still retains signifi- turbed, provide important habitat to grassland mining, and agricultural activities, have nega- have attempted to reestablish historical salmon cant populations of salmonids, including chum, birds, small mammals, and other wildlife, as well tively affected habitat conditions in the lower runs, with limited success. However, the North fall Chinook, and coho salmon and winter and as providing some connectivity between natural subbasin. Nonetheless, the Lewis River subbasin Fork mainstem from RM 15 to Merwin Dam summer steelhead, all of which are listed as habitat areas. Invasive species such as knotweed is home to diverse fish and wildlife populations. provides a highly productive spawning area for threatened under the federal Endangered Species are a problem in some riparian areas, and Scot’s People appreciate the kayaking, camping, wildlife fall Chinook salmon. All three reservoirs (Mer- Act. The East Fork mainstem is completely free broom and other invasive species have invaded watching, hiking, and fishing opportunities win, Yale, and Swift) support populations of bull flowing, with no manmade obstructions or dams. some upland areas. Efforts to control invasive offered by the subbasin’s riparian and upland trout and Dolly Varden. In the upper river, three Lucia Falls is a natural barrier, above which only species are ongoing. habitat. streams provide rearing and spawning habitat for steelhead routinely pass. Some tributary streams The Washington Department of Fish and bull trout: Pine and Rush creeks, which flow into have fish-blocking road culverts. Upstream Wildlife’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation North Fork Characteristics. The North Fork subba- Swift Reservoir, and Cougar Creek, which flows migration for steelhead was essentially blocked Strategy identifies specific areas and actions to sin’s watersheds include Fly Creek, Lower Canyon into Yale Reservoir. The North Fork subbasin at Sunset Falls (RM 33) until 1982, when the falls help sensitive habitats and wildlife species. The Creek, Marble Creek, Cedar Creek, and the Lewis also supports cutthroat trout and Pacific lamprey. were notched. Below Lucia Falls the river flows WDFW’s Priority Habitats and Species program River. Stream conditions in the lower North Fork Cedar Creek and its tributaries, including Pup, through a narrow valley that forms a canyon in identifies the mainstem, associated floodplains, subbasin are generally better than in the East Bitter, Beaver, and Chelatchie creeks, currently places, until it opens up around RM 14 into a and major low-lying tributaries as important hab- Fork subbasin because the human population is provide most of the productive tributary habitat broad alluvial valley. itat areas for breeding and over-wintering bald less and more of the subbasin is forested. Water for anadromous salmon. eagles and waterfowl, including concentrations of temperatures at Amboy and at the mouth of Wildlife, Habitat, and Connectivity. The subbasin’s geese, ducks, and wintering populations of tundra Cedar Creek are elevated and potential affecting East Fork Characteristics. The East Fork Lewis River wildlife habitat varies and includes extensive swans. The Woodland bottomlands support large steelhead juveniles. High temperatures have been has its source near Green Lookout Mountain near-stream wetlands, bottomland forest and concentrations of wintering waterfowl, including attributed to agriculture, grazing, water with- in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, eleva- floodplains, scattered intact headwater wetlands, dusky and cackling Canada geese, resident geese, drawals, surface water runoff, residential develop- tion 4,442 feet. The subbasin’s watersheds within and some interesting linear wetland sequences tundra swans, and migrating sandhill cranes. Bea- ment, forestry operations, and the construction the greater Portland-Vancouver region include formed by the Missoula floods at the end of the 242 243 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

the northeastern area of the subbasin. Restoration and Salmon Recovery. Because of The 2010 Clark County Stream Health Report This watershed provides habitat for a diverse remaining salmon populations and tributary recommends the following priority general action group of amphibians and reptiles, including the habitat, the Lewis River subbasin is expected categories for the Lewis River watershed: Cope’s giant, Pacific giant, Cascade torrent, Larch to play a key role in recovery efforts for Lower n Improve wetlands and riparian forest in the mountain, and other salamanders; tailed and red- Columbia River salmon and steelhead, as detailed lower watershed. legged frogs and western toad; the ring-necked in the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s snake, racer, rubber boa and three species of 2010 Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and n Conserve agricultural and forestlands and garter snakes; and the northern alligator lizard. Fish & Wildlife Subbasin Plan. Specific reaches promote healthy practices. The Lewis River subbasin still provides a and subwatersheds in the Lewis subbasin have n Plant trees to increase the amount of forest great deal of connectivity for fish and wildlife, been prioritized based on the plan’s biological cover. and several important habitat and movement objectives, fish distribution, critical life history corridor areas have been protected. The North stages, current habitat conditions, and potential n Minimize the impact of surface and groundwa- Fork and East Fork mainstems are key corridors. fish population performance. North Fork Lewis ter withdrawals in tributary streams. Cedar Creek connects the North Fork and East populations of Chinook and chum salmon will n Restore stream channels and side channels. Fork subbasins. Clark County owns substantial need to be restored to a high level of viability to meet regional recovery objectives. Spring Chi- n ver ponds along Cedar Creek and ponds along I-5 riparian habitat throughout much of the lower Work with rural property owners to eliminate nook recovery will occur in the upper North Fork near Woodland provide important cavity-nesting East Fork in large parcels of designated park land. pollution sources. Lewis, while chum recovery and fall Chinook duck habitat. Winter concentrations of bald eagle The Woodland bottomlands, La Center Bottoms Wildlife Area, and East Fork Lewis River Green- enhancement will occur in the lower North Fork. use portions of the East Fork and North Fork Organizations and Partners — way form a long, wide swath of wetland/bottom- Maintaining stable populations in the East Fork mainstems for perching and foraging. Lewis River Subbasin subbasin is important to recovery efforts. The The Lewis River subbasin provides extensive land habitat that provides key wildlife connectiv- ity and offers many recreational opportunities. subbasin’s stream reaches have been placed into City of Vancouver upland habitat as well. A series of Oregon white 360-487-8600 The greenway connects to the Gifford Pinchot Tiers (1 through 4), with Tier 1 reaches repre- oak patches near the Rock Creek/mainstem con- www.cityofvancouver.us senting the areas where recovery measures would fluence provides key habitat for oak-associated National Forest and other important habitat areas yield the greatest benefits toward accomplish- Clark County ESA Program species, and Martin’s Bluff, north of the Wood- and is recognized as important by city, county, ing the biological objectives. The plan’s 6--year Contact: Bobbi Trusty land bottomlands, includes about 100 acres of and state governments. Several north-south tribu- habitat work schedule identifies salmon-related 360-397-2121 ext. 5268 mixed forest with an oak component. An unusual taries connect the mainstems with large habitat areas. Mason Creek is among one of the most habitat restoration needs. The Lower Columbia [email protected] grassy bald is situated near the headwaters of www.co.clark.wa.us/esa/index.html Fish Recovery Board is working together with Cedar Creek. Grouse Creek, a tributary to Rock important lower East Fork natal salmon tributar- key stakeholders to develop a community-based Clark Public Utilities’ StreamTeam Creek, provides important winter deer habitat ies and constitutes a primary corridor for fish habitat restoration strategy. Restoration projects, 360-992-8585 as well as a snag-rich area important to many and wildlife. Lockwood Creek plays an impor- partner information and selected watershed plans [email protected] wildlife species. Deer, elk, and associated large tant role connecting Missoula Flood wetlands. are available at www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecov- http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/ predators such as cougar are present in many Some areas along these corridors would benefit ery.org. our-environment/stream-team/ areas of this watershed. Washington Department from restoration and protection via acquisitions Active habitat restoration and preservation of Fish and Wildlife’s Washington State Elk Herd or conservation easements. Other parks also Clark-Skamania Flyfishers efforts have been under way for some time now Contact: Richard Kennon Plan calls for maintaining the current level of elk preserve habitat and provide access to nature, by several nonprofit groups, including Fish First, 360-686-3626 winter range along the Lewis River, where the including Lake Merwin, Lucia Falls, Lewisville, Friends of the East Fork, Columbia Land Trust, [email protected] northern area provides important winter range Daybreak and Paradise Point parks. The northern the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, and for the Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier herds of portion of Battleground State Park connects to Cowlitz Indian Tribe Clark County. The relatively new East Fork Lewis Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk. Increasing Salmon Creek, the watershed to the south. Wash- 360-577-8140 mitigation bank will re-establish approximately elk herds are causing some agricultural damage ington Department of Natural Resources owns www.cowlitz.org/ thousands of forested acres in the northern and 100 acres of wetland habitat to offset impacts to in portions of the Yale Valley. WDFW owns the Columbia Land Trust eastern subbasin. critical areas in the rapidly growing portions of Cedar Creek Wildlife Area, an active band-tailed 360-696-0131 Clark County and the cities of Battle Ground, pigeon mineral spring site. Some remnant prairie www.columbialandtrust.org/ Ridgefield and La Center. areas remain, particularly in the eastern water- shed, including Spilyeh and Chlatchie prairies in 244 245 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Lower Columbia–Clatskanie Subbasin (partial) 21,976 acres Gifford Pinchot Task Force n Friends of East Fork Lewis River – Restoration miles—lies within the boundary of the greater Contact: David Jennings projects in planning or under way: www.east- Land cover % of Watershed Portland-Vancouver region. 360-866-7551 forklewisriver.org/river-restoration.html Agriculture 37% The river and its floodplain constitute an www.gptaskforce.org ecological unit of singular importance because of n Gee Creek Watershed Restoration Background regen. forest 2% Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group its size, the diversity of high-quality habitat it pro- Report – includes extensive reference list: http:// Contact: Tony Meyer Developed 10% vides, and its extremely high value for waterfowl clark.wsu.edu/natural/geeCreek.html#state 360-882-6671 Low Veg 5% and shorebirds for breeding, feeding, and migra- [email protected], www.lcfeg.org tion. The area also provides critical connectivity n Landscape Planning for Washington’s Wild- tree Cover 29% Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and for salmon and wildlife. About one-quarter of life: Managing for Biodiversity in Developing Water 18% Watershed Management Areas www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub. the area is terrestrial habitat, made up mostly of Forest Patches* 23% (includes partner organization contacts) php?id=00023 cottonwood riparian forest, shrublands, mudflats, Contact: Bernadette Graham Hudson Jurisdictions and some of the region’s most abundant sand bars 360-425-1552 n Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan in a setting of islands, side channels, sloughs, and st. Helens/ Columbia City 6% www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecovery.org (WRIA 27/28) www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/ shoreline. Invertebrate density and diversity are Rural 94% Northwest Power and Conservation Council wrias/Planning/27-28.html particularly high in such areas, and associated 503-222-5161 or 800-452-5161 *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. shallow- and deep-water habitats are important to n Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish & www.nwcouncil.org/ salmon life cycles. Wildlife Subbasin Plan, Volume The complex of habitats provides a rich PacifiCorp n Includes 10 percent developed land. environment for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other 503-813-6666 n Has 18 percent water coverage (second only to wildlife. Waterfowl form large concentrations in www.pacificorp.com/index.html Lower Columbia – the Hayden Island-Columbia River watershed), 3. the watershed during the winter, including dusky primarily because of its mainstem rivers. Vancouver Watersheds Council Clatskanie Subbasin Canada geese, tundra swans, wigeon, mallards, Contact: Gary Bock n Has lower than average (29 percent) tree cover, pintails, and cavity-nesting ducks. Osprey nest 360-852-9189 Jeff Azerrad, Washington Department of Fish virtually none which is in public ownership. on artificial platforms and wood pilings. The [email protected] and Wildlife, and Lori Hennings, Metro n Has correspondingly low percentages of forest area also supports migrating sandhill cranes and www.vancouverwatersheds.org Includes these named USGS HUC watersheds: patches (23 percent) and interior forest habitat resident and breeding Canada geese. The ripar- Washington Department of Ecology Beaver Creek – Frontal Columbia River (14 percent). ian and floodplain forested habitat along all the 360-407-6000 Cathlamet Channel-Columbia River n Has nearly 9,000 acres within the FEMA 100- islands host a fair number of breeding songbirds www.ecy.wa.gov/ecyhome.html Kalama River-Frontal Columbia River year floodplain and about 2,900 acres of mapped such as song sparrow, Swainson’s thrush, com- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife The Lower Columbia-Clatskanie subbasin is wetlands. mon yellowthroat, and other warblers. 360 902-2200 discussed in two sections below, based on local Historically, this basin was composed of about www.wdfw.wa.gov expertise within watersheds: 3a. Cathlamet Channel – Columbia River 23 percent water (primarily the Columbia River Washington Department of Natural Resources 3a: Cathlamet Channel – The Cathlamet Channel-Columbia River sub- and its large floodplain lakes), 25 percent prairie 360-902-1000 Columbia River watershed basin includes the mainstem Columbia River and www.dnr.wa.gov/Pages/default.aspx 3b: Kalama River – a number of islands within the river. The land Frontal Columbia River watershed bordering the mainstem and islands generally lies Washington State University in adjacent subbasins. Its northern (i.e., down- Clark County Extension – http://clark.wsu.edu/ Key Facts: The Lower Columbia-Clatskanie stream) extent is near Skamokawa, Washington, Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — subbasin within the greater Portland-Vancouver north of Cathlamette Island. The watershed’s Lewis River Subbasin region: southern (i.e., upstream) boundary is just north of Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and adjacent to n Clark County Stream Health Report n Has a relatively high proportion of agricul- the city of St. Helens on the Oregon side, and www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/stream.html ture (37 percent, compared to 22 percent in the region) just north of the Lewis River/Columbia River n East Fork Lewis River Community-Based confluence on the Washington side. Only a small Habitat Restoration Plan www.lcfrb.gen.wa.us/ portion of the watershed—just over 7 square east_fork_lewis_river_community.htm 246 247 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

the watershed does not currently support the fed- According to the Lower Columbia Fish The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s erally endangered Columbian white-tailed deer, Recovery Board’s 2010 Lower Columbia Salmon 2010 plan proposes the following specific goals, the area is within the species’ historical range and Recovery and Fish & Wildlife Subbasin Plan, among others: a reintroduction recently occurred on nearby all Columbia River salmon and steelhead stocks n Restore subbasin valley floodplain function Cottonwood Island. must, at a minimum, pass through a portion of and stream habitat diversity. Removing or modi- On the Oregon side of the Columbia River, the Columbia River subbasins twice during the fying channel control and containment structures directly across from Martin and Burke islands, successful completion of their life cycle. How- to reconnect the stream and its floodplain will are Deer and Goat islands. Deer Island encom- ever, many Columbia River salmon and steelhead restore normal habitat-forming processes and passes more than 3,000 acres and is largely use the lower Columbia River mainstem and reestablish habitat complexity, off-channel habi- undeveloped. The island contains sloughs and estuary extensively, either for juvenile rearing tats, and conditions favorable to fish spawning lakes interspersed with grassy marshes and and emigration or adult migration and holding. and rearing. pasture; it is heavily used by wintering waterfowl, Thus, lower mainstem and estuary conditions n Manage forests to restore watershed processes. bald eagles, purple martins, and a variety of other affect all Columbia River salmon and steelhead The mainstem and estuary are affected by actions wildlife. Goat Island is a narrow, forested island to some degree. Numerous salmon and steelhead in adjacent and upriver subbasins. and savanna, and about 15 percent each 1.5 miles long between Deer Island and the small evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of salmon coniferous forest and burned forest. By 2010, town of Deer Island, Oregon. and steelhead have been listed as threatened or n Help address immediate risks with short-term about a third of the basin had been converted to Further south near St. Helens, Sand Island was endangered under the Endangered Species Act, solutions, such as by building spawning chan- agriculture and 7 percent to urban uses (portions created in the late 1920s from dredge spoils. Now and others are proposed for listing. Altered habi- nels, constructing side channels or engineered log of Saint Helens and Woodland). Agriculture con- largely forested, this island provides recreational tat conditions have increased salmon predation, jams, or remediating contaminants. sumed about 5,000 acres of prairie and savanna opportunities but also high-quality bottomland and competition and interbreeding with domes- n Regulate land use to protect existing and and smaller amounts of conifer and burned hardwood forest and sand bars that are important ticated or nonlocal hatchery fish have reduced restored watershed processes and habitat condi- forest, and urban cover was derived mostly from to invertebrates fish and shorebirds. Sand Island productivity. Fish are harvested in fresh and tions. Projections in all areas of the subbasin are converted conifer forest. About 25 percent of the Marine Park is owned by the State of Oregon and saltwater fisheries. for continued growth in the next 20 years. water features have been filled or drained, and 40 City of St. Helens. The island is accessible only by The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership percent of the riparian forest has been converted. boat and offers docks, picnic tables, nature trails, 2010 plan documents habitat conditions in the (www.lcrep.org) is a two-state public-private ini- Almost all prairie and oak habitats have been and a beach for sunbathing and swimming. estuary and lower mainstem as a function of the tiative that is one of 28 programs in the National converted to agriculture. Water quality issues are well documented in prevailing long-term hydrological conditions, Estuary Program. Using a watershed approach, About 5 miles downstream at the northern the Columbia River (see the watershed assess- including both ocean and river processes. These the Estuary Partnership integrates 28 cities, nine edge of the greater Portland-Vancouver region ments listed at the end of this section), and new hydrological conditions affect all aspects of habi- counties, and the states of Oregon and Washing- are the two largest islands in the area, Burke and strategic frameworks are in place to address tat formation, including sediment movement and ton over an area that stretches 146 miles from Martin islands, which are separated by Martin persistent toxics. The U.S. Environmental Pro- turbidity levels, salinity and nutrient concentra- Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean. The Estuary Slough. The islands are adjacent to the Wood- tection Agency (EPA), Oregon Department of tions and movement, woody debris recruitment Partnership’s primary responsibility is to imple- land bottomlands in the Kalama River-Frontal Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Washington and movement, and production and cycling of ment the voluntary Comprehensive Conservation Columbia River subbasin; together they make Department of Ecology all are working to address organic matter. Water management and channel and Management Plan for the Lower Columbia up a very large habitat patch. Burke and Martin Columbia River pollutants. EPA released a 2010 manipulations, including mainstem hydropower River. The Estuary Partnership’s website includes islands have been largely grazed and converted to toxics reduction action plan in collaboration operation, navigation, and flood control dikes, a mapping tool for enhancement and monitoring croplands. Nonetheless they support significant with Washington and 15 other organizations, and jetty construction and maintenance, and chan- projects, including projects on Deer Island, wildlife populations and are priority habitats Oregon and DEQ developed plans and legisla- nel dredging, have altered the historical flow and Active habitat restoration efforts by the Lower under Washington State’s Priority Habitats and tion to reduce persistent toxics statewide. Major flooding regimes and disrupted habitat-forming Columbia Salmon Recovery Board, the Estu- Species program. Several pairs of bald eagles contaminants include DDT, polychlorinated processes. Restoration of the historical hydrol- ary Partnership, and others are under way. Focal nest in cottonwoods on Martin Island, with a few biphenyls (PCB), mercury, flame retardants (such ogy, and the habitat-forming processes it controls, projects include riparian restoration, instream additional nests on smaller islands to the south. A as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs), will be vital to the restoration of estuary and projects such as off-channel habitat and log-jams, colony of less than 20 nesting pairs of great blue and other toxics that are causing concerns about lower mainstem habitat function and recovery and attempts to restore flow to a more natural heron also have been reported in a cottonwood ecosystem health, human health, and salmon of salmon and steelhead from throughout the regime. stand on Martin Island. Although this portion of recovery in the Columbia Basin. Columbia Basin.

248 249 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Organizations and Partners — Cathlamet n Columbia River Toxics Reduction Plan (2010) n Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s owned timber and agriculture in the upper and Channel–Columbia River Subbasin www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/columbia/ Native Fish Conservation Policy (2003) middle portions of the watershed and rural and Columbia Soil & Water Conservation District toxics-action-plan_sept2010.pdf http://dfw.state.or.us/fish/CRP/nfcp.asp urban development in the lower portion of the 503-397-4555 watershed. Much of the historical wetland and n Comprehensive Conservation and Manage- n Protocols for Monitoring Habitat Restoration [email protected] floodplain habitat has been converted to urban ment Plan for the Lower Columbia River (1999) Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estu- uses, although some large areas are preserved. Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group www.lcrep.org/complete-plan ary (2009) 360-882-6671 www.lcrep.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/ The human population in the watershed is n www.lcfeg.org EPA’s Columbia River Basin website expected to double by 2020, primarily in Vancou- http://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/ n The Columbia River Basin State of the River ver and Battle Ground; this will increase pressure Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Report for Toxics (2009) to convert forest and rural lands to high-density 503-226-1565 n Landscape Planning for Washington’s Wildlife: http://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/ suburban and urban uses. www.lcrep.org Managing for Biodiversity in Developing Areas The Salmon Creek watershed lies along the (A Priority Habitats and Species Guidance n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Bald Eagle Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Pacific Flyway and is critical to migrating and Document) web site www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/ Watershed Management www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub. BaldEagle/default.asp breeding birds. Meriwether Lewis and William Bernadette Graham Hudson php?id=00023 Clark camped near the mouth of Salmon Creek 360 425-1552 n USGS water quality monitoring information on November 4, 1805. Clark purportedly did not www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecovery.org n Lower Columbia River and Columbia River http://wa.water.usgs.gov/cgi/realtime.data.cgi sleep well because of the noise made by swans, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Estuary Subbasin Summary (2002) www. geese, ducks, and other birds nearby. n Washington Comprehensive Wildlife 503-229-5696 cbfwa.org/FWProgram/ReviewCycle/fy2003ce/ The watershed’s stream health and fish and Conservation Strategy www.oregon.gov/DEQ/ workplan/020517LowerColEstuary.pdf wildlife habitat have been affected by urban www.wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/cwcs Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife n Lower Columbia River Bi-State Water Quality and rural development, agricultural practices, 503-947-6000 Studies – compilation of studies available online transportation corridors, and timber harvest. 3b. Kalama River–Frontal Columbia River www.dfw.state.or.us/ www.lcrep.org/lower-columbia-river-bi-state- Salmon Creek currently exceeds state and federal The Kalama River-Frontal Columbia River sub- Washington Department of Ecology water-quality-studies standards for water temperature, turbidity, and basin drains only 15 square miles within the 360-407-6000 coliform bacteria, and tributaries also have prob- n Lower Columbia River Conservation and boundary of the greater Portland-Vancouver www.ecy.wa.gov/ecyhome.html lems with dissolved oxygen and pH. Floodplain Recovery Plan for Oregon Populations of Salmon region. The Kalama River originates in the low connectivity has been lost and streams channel- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Steelhead (Oregon Lower Columbia Plan; the foothills of the southwest Washington Cascades ized. High peak flows and low summer flows are 360 902-2200 final bi-state recovery plan is under development and flows into Lake River, which drains north- key urban issues, so development practices and www.wdfw.wa.gov and is expected to be adopted in 2013) ward from Vancouver Lake into the Columbia stormwater management are important tools www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/CRP/lower_colum- River. Lake River also receiving water from Flume bia_plan.asp in managing future urban growth. Clark Pub- Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — and Whipple creeks. Tributary streams are pri- lic Utilities, Clark County, and the Washington Cathlamet Channel–Columbia River Subbasin n Lower Columbia River Restoration Prioritiza- marily low-gradient meandering systems within Department of Ecology have entered a joint Clark County. Vancouver Lake and Lake River are n Campbell, B.H. 2004. Restoring Rare Native tion framework (2006) http://www.lcrep.org/ agreement to develop and maintain an effective Habitats in the Willamette Valley. A Landowner’s habitat-restoration-prioritization-framework within the historical Columbia River floodplain management strategy for the watershed’s ground- Guide for Restoring Oak Habitats, Wetlands, and are tidally influenced. Burnt Bridge Creek water resources, which supply most of the water n Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish & Prairies, and Bottomland Hardwood and flows into Vancouver Lake and is centered in the to residents and businesses. Wildlife Subbasin Plan (Washington, 2010) www. Riparian Forests. Defenders of Wildlife, West city of Vancouver. The watershed includes the lcfrb.gen.wa.us Habitat loss, fragmentation and invasive Linn, OR. Upper Salmon, Lower Salmon, Lake River-Fron- species are of particular concern in the Salmon n Oregon Conservation Strategy tal Columbia River, Burnt Bridge Creek, and Gee Creek watershed. Native oak habitats and prairies n Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership’s www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/ Creek subwatersheds. are threatened by Scot’s broom. Purple loosestrife online mapping tool (restoration, monitoring, The watershed includes the majority of the and knotweeds affect wetlands and riparian habi- other projects) n Oregon Department of Environmental Qual- urban land areas in the Washington portion of tats. Despite these difficulties, substantial habitat http://maps.lcrep.org/ ity’s priority persistent pollutants website www. the greater Portland-Vancouver region, includ- remains and much has been protected. The deq.state.or.us/wq/SB737/index.htm ing Vancouver, Battle Ground, Hazel Dell, and Ridgefield lowlands extend north-south through Orchards. Land use is predominantly privately most of the western portion of the watershed and

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continue northward to the Lewis and Kalama portion of the watershed northeast of Woodland declines in salmon and steelhead viability, loss of the Port of Vancouver, and Lower Columbia Fish River-Columbia Frontal River subbasins. The area forms the edge of the Mt. Saint Helens elk herd’s tributary habitat quality and quantity accounts for Recovery Board. The Salmon Creek Watershed contains a mosaic of seasonal and permanent wintering range. Although this portion of the the largest relative impact. Key habitats have been Council provides a forum for citizens and orga- wetlands, grasslands, upland forest, riparian cor- Kalama watershed does not currently support isolated or eliminated as a result of dredging, nizations residing in Clark County to participate ridors, and cropland. The watershed also includes the federally endangered Columbian white-tailed channel modifications, diking, filling, and drain- and partner for “on-the-ground” restoration, remnant stands of Oregon white oak. The Wash- deer, the area is within the species’ historical ing of floodplains and wetlands. Hydropower water quality, and advocacy. Clark County’s ington Department of Natural Resources identi- range and a reintroduction recently occurred on operation on the Columbia River mainstem has StreamTeam organizes restoration projects in fies Mankas Prairie, a remnant prairie and oak nearby Cottonwood Island. altered flows, habitat, and migration conditions. the Salmon Creek Greenway, and the Vancou- savanna habitat area in the northeastern portion The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established Altered habitat and competition and interbreed- ver Watershed Council is similarly engaged in of the watershed, as a heritage site, and the upper the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Com- ing with hatchery fish have reduced productivity. plantings, cleanups, and community education. reaches of Weaver Creek include an important plex in 1965, with a total of 5,217 acres set aside The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s Salmon Creek runs through the Washington State mature mixed forest-wetland complex. for wildlife and habitat. Washington Depart- 2010 Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and University campus, and students, professors and Washington’s Priority Habitats and Species ment of Fish and Wildlife owns another 2,730 Fish & Wildlife Subbasin Plan identifies growth partners are engaged in restoration and watershed program identifies the Ridgefield lowlands, acres immediately to the south, in the Shillapoo management, forest, floodplain, and riparian education. Salmon Creek, and major low-lying tributaries as Wildlife Area. The Port of Vancouver also owns restoration and preservation and restoration of high-quality habitat for breeding and overwinter- some important preservation and mitigation watershed processes and habitat conditions as Organizations and Partners — ing bald eagles and waterfowl, including winter areas. Numerous other habitat areas are pro- immediate priorities for salmon recovery and Kalama River-Frontal Columbia River Watershed concentrations of dusky Canada, Canada, and tected through a variety of ownerships, including identifies reach-specific restoration activities City of Vancouver white-fronted geese, and lesser sandhill cranes, holdings along Whipple Creek, Salmon Creek to improve fish habitat. The Clark County 2010 360-487-8600 and wintering and breeding ducks. Agricultural Greenway, and Burnt Bridge Greenway. Stream Health Report recommends the following www.cityofvancouver.us lands in the lowlands contribute to habitat value Several key wildlife movement corridors con- priority general action categories for this water- Clark Conservation District for these species. The area also supports a diverse nect to the Columbia River and adjacent water- shed: increase infiltration and retention of storm- Denise Smee array of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The sheds. The lowlands connect in all directions: water runoff, restore stream and side channels 360-883-1987 sloughs, wetlands, and riparian areas in the bot- west to the Columbia River, north and south to in the middle and upper watershed, implement [email protected] tomlands around the city of Woodland support other watersheds, and to important wildlife areas development regulations to minimize impacts, www.clarkcd.org/index.html cavity-nesting ducks, and this area also is used by such as Burnt Bridge, Cougar Canyon, Whipple, minimize the impact of surface and groundwater migrating sandhill cranes. The riparian and flood- and Flume creeks. Upper Salmon Creek provides withdrawals, promote good septic system mainte- Clark County ESA Program Contact: Bobbi Trusty plain forested habitat hosts a variety of breeding a corridor through urban and agricultural areas nance practices, and work with property owners 360-397-2121 ext. 5268 passerines, including song sparrow, Swainson’s to forest in the upper basin. to eliminate pollution sources. [email protected] thrush, and common yellowthroat. The forested The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s Washington’s Comprehensive Wildlife www.co.clark.wa.us/esa/index.html 2010 Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Conservation Strategy identifies specific areas Fish & Wildlife Subbasin Plan provides a detailed and actions to help sensitive habitats and wild- Clark County Parks & Recreation salmon-oriented characterization of Salmon life species. A recovery plan is in place in this 360-487-8311 [email protected] Creek subbasin. Historically, the Salmon Creek watershed for several threatened or endangered subbasin supported thousands of fall Chinook, prairie species, including Fender’s blue butterfly, Clark Public Utilities’ StreamTeam winter steelhead, chum, and coho. Salmon Icaricia icarioides fenderi (endangered); Willa- Lisa Beranek and steelhead numbers have declined to only mette daisy, Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens 360-992-8585 a fraction of historical levels. Extinction risks (endangered); Bradshaw’s lomatium, Lomatium [email protected] are significant for all of these species, but the bradshawii (endangered); Kincaid’s lupine, http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/ populations in the Salmon Creek subbasin are Lupinus sulphureus, ssp. kincaidii (threatened); our-environment/stream-team/ not considered primary for population recovery and Nelson’s checkermallow, Sidalcea nelsoniana Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group under the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s (threatened). Tony Meyer plan; however, meeting regional recovery goals Active habitat restoration and preservation 360-882-6671 will require that the Salmon Creek populations efforts have been under way for some time now [email protected] be maintained at their current level of viability. by several nonprofit groups, including the City of www.lcfeg.org Although no single threat is responsible for the Vancouver, Clark County, Clark Public Utilities,

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Lower Columbia-Sandy Subbasin (partial) 217,161 acres Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and n Clark County Water Resources Division. 1997. 4. Lower Columbia – Bull Run rivers—are a Watershed Management Lakeshore & Salmon Creek Watershed Areas Plan Sandy Subbasin regionally significant Land cover % of Watershed Bernadette Graham Hudson Clark County watershed protection program. refuge for federally Agriculture 12% 360-425-1552 Vancouver, WA: the Division. listed wild salmon and www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecovery.org Includes these named USGS HUC watersheds: regen. forest 5% n steelhead in the Lower Clark County Stream Health Plan Middle Sandy River Developed 6% Salmon Creek Watershed Council Columbia. Relatively www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/stream.html Washougal River Bianca Streif intact landscapes serve Low Veg 7% Lower Sandy River 360-721-3816 n Clark County stream monitoring information as habitat for diverse City of Washougal-Columbia River tree Cover 64% [email protected] http://www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/moni- species of plants and Water 5% www.salmoncreekwatershed.org toring/streammonitor.html The Lower Columbia-Sandy subbasin is discussed animals while also Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership in three sections below, based on local expertise supporting intensive Forest Patches* 63% n Gee Creek Watershed Restoration Background Loretta Callahan within watersheds: human use and drink- Report http://clark.wsu.edu/natural/geeCreek. Jurisdictions 360-759-4479 4a: Sandy River watershed ing water for much of html#state Camas 2% [email protected] 4b: Washougal River watershed the Portland area. Res- www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/PublicWorks/vancou- n Habitat Conservation Plan information for 4c: City of Washougal-Columbia River watershed toration of free-flowing Metro UGB** 2% verlake/index.htm Washington state-owned and managed wildlife conditions via removal Sandy <1% areas www.wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/ The Lower Columbia-Sandy subbasin is the Vancouver Watersheds Council of Marmot Dam in Vancouver 2% Gary Bock hcp/ region’s third largest watershed and makes up 12 2007 set the stage for Washougal 2% 360-852-9189 percent of the greater Portland-Vancouver region. a basin-scale, collab- n Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan [email protected] orative effort to protect Rural 92% (WRIA 27/28) www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/ www.vancouverwatersheds.org/ Key Facts: The Lower Columbia-Sandy subbasin wrias/Planning/27-28.html and restore the Sandy *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. within the greater Portland-Vancouver region: Washington Department of Ecology for salmon habitat and **Cities in Portland area UGB. 360-407-6000 n Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish & n Ties with the Lewis subbasin for the high- ecological values. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/ecyhome.html Wildlife Subbasin Plan (2010) est proportion of tree cover in a watershed: 64 www.lcfrb.gen.wa.us percent. Geography and Landform Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife The Sandy River flows 56 miles from glaciers 360-902-2200 n Overview of the Lewis and Salmon-Washougal n Has forest patches that cover 63 percent of higher than 6,000 feet on the southwest side www.wdfw.wa.gov Water Resources Management Program Rules the subbasin, suggesting a low degree of forest fragmentation. of Mt. Hood to the river’s confluence with the Clark County Extension (WSU) www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0811006.html Columbia near Troutdale, Oregon, giving the Jennifer Naas n Is 26 percent publicly owned. This is higher n Shillapoo Wildlife Area management plan watershed a total stream network of 680 stream 360-397-6060 than any other watershed in the region and www.wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/manage- miles. The river runs through unconsolidated [email protected] represents nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of all ment_plans/ lahars (i.e., volcanic debris flows) that allow sig- http://clark.wsu.edu/ publicly owned lands throughout the region. nificant channel migration during frequent high- n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Recovery n Has nearly 20,000 acres within FEMA 100-year water events. The Lower Sandy subwatershed, Plan for the Prairie Species of Western Oregon Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — floodplains and 9,100 acres of mapped wetlands. and Southwestern Washington www.fws.gov/ which is entirely within the greater Portland-Van- Kalama River-Frontal Columbia River Watershed n Is about one-quarter publicly owned. oregonfwo/Species/PrairieSpecies/Documents/ couver region is 72 square miles, and the Middle n Clark County Water Quality Division. 1995. PrairieSpeciesFinalRecoveryPlan.pdf Sandy subwatershed, which is partially within the Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed Plan: Clark 4a. Sandy River region, is 54 square miles. Together they drain County watershed protection program. Vancou- Steve Wise, Sandy River Basin Watershed Council almost half the river’s length, from River Mile 30 ver, WA: the Division. to the river’s mouth. The 315,000-acre (500-square-mile) Sandy River Below RM 30, which is the former site of Mar- basin is a dynamic and diverse glacial river sys- mot Dam, the Sandy River Gorge envelops long, tem that spans 6,000 feet in elevation. It supports steep rapids. Below Revenue Bridge (at RM 24), habitat types from Columbia River floodplains the Sandy bends between high bluffs rising more through subalpine forest. The Sandy and its than 200 feet. The Bull Run River, which is locat- major subwatersheds—the Salmon, Zigzag, and ed outside the greater Portland-Vancouver region

254 255 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

but serves as Portland’s water supply, joins the in the 1950s, eventually totaling more than 550 In contrast with the upper watershed, the Sandy at Dodge Park (RM 18). Between Dodge miles. Logging in floodplain and riparian areas portion of the Sandy River watershed that is and Oxbow parks (at RM 13), another gorge converted mixed fir, hemlock, and cedar conifer within the greater Portland-Vancouver region limits road access. The Sandy slows and meanders forests to higher concentrations of alder. This (approximately 23 percent of the watershed) through Oxbow Regional Park and Dabney State reduced shade and recruitment of natural large is primarily privately owned and includes the Park (RM 6) and collects the significant tributar- wood and increased sediment loads into streams. cities of Troutdale, Gresham, and Sandy. Private ies Gordon, Trout, and Beaver creeks. North of Sandy River fish have been harvested since the conservation ownership totals about 2,000 acres, Interstate 84, the Sandy River Delta, which is mid-1800s. By the 1870s, harvesting and habitat which are concentrated along the mainstem owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service, modification had caused declines in salmon and Sandy. Other private ownership is a mixture of totals 1,500 acres at the river’s confluence with the steelhead populations. Spring Chinook harvest agriculture (especially nurseries), small lot forest, Columbia. peaked on the Columbia at 43 million pounds in and residential land. Most streambanks along Streamflow in the Sandy River ranges from 1873. By the 1940s, the harvest of all Columbia the middle and lower Sandy are privately owned, hundreds to tens of thousands of cubic feet per River salmon species was substantially depressed. with residential subdivisions dotting sections second within a single reach. Intense rain-on- along the upper and middle river. Developed snow events cause dramatic flows, movement of Historical and Current Vegetation neighborhoods, manufactured home parks, and glacial and large woody debris, bank erosion, and Historically, the Sandy River subbasin was several private summer camps are located within channel migration, particularly in late winter. covered almost entirely by coniferous forest (82 the lower basin. Agriculture is the designated percent) and burned forest (16 percent), making land use for about 15,000 acres (5 percent of the The Sandy’s vegetative cover falls into 12 cover Native American Use it the most heavily forested basin in the greater watershed), with rural residential and other type categories, as defined by the Oregon Natural Native Americans used the Sandy River for hunt- Portland-Vancouver region. Virtually no prairie zoning designations at 13,545 acres (4 percent). Heritage Program’s Oregon Gap Project. The ing and fishing, and the river formed part of a or oak was recorded in the General Land Office Less than 10% are classified as urban. Sandy Delta alone has seven habitat types, includ- trail system between the Columbia and areas to surveys. Increases in prairie and oak in the eco- Less than 5 percent of the Sandy Basin lies ing forest, savanna, upland and wetland forest the east. Lewis and Clark recorded a Clackamas logical system life form (ESLF) data created for within the urban growth boundary. However, scrub-shrub, and upland and wetland meadow. Indian village near the current site of Portland the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Gap Analysis the human population in most areas of the The Sandy River and its tributaries support a International Airport. Portions of the upper basin Program probably are due to misclassification. Sandy Basin has increased substantially in recent diverse assemblage of 22 native and 19 introduced are currently co-managed with the Confederated About 20 percent of the basin was converted to decades, although it still totals less than 100,000. fish species, including Lower Columbia River Tribes of Warm Springs for harvest of traditional agriculture and 10 percent to urban uses (por- From 1980 to 2000 alone, the combined popula- spring and fall Chinook salmon and coho salmon foods. tions of Gresham, Sandy, and Troutdale), mostly tions of Troutdale, Sandy, and Gresham grew 162 and winter steelhead. Other native fish species within the greater Portland-Vancouver region. percent. of ecological or cultural significance that may Modern Settlement Much of the Sandy Basin remains forested. Recreation is a major human use and impor- be found in the basin include coastal cutthroat The Sandy was a key link in modern settlement Although the lower Sandy is dominated by young, tant economic driver within the basin. Significant trout, Pacific lamprey, mountain whitefish, smelt, transportation routes. Wagon trains first crossed privately owned forest, more than half the basin’s portions of the upper basin are managed for and resident rainbow trout, bull trout, and white the area in 1840, and the Barlow Road officially forest is more than 150 years old, particularly on recreation, and the Sandy provides opportunities sturgeon. The majority of the introduced species opened in 1846. By the early 1900s railroad federal lands in the Bull Run, Salmon, and upper for angling, hiking, swimming, boating, kayak- in the basin are found in the lower river near the service made the Sandy a production zone for basin wilderness. Approximately 74 percent of ing, biking, skiing, and nature study. Salmon and Sandy Delta’s slower, warmer flows. Pacific smelt, timber and gravel. The Mt. Hood Loop High- the basin, including nearly the entire upper basin, steelhead in the Sandy support popular sport which once were a popular game fish, were listed way’s completion in the 1920s created additional is managed by the U.S. Forest Service-Mt. Hood fisheries that account for a large percentage of as threatened in 2010. access, and in 1952 the highway became part of National Forest (approximately 70 percent) and regional angling opportunities. The Sandy and its tributaries represent anchor U.S. Highway 26. The Historic Columbia River the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The habitat for federally listed Chinook and coho Highway follows the Sandy’s lower reaches. Since Salmon River is a tier-one watershed under the Regional Significance salmon and steelhead. The lower mainstem its construction in the 1950s, Interstate 84 has Northwest Forest Plan and is managed for wild Despite significant changes in land use and other reaches of Sandy River are particularly important crossed the Sandy at Troutdale. salmon and steelhead, bull trout, and resident human alterations, the Sandy Basin supports for recovery of late-run fall Chinook, while upper Timber harvest began in the lower Sandy in fish. About 3 percent of the watershed is owned numerous sensitive species. Evaluations by state basin reaches are critical for coho recovery. The the 1850s and had intensified by the early 20th by the Portland Water Bureau and other local, and federal agencies and The Nature Conservancy Sandy River also provides key habitat for native century. Forest Service roads expanded beginning state, and regional governmental entities. has identified as many as 90 species of concern spring Chinook and winter steelhead. The Sandy’s that are or potentially are present in the Sandy. location downstream of the federal dams on

256 257 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

the mainstem Columbia River gives the basin’s and northern red-legged frogs are among eight condition, from the headwaters to the river’s Important Threats populations added significance. The Lewis River amphibians in the basin. The Sandy Delta hosts confluence with the Columbia River. Hatchery Fish in Washington (which also is within the greater numerous rare, threatened, or endangered spe- Until 2010, when a program began to pass Marmot Dam allowed separation of wild and Portland-Vancouver region) is the only other cies, including eight bird species, two amphibian wild fish, a state fish hatchery blocked passage for hatchery fish. Since its removal, the percentage of stream that supports a self-sustaining native fall species, and at least two plant species (and pos- wild fish to the upper 10 miles of on Cedar Creek. hatchery-origin spawners has increased dramati- Chinook population from the Lower Columbia sibly 19 more). On the Sandy Delta, a small dam constructed in cally. In 2010, 70 percent of surveyed spawners on River ESU, and the Clackamas River is the only Mammal species that live in the basin include 1932 separates about 1 mile of the historical main average were hatchery fish, and in some streams other home to a self-sustaining population of Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, black bear, coy- channel to the northeast from the current main the number was 100 percent in some streams; this native Lower Columbia River coho. The Sandy ote, cougar, bobcat, otter, raccoon, beaver, mink, channel. This dam is scheduled for removal in far exceeds the Oregon Department of Fish and River populations of these threatened native fish and wolverine. The habitats adjacent to the rivers coming years. Wildlife’s target of 10 percent. play a critical role to successful recovery in the and tributaries provide important travel corridors lower Columbia Basin. for wildlife movement and dispersal. What Are the Important Protected Areas? Stream Temperature Historical runs of as many as 15,000 coho, Remaining wetlands total slightly less than The Sandy Basin incorporates portions of the Stream shading is generally good in the middle 20,000 winter steelhead, 10,000 fall Chinook, and 6,500 acres, equal to 2 percent of the basin. Wet- Columbia Gorge Scenic Area (at the Sandy Del- and upper reaches of the Sandy River. Agricul- 10,000 spring Chinook have fallen to below 10 lands are most prevalent in the lower and middle ta), state and federal wild and scenic waterways, tural and residential development activities have percent of their historical levels. Wild steelhead Sandy River watersheds, which have 1,534 and federal wilderness, and numerous county, city, altered or disturbed riparian habitat areas. The returns above Marmot Dam averaged less than 1,185 acres of wetlands, respectively. and Metro parks. More than 58 miles of streams effects of those alterations are particularly marked 1,000 between 1981 and 2006, with only around within the basin are designated wild, scenic, or in the lower river: TMDLs are in place for tem- 600 wild winter steelhead returning in 2005 and Undammed: Reversing Historical Impacts recreational under the federal Wild and Scenic perature on the lower Sandy mainstem, Gordon 2006. An average of 1,900 wild Chinook returned As recently as 2008, passage for migrating fish Rivers Act; together, these designations protect Creek, and Beaver Creek (which also has a TMDL between 1999 and 2007. Chum salmon are con- was blocked in three areas for water supply, 18,626 acres of land within these corridors. The for bacteria). sidered extirpated in the Sandy. hydropower generation, and hatchery production. lower Sandy River Gorge is one of the great con- Invasive Species The Sandy hosts several rare, threatened, or Recent actions have begun to restore connectivity served areas near a major metropolitan region. Noxious weeds occur throughout much of the endangered birds, including the iconic northern and function in historically interrupted segments Protection of the lower Sandy began in 1970 Sandy Basin. Japanese and giant knotweed, spotted owl, predators such as the bald eagle and of the Sandy. when the Diack family donated 156 acres to The English and Irish ivy, Scot’s broom, Himalayan northern goshawk, and greater sandhill crane. The City of Portland has managed the Bull Nature Conservancy. A 12.5-mile segment of the blackberry, garlic mustard, and butterfly bush all Great blue herons, eagles, and osprey nest in the Run watershed (28 percent of the Sandy Basin’s Sandy from Dodge Park downstream to Dabney colonize riparian areas disturbed by logging or lower Sandy, and the river provides migratory area) for water supply since 1892. The headworks State Recreation Area was designated a federal development and are widespread in the basin. habitat for neotropical songbirds and water- dam, built in 1922, effectively blocked all fish Wild and Scenic River and a State Scenic Water- fowl. Oregon spotted salamanders and Cascades passage to the upper Bull Run and raised tem- way in 1972, and 58.4 stream miles in the basin Degraded Stream Reaches peratures in the lower river. In 2008, the Portland were designated wild, scenic, or recreational in Following a large flood in 1964, the U.S. Army Water Bureau’s adoption of a Habitat Conser- 1988 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Since Corps of Engineers and local communities joined vation Plan committed the City of Portland to 1995, Metro has acquired 1,300 acres of natural efforts to channelize parts of the Salmon, Zig- investing $93 million in habitat restoration and areas in the lower Sandy, adding to nearly 500 zag, and Sandy rivers and Still Creek. The work protection actions over 50 years to compensate acres owned by The Nature Conservancy and affected the timing, variability, and duration of for habitat blocked by drinking water dams. about 14,000 acres owned by the BLM. Metro also floodplain and wetland inundation in the area Portland General Electric’s Bull Run Hydro- manages the 1,200-acre Oxbow regional park, and led to loss of spawning gravel from some power Project built passage-blocking dams at which is used for fishing, camping, and hik- reaches. The now degraded reaches were especial- Marmot on the middle Sandy River in 1906, ing, and education. Other state, municipal, and ly important for winter-rearing juvenile steelhead and on the Little Sandy River, a Bull Run River county parks are spread throughout the Sandy and Chinook salmon. tributary, to divert water for power production. Basin, from Lewis and Clark State Park near the Alteration of stream channels also altered PGE is voluntarily decommissioning the Bull mouth to the upper tributaries. native vegetation in riparian areas. On the Sandy Run project and removed the Marmot and Little Land transfers associated with the decom- Delta and elsewhere, wetlands were drained and Sandy dams in 2007 and 2008, respectively. These missioning of Marmot Dam in the middle Sandy filled and forests cleared for agricultural pro- efforts largely restored the Sandy to a free-flowing added 1,500 acres to BLM’s landholdings that will duction. Alteration of Columbia River flows for be managed as a BLM Area of Critical Environ- hydropower production also largely eliminated mental Concern. 258 259 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

seasonal floods on the delta, to which cottonwood organized a concerted effort to target prior- n Sandy River Water Trail n Western Rivers Conservancy — gallery forests and associated vegetation were ity areas for restoring large, contiguous areas of http://www.ci.sandy.or.us/index.asp?Type=B_ www.westernrivers.org Josh Kling adapted. riparian and upland vegetation. A basin-wide LIST&SEC={A61B8AFD-E527-4B75-AB89- Other groups working in the Sandy include: early detection and rapid response program is C3DF2CA15D57} U.S. Forest Service Columbia Gorge National Current Conservation Efforts under way, and participating organizations and n Sandy Basin Vegetation Restoration Coalition Scenic Area In 1999, a coalition of governmental and non- volunteers continue plantings on both public and Plan (SBVRC). The Nature Conservancy, Port- 902 Wasco Street, Suite 200, Hood River, OR governmental organizations formed the Sandy private lands. land, OR 97031 (541) 308-1700 River Basin Partners to restore ESA-listed salmon Through 2010, the USDA Forest Service had and steelhead through a collaborative, science- removed almost half the miles of forest road in Organizations and Partners — Sandy River Basin SOLV (Steve Kennett) based approach. The partnership includes more the watershed. General inquiries about the Sandy River Basin 5193 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Suite B, Hillsboro, Partners can be directed to Chair Janet Senior Oregon 97124 than a dozen organizations representing non-gov- at Portland Water Bureau: 503-823-4287. Other www.solv.org; 503-844-9571 ext. 318 ernmental organizations, including conservation Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — SRBP contacts are: and fishing groups, and government agencies. Sandy River Basin Ecotrust Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative The Sandy River Basin Partners have developed The Sandy River Basin Partners Characterization n Clackamas County — (Kate Carone) numerous studies and reports that document Report, Anchor Habitat Assessment, Short-term www.co.clackamas.or.us Steve Hanschka 721 NW Ninth Ave., Ste. 200 Portland, OR 97209 existing conditions, address limiting factors for and Long-Term Aquatic Habitat Restoration www.ecotrust.org/wwri; 503.467.0814 n Columbia Land Trust — www.columbial- species, and provide a framework for restoring Strategies, and other reports are available on line Friends of Mt. Hood andtrust.org Dan Roix habitat for ESA-listed fish species in the Sandy at: http://www.friendsofmounthood.org/fmh.htm Basin. http://www.sandyriverpartners.org/background. n Freshwater Trust — www.thefreshwatertrust. Friends of Beaver Creek The Sandy River Basin Partner’s Anchor html org/ Mark McCollister [email protected] Habitat Assessment and Long-Term Restoration The following plans prioritize actions in the lower http://sites.google.com/site/friendsofbeavercreek/ Strategy specifically identified the Sandy River Sandy River: n Metro — www.oregonmetro.gov Brian Vaughn Friends of Sandy River Delta mainstem corridor as a key area for habitat res- n Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife n Mt. Hood National Forest, USDA Forest http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SRD_MUD/ toration. The area is of very high ecological value (ODFW). 2010. Lower Columbia River Conser- Service — www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood Lisa Norris given the full life history needs of the fish species vation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Populations and serves as an important rearing and migra- of Salmon and Steelhead http://www.dfw.state. n Multnomah County — 4b. Washougal River tory corridor for juvenile and adult salmon and or.us/fish/CRP/lower_columbia_plan.asp www.co.multnomah.or.us Roy Iwai Lori Hennings, Metro and Jeff Azerrad, steelhead. n Bull Run Water Supply Habitat Conservation n National Marine Fisheries Service — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife The Oregon Department of Wildlife’s Lower Plan http://www.portlandonline.com/water/ www.nmfs.noaa.gov Ben Meyer Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan The Washougal River subbasin drains 160 square index.cfm?c=46157 miles within the region. The majority of the for Oregon Populations of Salmon and Steelhead n Nature Conservancy — nature.org/wherewe- identifies the Sandy as key to recovery of the n Oregon Department of Environmental Quality work/northamerica/states/oregon Dan Bell watershed lies within Skamania County; the Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead Sandy River TMDL Analysis Washougal River enters Clark County and drains n ESUs. The recovery plan cites impaired physical http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/tmdls/sandy.htm Northwest Steelheaders — to the Columbia River near the city of Camas. habitat quality and habitat access for the Sandy www.sandysteelheaders.org Mike Myrick The headwaters are in Gifford Pinchot National n BLM Sandy River Basin Integrated Manage- populations of coho, spring and fall Chinook, and Forest. The upper mainstem Washougal flows ment Plan n Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife — winter steelhead, with key threats being related through a narrow, deep canyon until it reaches http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/salem/plans/ www.dfw.state.or.us Todd Alsbury to stream cleaning, straightening and channel- Salmon Falls, about 15 miles upstream from files/SRBIMP_Chapters34.pdf ization, diking, wetland filling, and lack of large n Portland Water Bureau — the Columbia, where the river valley begins to wood. Recommended actions include restoring n Salmon and Steelhead Runs and Related www.portlandonline.com/water Steve Kucas widen. The lower 2 miles of the Washougal River off-channel habitat and access to such habitat, Events on the Sandy River Basin: A Historical are within the Columbia River floodplain. The n Sandy River Basin Watershed Council — particularly side channels, wetlands, and flood- Perspective highest point in the watershed is approximately www.sandyriver.org Steve Wise plains. http://www.portlandgeneral.com/commu- 3,200 feet. Smaller watersheds within the subba- The Sandy Basin Vegetation Restoration nity_environment/initiatives/protecting_fish/ n USDI Bureau of Land Management — sin include Lacamas Creek and the lower, middle, Coalition, led by the Nature Conservancy, has sandy_river/river_history.aspx www.blm.gov/nhp Bruce Zoellick and west forks of the Washougal River. Other tributaries include the Little Washougal River and Shanghai, Cougar, Vogel, Hagen and 260 Canyon creeks. 261 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

The majority of the watershed is privately of riparian vegetation is a key contributor to high that serves as a stronghold for black-tailed deer owned forest that is steeply sloped and man- water temperatures. Total maximum daily loads and an important remnant habitat located within aged for timber harvest. Commercial, industrial, for these pollutants have not yet been established. rapidly expanding development. Lacamas Lake urban, and agricultural land uses are generally Lacamas Creek below Round Lake has low dis- Bottoms provides key habitat for cavity-nesting limited to the lower watershed, which includes solved oxygen and high water temperature. In the ducks and other waterfowl. The Camas Biodiver- the cities of Washougal and Camas. The Lacamas 1970s, Lacamas Lake had excessive phosphorous sity Area includes mature timber that supports Creek drainage includes a substantial amount of loading. The Lacamas Lake Restoration Project high numbers of Vaux’s swifts surrounding Dead rural residential and agricultural land uses, as assisted many landowners in adopting agricultur- Lake. The headwater of North Fork Lacamas well as the two cities. The westernmost portion of al best management practices in order to correct Creek has abundant large snags more than 36 the Washougal subbasin lies within the expand- this problem. Even though specific areas of the inches in diameter. A large federally owned ing Vancouver metropolitan area. Urbanization subbasin have excess nutrients, overall nutrient area—Camp Bonneville Military Reserve—lies is expected to increase in the subbasin, primarily levels are believed to be limited because of the along the Lacamas Creek mainstem and the east through eastward expansion of the Vancouver lack of salmon carcasses. In the 1960s a paper and north forks. The area is primarily natural urban region. In 2000 the human population was mill discharged sulfite-laden wastewater into the forest, although the mainstem Lacamas has a 36,600, but the population is expected to increase Camas Slough, but that water is now treated at relatively narrow riparian area. Lacamas Prairie to 92,800 by 2020. Lady’s Island facilities; sediments, though, may has a rare population of Lomatium bradshawii Historically, the Washougal Basin was com- still be polluted. Two salmon hatcheries, Skama- and is one of the region’s few remaining large wet priorities in this subbasin as protecting intact for- posed of 87 percent conifer forest and burned nia and Washougal, may release potentially harm- prairies. ests in headwater basins, managing forest lands to forest, making it the third most heavily forested ful effluent containing antibiotics and pathogens. The Washougal River riparian corridor sup- protect and restore watershed processes, manag- basin in the region. Oak and prairie or savanna Elevated turbidity may be a problem in Little ports high levels of biodiversity and is an impor- ing growth and development to protect watershed covered about 4 percent and 5 percent, respec- Washougal, Jones, and Dougan creeks. tant wildlife movement corridor. Other corridors processes and habitat conditions, restoring pas- tively. Today, the basin remains forested, with As with other watersheds, the Washougal include major streams throughout the subbasin sage at culverts and other barriers, and restoring 15 percent in agriculture and some urban areas subbasin has salmon issues. Historically, passage and a BPA powerline corridor that extends lowland floodplain function, riparian function, (i.e., portions of Camas, Vancouver, and Wash- for most anadromous fish (except steelhead) was horizontally across the southern subbasin. Boyles and stream habitat diversity. Restoration projects, ougal). Agriculture and urban cover consumed blocked at Salmon Falls until the 1950s, when a Creek connects to the upper Washougal River partner information, and selected watershed roughly equal portions of conifer forest, burned fish ladder was built there. Anadromous fish cur- winter deer range to the east, just outside the plans are available at www.lowercolumbiasalmon- forest, and oak. Although oak and prairie never rently can access a few miles upstream of Salmon boundary of the region. recovery.org. Clark County suggests the following were abundant historically, overall losses have Falls but are blocked at Dougan Falls, although Spotted owls, bald eagles, and Larch Moun- stream health strategies in the western part of been 95 percent and 99 percent, respectively. summer steelhead can negotiate the falls. Histori- tain salamanders are all species of concern. Elk, the Washougal subbasin: conserve agricultural Past natural and human disturbances have had cally, the Washougal subbasin supported thou- deer, and goose populations in the watershed are and forest lands and promote healthy practices; significant impacts on fish and wildlife habitat sands of fall Chinook, chum, coho, and summer doing well, maintaining themselves via natural implement development regulations to minimize conditions within the subbasin. The Yacolt Burn, and winter steelhead. Those numbers have been production, and not imperiled at this time in impacts, particularly from clearing and grading; forestry practices, dams, roads, mining, residen- drastically reduced, and today all of these species the Washougal River watershed. The Washougal protect and restore stream channels and ripar- tial and industrial development, water withdraw- are listed under the federal Endangered Species subbasin supports a diverse group of amphib- ian forest in tributary streams; and minimize the als, and industrial pollution from paper mills Act. A recovery plan was developed in 2010, the ians and reptiles that includes the northwestern, impact of surface and groundwater withdrawals have all altered habitat conditions. Floodplain Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish & long-toed, Cope’s, Pacific giant, and Cascade in tributary streams. connections have been lost along portions of Wildlife Subbasin Plan. The plan is the result of a torrent salamanders; tailed and Pacific tree frogs Numerous agencies and organizations are the mainstem Washougal and its major tributar- collaborative planning initiative coordinated by and western toad; northern alligator lizard; and actively involved in restoring the Washougal sub- ies, and aquatic and upland habitat in the lower the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, with a rubber boa, ring-necked snake, and three species basin, including counties; water quality programs, watershed is fragmented. Nonetheless, the middle number of planning partners. of garter snakes. such as those of the Washington Department of and upper portions of the watershed are well- Washington’s Comprehensive Wildlife Con- Clark County and the Lower Columbia Fish Ecology; and fish and wildlife habitat programs, forested and provide water and fish and wildlife servation Strategy identifies areas and actions to Recovery Board’s Lower Columbia Salmon Recov- such as those of the Washington Department of habitat. help sensitive habitats and wildlife species, and ery and Fish & Wildlife Subbasin Plan set general Fish and Wildlife, Clark Conservation District, Water quality issues are concentrated primari- the Department of Natural Resources identifies and specific priorities for the Washougal subba- Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group ly in the Lacamas watershed, with various streams several important natural areas in the Washougal sin. The recovery plan lists the most immediate (LCFEG), tribes, landowners, Northwest Power 303(d) listed for temperature, pH, dissolved oxy- subbasin. The Green Mountain Biodiversity Area Planning Council. The LCFEG partnership has gen, and, to a lesser degree, fecal coliform. Lack includes approximately 300 acres of mature forest 262 263 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

worked on priority salmon restoration projects Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Recovery lies along the Columbia River at the eastern end for several years; projects include upper Washou- 360-487-8311 Plan for the Prairie Species of Western Oregon of the greater Vancouver urban area and serves gal bedrock channel restoration, Little Washougal [email protected] and Southwestern Washington www.fws.gov/ as Washington’s gateway to the Columbia River oregonfwo/Species/PrairieSpecies/Documents/ River riparian restoration, Hamilton Creek engi- Vancouver Watersheds Council Gorge. PrairieSpeciesFinalRecoveryPlan.pdf neered logjams, Grays River large woody debris Gary Bock Historically, this subbasin consisted of 47 additions, and numerous nutrient enhancement percent conifer forest, 16 percent burned forest, 360-852-9189 n USGS water quality monitoring information and Washougal mainstem restoration projects. [email protected] http://wa.water.usgs.gov/cgi/realtime.data.cgi 8 percent prairie and savanna, and 3 percent oak. The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s plan www.vancouverwatersheds.org/ By 2010, combined conifer and mixed forest cov- n includes a detailed map and 6-year work program Washington Department of Ecology Washington Comprehensive Wildlife Conser- ered about half of the basin, while 14 percent was to address key priorities in the Washougal sub- 360-407-6000 vation Strategy agriculture and 4 percent urban (i.e., Washou- basin. www.ecy.wa.gov/ecyhome.html www.wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/cwcs gal). Agriculture and urban cover has consumed roughly equal portions of conifer forest, burned Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife n Washington Department of Ecology–TMDL, Organizations and Partners — forest, and oak. The amount of oak has reduced 360 902-2200 water quality data and projects, surface-ground- Washougal River Watershed www.wdfw.wa.gov water interactions along the mainstem, livestock by about 64 percent, and prairie and savanna have City of Camas report and other information www.ecy.wa.gov/ disappeared almost completely. Present-day lands Parks and Recreation programs/wq/tmdl/TMDLsbyWria/tmdl-wria28. are generally woodlands, open space, agriculture, 360-834-5307 Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports— html and residential. www.ci.camas.wa.us/ Washougal River Watershed The Columbia River Gorge is a remark- n able natural, scenic, cultural, and recreational City of Washougal Clark County Stream Health Plan, 2010 4c. The City of Washougal – Columbia River Public Works Department www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/stream.html resource. The Gorge is an 85-mile-long canyon 360-835-8501 Rick Till, Friends of the Columbia Gorge cutting a sea-level passage through the Cascade n Clark County stream monitoring information www.cityofwashougal.us/ and Lori Hennings, Metro Mountains. Much of the Gorge was designated www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/monitoring/ for protection in 1986 with the adoption of the Clark Conservation District streammonitor.html The City of Washougal-Columbia River subbasin Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act. 360-883-1987 straddles the Columbia River and includes the n The National Scenic Area encompasses roughly www.clarkcd.org/index.html Draft Washougal River Subbasin Summary, Columbia River Gorge. The Washougal River 2003 www.cbfwa.org/FWProgram/ReviewCycle/ 292,000 acres and includes portions of six coun- originates in the Gifford-Pinchot National For- Clark County ESA Program fy2003lc/workplan/020517Washougal.pdf ties (Multnomah, Hood River, and Wasco in est in Skamania County and runs parallel to the Contact: Bobbi Trusty Oregon and Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat in 360-397-2121 ext. 5268 n Habitat Conservation Plan information for Columbia River Gorge until passing through the Washington). The area within the greater Port- [email protected] Washington state-owned and managed wildlife city of Washougal and into the Columbia River land-Vancouver region encompasses portions of www.co.clark.wa.us/esa/index.html areas www.wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/ near Camas, Washington. Approximately 76 the National Scenic Area in eastern Clark County hcp/ square miles of the subbasin lie within the greater www.co.clark.wa.us/esa/index.html and western Skamania County. Portland-Vancouver region, just east of Mult- n Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan The National Scenic Area is divided into two Clark County Extension (WSU) nomah Falls. Major tributaries in the Washing- (WRIA 27/28) 2006 www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/ general land use designations: Special Manage- 360-397-6060 ton portion of the region include Gibbons and http://clark.wsu.edu/ eap/wrias/Planning/27-28.html ment Areas and General Management Areas. Watson creeks plus numerous smaller tributaries The greater Portland-Vancouver region includes Clark Public Utilities’ StreamTeam n Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish to the east. On the Oregon side, Latourell, Young, General Management Area lands and portions 360-992-8585 & Wildlife Subbasin Plan, 2010 Bridal Veil, and Multnomah creeks are the major of “Gates of the Columbia River Gorge” Special www.clarkpublicutilities.com www.lcfrb.gen.wa.us tributaries. Management Area. The Columbia River Gorge Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group The subbasin includes locally and regionally n Overview of the Lewis and Salmon-Washougal Commission is responsible for adopting land 360-882-6671 significant natural and recreational resources Water Resources Management Program Rules use regulations that govern land uses in General www.lcfeg.org and provides habitat for several threatened www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0811006.html Management Areas, while the USDA Forest Ser- and endangered anadromous fish species and Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and vice is responsible for adopting land use regula- n R2 Resource Consultants. 2004. Kalama, valuable forested upland habitats. Recreational Watershed Management tions in Special Management Areas. Land use Washougal and Lewis River habitat assessments. resources include excellent boating, swimming, 360 425-1552 guidelines require protection for scenic, natural, www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecovery.org Chapter 6: the Washougal River basin. and fishing opportunities. The city of Washougal recreational, and cultural resources.

264 265 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Unlike the Columbia River itself, many of this Preserve. This 223-acre site represents native oak Active habitat restoration and preservation subbasin’s tributaries have relatively intact hydrol- habitats that once were common in the Puget efforts have been under way for some time now ogy because of the area’s steep slopes, forest cover, Sound and Willamette Valley area but are now by several government and nonprofit groups, and large amounts of protected lands. Small rare. including the Washington Department of Natural tributaries provide salmon spawning habitat, The eastern end of the study area includes sub- Resources, the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clark County, Skamania cold-water refugia, protection from predators, stantial lands owned and managed by the Wash- County, the Skamania County Noxious Weed and rearing habit. Some tributaries are altered as ington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Control Board, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a result of Bonneville Dam, water diversions (e.g., Some of these lands are managed as State School Columbia Land Trust, Columbia Gorge Refuge Gibbons Creek), and small impoundments for Trust lands to provide perpetual funds for state Stewards, and the Lower Columbia Salmon recreation or other purposes. schools. Other DNR lands are managed under the Recovery Board. Water quality in the mainstem Columbia River DNR’s Natural Areas Program (see Chapter 6 of is impaired by warm temperature, toxics, and the Regional Conservation Strategy). For example, Organizations and Partnerships — other issues; TMDL parameters include dioxin the Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve is man- City of Washougal and Columbia River and total dissolved gas. TMDLs are still under aged exclusively for the preservation of highly n City of Washougal — www.cityofwashougal.us The National Scenic Area Act required that the development for some areas. Gibbons Creek has a sensitive natural resources. n Washington Department of Ecology — natural resources of the Columbia River Gorge be TMDL in place for fecal coliform. Captain William Clark Park is managed by www.ecy.wa.gov/ecyhome.html inventoried and that the inventory data be used as The portions of the greater Portland-Van- the City of Washougal and provides river access the basis for land use designations and regula- couver region that are within the Columbia and hiking opportunities. Reed Island State Park n Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife tions. The Columbia River Gorge Commission River Gorge include numerous Washington is a 510-acre park located in the Columbia River — www.wdfw.wa.gov has undertaken the Vital Signs Indicators Project Department of Fish and Wildlife priority habi- near Washougal. The island offers bird watching, n to study the condition of scenic, natural, recre- tats, including talus slopes, cliffs, old-growth boating, beach walking, camping and picnicking. Washington Department of Natural Resources — www.dnr.wa.gov/Pages/default.aspx ational, and cultural resources in the National and mature forests, herbaceous balds, Oregon The St. Cloud Day Use Site provides river access, Scenic Area. (See http://gorgevitalsigns.org/.) white oak habitats, and riparian areas. Oregon has ADA facilities, and is possibly the largest n Washington State University Clark County Washington State Route 14 leaving Washougal white oak is particularly prevalent in parts of the remaining natural wetland in the Columbia River Extension — http://clark.wsu.edu/ is designated a State Scenic Byway and is also the Columbia River Gorge. The area also includes Gorge, providing habitat for an extensive variety travel route for the Lewis and Clark National His- habitat used by numerous species listed as sensi- of wildlife. n USDA National Forest Service, Gifford-Pinchot toric Trail. State Route 14 is a primary travel route tive, threatened, or endangered by the states or Aside from hatchery and harvest issues, key National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge into the Columbia River Gorge and provides the federal government. These species include priorities for the City of Washougal–Columbia National Scenic Area Office — www.fs.fed.us/ outstanding scenic views, access to recreational anadromous fish, the Larch Mountain salaman- River subbasin include: and natural resource areas, and opportunities for der, and peregrine falcons. Many of these priority n Reduce out-of-subbasin impacts on salmon n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Steigerwald historical interpretation. habitats and sensitive species are located on pub- and steelhead so that the benefits of in-basin Lake, Franz Lake, and Pierce National Wildlife The Columbia River, its tributaries, and licly owned lands such as natural area parks and actions can be realized. Refuges) — www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ adjacent wetlands provide habitat for all anadro- trails that also provide public recreation oppor- complex/index.html n mous fish migrating upstream and downstream tunities. For example, portions of the Cape Horn Address immediate salmonids risks with short-term habitat fixes such as building chum n through the greater Portland-Vancouver region. Trail recently were transferred from private into Clark County — www.co.clark.wa.us salmon spawning channels and constructing coho Most of the tributary streams are high gradient, public ownership, providing recreational oppor- overwintering habitat (e.g., alcoves, side channels, n Skamania County — with spawning habitat limited to the lowest reach- tunities while preserving habitat. and log jams). www.skamaniacounty.org/ es. Focal salmonid species in lower Columbia Immediately east of the City of Washougal River Gorge tributaries include winter steelhead, is Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. n Restore riparian function and stream habitat n Skamania County Noxious Weed Control chum, coho, and fall Chinook. Coastal cut- This 1,049-acre refuge has historical riverine diversity. Board – http://www.skamaniacounty.org/nox- throat trout and Pacific lamprey also are present. floodplain habitat, semi-permanent wetlands, ious-weeds/ n Manage growth and development to protect Salmon and steelhead numbers have declined to cottonwood-dominated riparian corridors, pas- watershed processes and habitat conditions. n The Columbia River Gorge Commission — tures, and remnant stands of Oregon white oak. a fraction of historical levels, and extinction risks www.gorgecommission.org/ are significant for all but chum; this watershed is Adjacent to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife n Manage forest lands to protect and restore a high priority for salmonid recovery. Refuge is the Washington Department of Natu- watershed processes. n Friends of the Columbia Gorge — ral Resources’ Washougal Oaks Natural Area www.gorgefriends.org/

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n The Lower Columbia River Fish Enhancement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service n Washington Department of Ecology – n Washington DNR Columbia Falls Natural Area Group — www.lcfeg.org/ Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex Washougal River and Gibbons Creek, TMDL, Preserve www.dnr.wa.gov/ABOUTDNR/MAN- P.O. Box 457, Ridgefield, WA, 98642 water quality data and projects, surface-ground- AGEDLANDS/Pages/amp_na_columbia_falls. n Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards — http:// 28908 NW Main Avenue water interactions along the mainstem, livestock aspx www.refugestewards.org/ Ridgefield, WA, 98642 report and other information Phone: (360) 887-4106 http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/ n Washington State Department of Fish and n Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership — Fax: (360) 887-4109 TMDLsbyWria/tmdl-wria28.html Wildlife 2011-2017 Strategic Plan www.wdfw. http://www.lcrep.org/ wa.gov/publications/00971/wdfw00971.pdf Washington Department of Natural Resources n Columbia Land Trust — www.columbial- Contact: Carlo Abbruzzese andtrust.org/ PO Box 280 Castle Rock, WA 98611 Active restoration and enhancement partners in (360) 575-5056 the City of Washougal and the Columbia River OVERVIEW [email protected] include: Understanding the Willamette River Watershed Clark County ESA Program Contact: Joel Rupley Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — Travis Williams, Willamette Riverkeeper P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver WA 98666-9810 City of Washougal and Columbia River he Willamette River is a defining natural feature of the Portland metropolitan portion of the greater This section provides 360-397-2022 n Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Portland-Vancouver region. As the final receiver of water from the surrounding landscape, the [email protected] T an overview of the Vital Signs Indicators Project Willamette reflects what is happening around it. Over the decades the Willamette has been subject www.co.clark.wa.us/esa/index.html http://gorgevitalsigns.org/ Willamette River to a variety of impacts, especially conversion of the landscape to housing, industry, and agriculture. Gifford Pinchot Task Force watershed, to provide n Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan Today, efforts to reverse some of the negative effects on the river focus on improving water quality and Contact: David Jennings [includes some planning for lower Gorge enhancing natural habitat for a range of native species. context for discussion of P.O. Box 87542, Vancouver, WA 98687 tributaries] (WRIA 27/28) The Willamette River drains the Willamette Basin, which comprises 11,460 square miles between the watersheds that fall 360-866-7551 www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/wrias/ the Coast Range and the Cascades. This area encompasses the cities of Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, www.gptaskforce.org within it in the greater Planning/27-28.html Albany, Salem, and Portland and is home to nearly 70 percent of Oregon’s population. The mainstem Portland-Vancouver Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group Willamette is formed by the confluence of the Coast Fork Willamette and Middle Fork Willamette n Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish Contact: Tony Meyer tributaries east of Eugene and flows 187 miles to its confluence with the Columbia River in Portland, region: Hayden Island- & Wildlife Subbasin Plan, Volume II: Washougal 12404 SE Evergreen Highway incorporating 12 major tributaries along the way. The Willamette’s lower 36 miles, from its conflu- Columbia River, Johnson Vancouver, WA 98668-5471 River, Lower Gorge Tributaries (2010) ence with the Molalla River downstream to the Columbia, are within the greater Portland-Vancouver Creek, Salmon Creek- 360-882-6671 http://www.lcfrb.gen.wa.us region. [email protected], www.lcfeg.org Frontal Columbia River, n Management Plan for the Columbia River From its southern extent near Eugene, the river flows south to north through farmland, parks, Scappoose Creek-Frontal Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Gorge National Scenic Area http://www.gorge- floodplain forest, wetlands, oak habitats, and native prairie. The river also flows past multiple cities that Watershed Management commission.org/managementplan.cfm have used and affected the river in a variety of ways since their founding. As the river weaves its way Columbia River, Willa- (includes partner organization contacts) north, the gradient decreases, as does the extent of its historical floodplain. Where it meets the Molalla mette River-Frontal Co- Contact: Bernadette Graham Hudson n Northwest Power Planning Council. 2004. River in the Newberg Pool area, the Willamette has a very low gradient and slow flow. Just upstream of 2127 8th Ave., Longview, WA 98632 http://www.nwcouncil.org/ lumbia River, Abernethy Oregon City the river enters the Willamette Narrows, where it is constrained by basalt bluffs. The only 360-425-1552 Creek-Willamette River, n dam on the mainstem is in Oregon City at RM 26.5; it is operated by Portland General Electric. Farther www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecovery.org U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10. 2009. Columbia River Basin: State of the River north, the river flows through miles of suburban and urban areas with extensive hardened banks (to Friends of the Columbia Gorge report for toxins protect homes and businesses) until it reaches its confluence with the Columbia River in North Port- Contact: Rick Till http://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/ land. 522 SW 5th, Suite 720 Flows on the mainstem Willamette are significantly controlled by tributary dams constructed for Portland, OR 97206 flood control and water supply. The dams substantially dampen flow dynamics by reducing high flows 503-241-3762 ext. 107 and raising low flows. Dams also act as barriers that block native fish migration. Although the main- [email protected] stem channel may appear natural in the southern portion of the basin, the floodplain of the river has www.gorgefriends.org been dramatically reduced and the river is typically confined to one main channel. This “channeliza- tion” of the Willamette goes back many decades and is the result of efforts by farmers and cities to

268 269 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

protect their lands from flooding. Changes in the Willamette’s flow have reduced habitat complexity and of the Portland Harbor Superfund site, which consists of several miles of contaminated sediments and the amount of temperature and habitat refugia for many kinds of fish and wildlife. upland riverside areas that extend roughly to Multnomah Channel. (Cleanup activities at Superfund sites The Willamette Basin is home to spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and winter are overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.) The host of contaminants and a severely Impacts on River steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss), and many other focal species identified in federal recovery plans altered river make this area the most degraded portion of the entire Willamette. The pollution in the Health and Oregon’s Conservation Strategy. Salmon and steelhead from through the basin must pass through degraded portion of the Willamette is due to over 140 years of industrial development that included such activities as ship building and demolition, chemical manufacturing, chemical treatment of wood. Human influences have the Portland area twice during their lifecycle—as juveniles on their way downstream to the ocean and affected the Willamette as adults moving upstream to spawn. These anadromous fish have been staples of subsistence fishing In the coming years, the Superfund cleanup of Portland Harbor will require those who polluted the har- Protected Areas River throughout its historically, and more recently for sport fishing. The numbers of naturally reproducing spring Chinook bor, known as the Potentially Responsible Parties, to clean up their contribution to the mess. It will also The following are some extent, from high in the salmon and winter steelhead have dropped greatly, and both species are listed as threatened under the require habitat to be restored as part of the Natural Resource Damages process. of the key natural areas basin to the metro- along the Willamette Federal Endangered Species Act. Today native populations are supplemented by hatchery-raised fish that Restoration Priorities politan Portland. Key compete with native fish for resources and contaminate natural genetics. 4 River within the greater impacts are as follows: Priorities for restoration along the Willamette include the following: The Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) is an additional species of interest in the lower Willamette. Portland-Vancouver n n region that are currently Impaired downstream These long, eel-like fish have been harvested by native peoples for many generations at Willamette Falls Restoring riparian areas protected: and upstream pas- and have been present in the Willamette River system from Portland Harbor to well upstream. In recent sage of fish on major n Restoring floodplain and near-shore habitat in both urban and rural areas years the population of Pacific lamprey has declined, likely because of habitat and water quality issues. Molalla River State Park tributaries, because of Today Pacific Lamprey are being actively studied to determine the best way to pathway to recovery. n Willamette Narrows multiple dams. Pas- Increasing the extent of floodplain forest The portion of the Willamette Basin that is within the greater Portland-Vancouver region was home to Elk Rock Island sage impairments have n the Kalapuyan, Chinook, and Clackamas people, who populated the Willamette Valley and surrounding Restoring fish passage and related natural flows to tributaries of the Willamette reduced the natural Oaks Bottom Wildlife highlands, with distinct bands in different areas. Willamette Falls was an important gathering and trading reproductive ability of n Protecting and restoring cold-water refugia to assist migrating fish and meet TMDL requirements Refuge fish populations. area. Some of these priorities are being implemented at Oaks Bottom, the City of Portland and others are Ross Island’s 44 publicly n Loss and alteration owned acres Impacts on River Health working to increase the connection of the wetland area and pool at Oaks Bottom with the mainstem of habitat. Reduced Willamette River. The approach includes improving a culvert to increase water flow and native fish access Habitat alteration occurs in both urban and rural areas along the river. In the Portland area, habitat alter- riparian vegetation and to the off-channel refugia. This project exemplifies how habitat enhancement in a large urban area, on a ation along the Willamette can be seen in the form of hardened sea walls and riprap placed on the river- floodplain forest, loss developed portion of the Willamette, can greatly benefit wildlife and native habitat. of side channels and side to confine the river and prevent banks from eroding. Poor water quality has been a very significant refugia, competition issue on both the Willamette mainstem and its tributaries, and today there is a TMDL for temperature Local Assessments and Plans from non-native plants in the Willamette system—especially high summer water temperatures. The TMDL triggered a plan to n Willamette Subbasin Plan, Northwest Power and Conservation Council, May 2004 http://www. and animals, and sepa- help restore cooler temperatures in key areas. Other chronic or episodic water quality violations involve nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/willamette/plan/Intro.pdf ration of the river from household and industrial chemicals, pesticides and sewer overflows. n its historical floodplain Invasive species are abundant in the lower portion of the Willamette River, and this can affect the Willamette River Basin Planning Atlas (Northwest Ecosystem Research Consortium, Stan Gregory and David Hulse, OSU Press, 2002) all have affected fish, health of a range of native species. Invasive species such as smallmouth bass, carp, Asian clams, nutria, mammal, and bird spe- and purple loosestrife occupy habitat and compete for food resources. These can thwart efforts to restore http://www.fsl.orst.edu/pnwerc/wrb/Atlas_web_compressed/PDFtoc.html cies. native species populations. Key Organizations and Partnerships n Contamination. The Willamette’s primary tributaries in the greater Portland-Vancouver region include the Molalla Organizations working on the Willamette River mainstem in the Portland area include Willamette Contaminated sites in River to the south, the Tualatin River just above Willamette Falls and the Clackamas River just below the and along the river are Riverkeeper, Audubon Society of Portland, the Urban Greenspaces Institute, Metro, Oregon State Parks, falls, the more urban Tryon and Johnson creeks, and Columbia Slough, which flows into the Willamette in need of cleanup. The Nature Conservancy, the City of Portland’s Office of Healthy Working Rivers, Portland Parks and near its confluence with the Columbia. Confluences often have rich assemblages of fish and wildlife. Each Recreation, and the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services. n Poor water quality tributary reflects upstream land cover, channeling runoff to the Willamette that may include a variety of Those organizations working at the confluence areas include the Tryon Creek Watershed Council, in some areas. pollutants and excess sediments. The lower Willamette itself has been subjected to intensive industrial use Clackamas Basin Council, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council. that has led to significantly contamination in the river. Numerous effluent discharges contribute treated At this point, all of the organizations above work together in different ways on various projects from effluent to the river from industrial and municipal sources. In total, the portion of the Willamette River habitat restoration, enforcing the Clean Water Act, ecological monitoring, invasive species management, that is within the greater Portland-Vancouver region is much more polluted than areas upstream. and more.

Contamination and Cleanup Polluted sediments can be found in the Willamette River within the center of Portland, and there are a few isolated hotspots of pollution between Ross Island and the Fremont Bridge where polychlorinated 4 See also the “Willamette River–Frontal Columbia” section. 270 biphenyls (PCBs) are the primary contaminants. As the river approaches Swan Island, it enters the heart 271 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Johnson Creek Watershed 60,113 acres 5. Johnson Creek Watershed and bank scouring within the basin, as well as watershed, particularly in the herbaceous and Land cover % of Watershed property damage. shrub layers. (Invasive weeds are discussed in Matt Clark, Johnson Creek Watershed Council Agriculture 6% Historically, the Johnson Creek subbasin was more detail below.) The Johnson Creek Watershed is 54 square miles 70 percent coniferous forest, 11 percent oak, 15 Native fish—particularly those tolerant of regen. forest <1% (34,000 acres) and includes parts of five cities— percent burned forest, and less than 1 percent warm water—represented 99.7 percent of the Damascus, Gresham, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Developed 39% prairie. By 2010, this basin had become the most species sampled in the watershed by the Oregon and Portland—and two counties: Multnomah Low Veg 13% heavily urbanized basin in the region, with 69 Department of Fish and Wildlife between April and Clackamas. Johnson Creek originates in percent of the basin converted to urban uses 2008 and February 2009. Despite precipitous tree Cover 41% the foothills of Mount Hood near Boring, flows (i.e., portions or all of Clackamas, Gresham, declines, cold-water species such as ESA-listed generally westward for approximately 24 miles, Water 2% Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oak Grove, Portland, Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead and and enters the Willamette River just south of the Forest Patches* 16% and Tualatin). Another 10 percent of the basin cutthroat trout are still present. Steelhead and

City of Portland border, 18.5 river miles above the Jurisdictions has been converted to agriculture. Together, the cutthroat trout are found along most of Johnson Willamette’s confluence with the Columbia River. transition to urban and agricultural uses has Creek, while coho and Chinook salmon have Metro UGB 91% The upper watershed is predominantly rural consumed 67 percent of the oak habitat and 100 been found primarily in the lower mainstem and residential and agricultural (largely tree nurser- Rural 9% percent of the prairie. Combined coniferous and in Crystal Springs Creek. Western brook lamprey ies), with less than 10 percent impervious surface. *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. mixed forest decreased about 55 percent. Agricul- and Pacific lamprey also are present in lower The lower watershed is heavily urbanized and is **Cities in Portland area UGB. ture consumed about 5,000 acres of conifer forest, Johnson Creek and its tributaries. dominated by residential, commercial, and indus- and urban consumed 25,000 acres of conifer for- Little data are available about fish distribution trial areas, with generally more than 25 percent est and about 5,000 acres of oak. in the upper mainstem of Johnson Creek. How- impervious surface. Developed land represents n Has significant tree cover (41 percent), par- Early farmers (circa 1850) initially increased ever, in December 2010, four wild coho salmon about 40 percent of the watershed. As of 2006 the ticularly considering the relatively high level of the meandering of the creek to expand the flood- (three spawned-out carcasses and one live fish) watershed had an estimated 175,000 residents, development. The tree cover helps offset flood plain and increase nutrient deposition. By the were sighted on mainstem Johnson Creek at River problems that otherwise would be worse. making it one of the most densely populated 1930s, the watershed had substantially urbanized Mile 15, near the eastern border of Gresham, watersheds in Oregon. More than 90 percent of n Has a relatively high proportion (13 percent and flooding came to be viewed as a problem—a much farther upstream than they have been the Johnson Creek watershed is within the cur- cover) of low vegetation. This includes substantial view that continues to this day. To address flood- recently documented. rent Metro Urban Growth Boundary, with 6,000 amounts of backyard and landscaping habitat. ing concerns, the Works Progress Administration In 2010, several populations of western acres added to the UGB in the last decade. Addi- widened and straightened much of the lower 15 pearlshell freshwater mussels were found in The northern side of the watershed west of tional areas near Highway 26 in both Clackamas miles of Johnson Creek, lining the channel with upper Johnson Creek. Although still relatively Gresham and the southern side west of I-205 are and Multnomah counties were designated as rocks. Today it is recognized that historical flood relatively flat, with deep, permeable, sedimentary urban reserves in 2010. prevention efforts were largely counter-produc- soils. This contrasts with the steeper slopes and The Johnson Creek watershed represents 3 tive, and significant public and private investment low-permeability silt soils of the volcanic buttes percent of the greater Portland-Vancouver region. has been made to reconnect Johnson Creek to its (the East Buttes) in the southeastern portion Within the region, 91 percent of the Johnson historical floodplain. In addition to mitigating of the watershed, which explains why most of Creek watershed falls within the Metro Urban nuisance flooding, reconnecting the historical Johnson Creek’s major tributaries come from the Growth Boundary. floodplain provides critical off-channel rear- south. The exception is ground-water fed Crystal ing and refuge habitat for native fish, including Springs Creek, the lowest major tributary, which Key Facts: The Johnson Creek watershed within salmon and steelhead. Historically Johnson Creek enters from the north. Other major tributaries the greater Portland-Vancouver region: had large salmon populations, which declined include Veterans, Kelley, Butler, Sunshine, and n Includes about 3,200 acres that are within the dramatically with urbanization and the WPA Badger creeks, with Kelley and Crystal Springs FEMA 100-year floodplain and just over 500 channelization mentioned above. creeks contributing most of the stream volume. acres of mapped wetlands. Today, most of the forest is on the volcanic The summer base flow of Johnson Creek fre- East Buttes. Upland forests on the East Buttes n Has 39 percent developed land, second only quently falls below minimum standards estab- generally range from 40- to 100-year-old second to the Willamette River-Frontal Columbia River lished by the Oregon Department of Fish and growth that typically is a mixed conifer-decid- watershed. This level of development is a strong Wildlife for salmonids, and winter floods are uous forest in mid-successional stage. Invasive contributor to flooding in the watershed. common. (A total of 39 flood events have been weed species are a problem throughout the recorded since 1941.) Flooding causes erosion 272 273 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

widespread in western Butte, Clatsop Butte, Gabbert Hill, and various Johnson Creek mainstem south of Powell Butte, Organizations and Partners — Oregon, western pearl- other volcanic buttes. and Kelley Creek’s confluence with Johnson Johnson Creek Watershed shells are considered a Some of the most extensive streamside forest Creek). In addition, large woody debris is severely n Johnson Creek Watershed Council – vulnerable species and on Johnson Creek is in the middle watershed. For lacking throughout Johnson Creek. Matt Clark their conservation is example, Reach 16, upstream of Regner Road in The Oregon Department of Environmental closely linked to that Gresham, has an intact riparian forest canopy, Quality rated water quality in Johnson Creek as n City of Damascus – Dan O’Dell of salmon. as does the riparian corridor between Powell poor. Water quality issues include bacteria, high n City of Milwaukie – JoAnn Herrigel Other sensitive Butte and Leach Botanical Garden. The head- temperatures, and toxic legacy pesticides such species present include water streams flowing through rural and agri- as DDT, primarily originating in the agricultural n City of Portland – Maggie Skenderian (Bureau long-toed, northwest- cultural lands in the upper watershed have very upper watershed and brought into the creek by of Environmental Services), Lynn Barlow (Port- ern, and Columbia sal- little riparian vegetation. Some of the tributary eroding soils. land Parks and Recreation) amanders, red-legged headwaters remain well forested (e.g., Upper Kel- There are several known invasive weed species n City of Gresham – Steve Fancher frogs, and painted ley Creek and Upper Mitchell Creek). The lower in the watershed, including Japanese knotweed turtles. The East Buttes watershed generally suffers from a lack of riparian (more than 90 percent controlled as of 2010), n Clackamas Water Environment Services – and forested tributary vegetation. Notable exceptions include Johnson false-brome, garlic mustard, and regionally ubiq- John Nagy headwaters provide Creek’s confluence with the Willamette River and uitous invasive species such as reed canarygrass, upland and streamside Tideman Johnson Natural Area. English and Irish ivy, and Himalayan blackberry. n North Clackamas Parks and Recreation – habitat for resident Based on Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment The following are high-priority conservation Tonia Burns and migratory birds, (EDT) modeling for coho salmon, priorities for or restoration actions in this watershed: n Multnomah County – Roy Iwai including Pacific-slope core instream and riparian habitat protection n Non-point source pollution reduction and willow flycatchers; include Reach 16 of Johnson Creek, lower Hogan n East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation western wood-pewees; Creek, upper and lower Kelley Creek, and upper n Low-impact development in middle and upper District – Jean Fike golden-crowned kinglets; Bewick’s and winter Mitchell Creek. Priority areas for restoration are watershed n Clackamas County Soil and Water wrens; orange-crowned, Wilson’s, and Townsend’s Reaches 4 and 5 of Johnson Creek (i.e., Tideman- n Stormwater retrofitting in existing Conservation District – Tom Salzer warblers; and Swainson thrushes. The Johnson Johnson), Reach 15 of Johnson Creek, Upper development Creek mainstem and its many tributaries act as Crystal Springs, Errol Creek, middle Kelley n Johnson Creek Conservation Partnership (a travel corridors and connect habitat for birds, Creek, lower Mitchell and Sunshine creeks, and n Private lands restoration and conservation group of nonprofits and jurisdictions focused on black-tailed deer, coyote, river otter, and beaver. Badger Creek. The next step for salmon habitat acquisition of conservation land) n The East Buttes provide important habitat and recovery is to connect core habitat areas, which Continued streamside forest restoration n Backyard Habitat Certification Program /John- connectivity for elk, and the Johnson Creek main- include Reaches 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 17 of son Creek pilot (Johnson Creek Watershed Coun- stem is probably the most important east-west Johnson Creek. Current Major Initiatives — cil, Portland Audubon, Columbia Land Trust) biodiversity corridor in the southern portion of Conservation and restoration efforts should Johnson Creek Watershed the Portland metropolitan region. focus on areas that increase riparian connectiv- n Watershed-wide riparian invasive weed remov- n Crystal Springs Community Collaborative – There currently are about 4,600 acres of parks ity and provide wildlife travel corridors. One of al and native species revegetation (ongoing) Rowan Steele, City of Portland and open space in the watershed. including nearly the challenges will be to maintain ecological and n 900 acres acquired since 1995. Inside the City hydrological function as areas in the middle and n Removal of eight partial fish passage barriers SOLV – Sara Ryan on Crystal Springs Creek of Portland boundary, more than 1,000 acres upper watershed (notably the Pleasant Valley n Friends of Trees – Logan Lauvray are designated as special habitat areas, meaning and Springwater planning areas and the City of n Floodplain reconnection /off-channel rearing that they provide especially important fish and Damascus) develop in the coming years. n Reed College – Zac Perry and refuge habitat (several large projects have wildlife habitat values and functions. Important As noted above, much of Johnson Creek has been completed; several more programmed) n Johnson Creek Interjurisdictional Committee habitat types still present in the watershed include been channelized and disconnected from its (focus on watershed monitoring) bottomland hardwood forest, wetland complexes historical floodplain. Off-channel habitat remains n Instream and floodplain large wood installa- (one of the largest being 19-acre Beggars Tick rare on Johnson Creek, in spite of recent projects tion at Johnson Creek/Willamette River conflu- n Xerces Society /Johnson Creek Watershed marsh), and upland prairie and grasslands. There that have reconnected the creek to its floodplain ence Council – Freshwater mussel sampling is protected forested upland habitat on Powell (notably at Tideman-Johnson Natural Area, the confluence of Errol Creek and Johnson Creek, the

274 275 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Salmon Creek-Frontal Columbia Watershed 131,398 acres Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — and rural lands to high-density suburban and Land cover % of Watershed Johnson Creek Watershed urban uses. Agriculture 21% n Johnson Creek Restoration Project Census (in A total of 53 percent of the watershed lies development by the Johnson Creek Watershed regen. forest 1% within urban growth boundaries, and the water- shed represents 7 percent of the total area of the Council and partners) Developed 24% http://jcwc.conservationregistry.org/ greater Portland-Vancouver region. Low Veg 20% n Johnson Creek Watershed Action Plan, 2003 tree Cover 31% Key Facts: The Salmon Creek – Frontal Columbia http://jcwc.org/ Water 3% River watershed within the greater Portland- n Vancouver region: Johnson Creek Restoration Plan (City of Port- Forest Patches* 19% land, 2001) http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/ n Consists of 24 percent developed land cover index.cfm?a=214367&c=33212 Jurisdictions (much of which is within the City of Vancouver’s Battle Ground 4% urban growth area) and 21 percent agriculture. n Willamette Basin Restoration Priorities Water- ized. High peak flows and low summer flows are Camas 3% n shed Summaries (Oregon Watershed Enhance- Includes 31 percent tree cover. Forest patch key urban issues, so development practices and ment Board, 2005) Ridgefield 2% cover represents 19 percent of the watershed, stormwater management will be important tools http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/docs/pubs/Rest_ reflecting the fragmentation of habitat that is Vancouver 44% in managing future urban growth. Clark Pub- Priorities/Willamette_Watershed_Council_Sum- common in urban areas. lic Utilities, Clark County, and the Washington maries_Dec05.pdf?ga=t Rural 47% n Has 20 percent low vegetation. The combina- Department of Ecology have entered into a joint *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. n Aquatic Inventories Project, Physical Habitat tion of tree cover and low vegetation (collectively agreement to develop and maintain an effective Surveys, Johnson Creek (Oregon Department of and Lake River are within the historical Columbia more than 50 percent) suggests that the water- management strategy for the watershed’s ground- Fish and Wildlife, 1999) shed is relatively green, despite its urbanization. River floodplain and are tidally influenced. Burnt water resources, which supply most of the water needs of residents and businesses. n Johnson Creek Stormwater Master Plan (City Bridge Creek is mostly within the city of Vancou- n Is 11 percent publicly owned. Historically, the Salmon Creek subbasin was of Gresham, 2005) ver and flows into Vancouver Lake. The Salmon Creek watershed includes several subwatersheds: n Has about 22,000 acres within the FEMA 100- 53 percent coniferous forest, 18 percent burned n Johnson Creek Watershed Land Acquisition the upper Salmon, lower Salmon, Lake River- year floodplain. forest, 9 percent prairie and savanna, and 3 Plan (in development by Johnson Creek Conser- Frontal Columbia River, Burnt Bridge Creek, and percent oak. By 2010, 32 percent of the water- vation Partnership) n Includes more than 16,000 acres of mapped Gee Creek. shed had been converted to urban uses (i.e., the wetlands—the most of any watershed in the cities of Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Vancou- Most of the urban lands in the Washington region. portion of the greater Portland-Vancouver region ver, and part of the city of Camas), making this 6. Salmon Creek – are within the Salmon Creek watershed, about The Salmon Creek watershed lies along the basin the third most heavily urbanized in the Pacific Flyway and is critical to migrating and region. Conversion to urban cover consumed Frontal Columbia River one-quarter of which is urbanized. For example, the Washington cities of Vancouver, Battle breeding birds. Meriwether Lewis and William about 56 percent (approximately 30,000 acres) Lori Hennings, Metro Ground, Hazel Dell ,and Orchards are within the Clark camped near the mouth of Salmon Creek of combined coniferous and mixed forest and about 5,000 acres of prairie. Agriculture covered a The Salmon Creek – Frontal Columbia River Salmon Creek watershed. Land use is predomi- on November 4, 1805. Clark purportedly did not quarter of the basin and consumed about 20,000 subbasin (referred to as the Salmon Creek water- nantly privately owned timber and agriculture in sleep well because of the noise made by swans, acres of conifer and mixed forest and 3,000 acres shed) drains 205 square miles within the greater the upper and middle portions of the watershed geese, ducks, and other birds nearby. of prairie. Riparian forest and water features— Portland-Vancouver region. Salmon Creek and rural and urban development in the lower Stream health and fish and wildlife habitat primarily on the floodplain of the Columbia originates in the low foothills of the southwest portion of the watershed. Much of the historical within the watershed have been affected by urban River—each were reduced about 21 percent by Washington Cascades and flows into Lake River, wetland and floodplain habitat has been con- and rural development, agricultural practices, filling or drainage. which drains northward from Vancouver Lake verted to urban uses, although some large areas transportation corridors, and timber harvest. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and invasive into the Columbia River, along the way receiving have been preserved. The human population Salmon Creek currently exceeds state and federal species are of particular concern in the Salmon water from Flume and Whipple creeks. Tributary in the watershed is expected to double between standards for water temperature, turbidity, and Creek watershed. Native oak habitats and prairies streams are primarily low-gradient meandering 2000 and 2020, primarily in Vancouver and Battle coliform bacteria, and tributaries also have prob- are threatened by Scot’s broom. Purple loose- systems within Clark County. Vancouver Lake Ground; this growth in the human population lems with dissolved oxygen and pH. Floodplain will increase pressures for conversion of forest connectivity has been lost and streams channel- strife and knotweeds affect wetland and riparian 276 277 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

habitats. Despite these difficulties, substantial nect to the Columbia River and adjacent water- stream and side channels in the middle and upper 360-883-1987 habitat remains, and much has been protected. sheds. The lowlands connect in all directions: watershed, implement development regulations [email protected] The Ridgefield lowlands extend north-south west to the Columbia River and north and south to minimize impacts, minimize the impact of www.clarkcd.org/index.html through most of the western portion of the water- to other watersheds, as well as to important wild- surface and groundwater withdrawals, promote Clark County ESA Program shed and continue northward to the Lewis and life areas such as Burnt Bridge, Cougar Canyon, good septic system maintenance practices, and Joel Rupley Kalama River-Columbia Frontal River subbasins. Whipple and Flume creeks. Upper Salmon Creek work with property owners to eliminate pollution 360-397-2022 The area has a mosaic of seasonal and perma- provides a corridor through urban and agricul- sources. [email protected] nent wetlands, grasslands, upland forest, ripar- tural areas to forest in the upper basin. Washington’s Comprehensive Wildlife www.co.clark.wa.us/esa/index.html ian corridors, oak habitats, and cropland. The The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s Conservation Strategy identifies specific areas Clark County Parks & Recreation Washington Department of Natural Resources 2010 Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and and actions to help sensitive habitats and wild- 360-487-8311 identifies Mankas Prairie—a remnant prairie Fish & Wildlife Subbasin Plan provides a detailed life species. A recovery plan is in place in this [email protected] and oak savanna habitat area in the northeast- salmon-oriented characterization of the Salmon watershed for several threatened or endangered Clark Public Utilities’ StreamTeam ern portion of the watershed—as a heritage site, Creek subbasin. Historically the basin sup- prairie species, including Fender’s blue butterfly Lisa Beranek and the upper reaches of Weaver Creek have an (Icaricia icarioides fenderi), which is endangered; ported thousands of fall Chinook salmon, winter 360-992-8585 important mature mixed forest-wetland complex. steelhead, and chum and coho salmon. Salmon Willamette daisy (Erigeron decumbens var. [email protected] The state’s Priority Habitats and Species program and steelhead numbers have declined to only a decumbens), which is endangered; Bradshaw’s http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/ identifies the Ridgefield lowlands, Salmon Creek, fraction of their historical levels. Extinction risks lomatium (Lomatium bradshawii), which is our-environment/stream-team/ and major low-lying tributaries as high-quality are significant for all of these species, but none endangered; Kincaid’s lupine (Lupinus sulphureus Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group habitat for breeding and overwintering bald of the Salmon Creek populations are considered ssp. kincaidii), which is threatened; and Nelson’s Tony Meyer eagles and waterfowl, including winter concentra- checkermallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana), which is primary for recovery under the Lower Columbia 360-882-6671 tions of dusky Canada geese, Canada geese, and Fish Recovery Board’s plan; however, the plan threatened. [email protected] white-fronted geese, lesser sandhill cranes, and calls for management action to sustain these pop- Active habitat restoration and preservation www.lcfeg.org wintering and breeding ducks. The area also sup- ulations at their current level of viability, to meet efforts have been under way for some time now Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Water- ports a diverse array of amphibians, reptiles, and regional recovery objectives. Although no single by the City of Vancouver, Clark County, Clark shed Management | mammals. threat is responsible for the declines in Salmon Public Utilities, the Port of Vancouver, the Lower Bernadette Graham Hudson The Salmon Creek subbasin provides habitat Columbia Fish Recovery Board, and others. The Creek’s fish and wildlife populations, a loss of 360 425-1552 for numerous amphibian and reptile species, tributary habitat quality and quantity accounts for Salmon Creek Watershed Council provides a www.lowercolumbiasalmonrecovery.org including the northwestern, long-toed, Cope’s, the largest relative impact. Key habitats have been forum for citizens and organizations residing in Salmon Creek Watershed Council Pacific giant, and Cascade salamanders; tailed isolated or eliminated as a result of dredging, Clark County to participate in and partner on Bianca Streif and red-legged frogs and the western toad; the channel modifications, diking, filling, the drain- on-the-ground restoration, water quality, and 360-721-3816 ring-necked snake, rubber boa, and three spe- ing of floodplains and wetlands, and hydropower advocacy. Clark County’s StreamTeam organizes [email protected] cies of garter snakes; and the painted turtle and restoration projects in the Salmon Creek Gre- operation on the mainstem. These activities have www.salmoncreekwatershed.org northern alligator lizard. altered flows, habitat, and migration conditions. enway. The Vancouver Watersheds Council is The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established Altered habitat and competition and interbreed- similarly engaged in plantings, cleanups and com- Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership Loretta Callahan the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex ing with hatchery fish have reduced productivity. munity education. Salmon Creek runs through 360-759-4479 in 1965, with a total of 5,217 acres set aside for The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board’s the Washington State University campus, and [email protected] wildlife and habitat. The Washington Depart- 2010 recovery plan identifies growth manage- students, professors and partners are engaged in www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/PublicWorks/ ment of Fish and Wildlife owns another 2,730 restoration and watershed education. ment, restoration of forest, floodplain, and vancouverlake/index.htm acres immediately to the south, in the Shillapoo riparian habitat, and preservation and restoration Wildlife Area. The Port of Vancouver also owns of watershed processes and habitat conditions as Organizations and Partners — Vancouver Watersheds Council Gary Bock some important preservation and mitigation immediate salmon priorities and identifies reach- Salmon Creek Watershed 360-852-9189 areas. Numerous other habitat areas are pro- specific restoration activities to improve fish habi- City of Vancouver [email protected] tected through a variety of ownerships, including tat. The Clark County 2010 Stream Health Report 360-487-8600 www.vancouverwatersheds.org/ holdings along Whipple Creek, Salmon Creek recommends the following priority general action www.cityofvancouver.us Washington Department of Ecology Greenway, and Burnt Bridge Greenway. categories for this watershed: increase infiltra- Clark Conservation District 360-407-6000 Several key wildlife movement corridors con- tion and retention of stormwater runoff, restore Denise Smee www.ecy.wa.gov/ecyhome.html 278 279 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Scappoose Creek-Frontal Columbia River Watershed 123,105 acres Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife n Shillapoo Wildlife Area management plan n Has a forest patch coverage rate of 55 percent. 360 902-2200 www.wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/manage- Land cover % of Watershed Of this, 14 percent is publicly owned and a sub-

www.wdfw.wa.gov ment_plans/ Agriculture 22% stantial portion is working forest that is managed for timber extraction. Clark County Extension (WSU) n USGS water quality monitoring information regen. forest 4% Jennifer Naas n http://wa.water.usgs.gov/cgi/realtime.data.cgi Developed 6% Has 21,600 acres that are within the FEMA 360-397-6060 100-year floodplain. [email protected] n Washington Department of Ecology – TMDL, Low Veg 5% n http://clark.wsu.edu/ water quality data and projects, surface-ground- tree Cover 57% Includes about 9,000 acres of mapped wet- water interactions along the mainstem, livestock lands. report and other information www.ecy.wa.gov/ Water 5% Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — Historically, five species of salmonids were pres- programs/wq/tmdl/TMDLsbyWria/tmdl-wria28. Forest Patches* 55% Salmon Creek Watershed html ent in the Scappoose Bay watershed: fall Chinook, Jurisdictions n Clark County Water Quality Division. 1995. coho, and chum salmon and winter steelhead and Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed Plan: Clark Metro UGB** 1% cutthroat trout. Viable though imperiled wild populations of coho, cutthroat, and steelhead County watershed protection program. Vancou- 7. Scappoose Creek – Frontal Scappoose 2% ver, WA: The Division. remain. Chum is considered extirpated, and the Columbia River Watershed st. Helens/ Columbia City 3% status of the fall Chinook population is uncer- n Clark County Water Resources Division. 1997. Janelle St. Pierre, Scappoose Bay Watershed Rural 94% tain. Historically, the Milton Creek and North Lakeshore & Salmon Creek Watershed Areas Council and South Scappoose Creek subwatersheds had Plan. Clark County watershed protection pro- *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. the highest diversity and largest populations of gram. Vancouver, WA: The Division. The Scappoose Bay watershed is located along the **Cities in Portland area UGB salmonids. Numerous smaller independent tribu- eastern flanks of the Tualatin Mountains, near n Clark County Stream Health Plan the confluence of Multnomah Channel and the Despite recent growth in the human popula- taries to Scappoose Bay and Multnomah Channel www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/stream.html Columbia River. The watershed contains a broad tion and the watershed’s proximity to a major also provided salmonid habitat, but these did not diversity of habitats, ranging from small, steep metropolitan area, the Scappoose Bay watershed have the species diversity or habitat availability n Clark County stream monitoring information mountain streams to low-gradient stream valleys of Milton Creek and North and South Scappoose http://www.co.clark.wa.us/water-resources/moni- still has 57 percent tree cover, which includes that transition into the lowland floodplain of the creeks. toring/streammonitor.html substantial conifer forests with remnant oak Columbia River estuary. The watershed includes forests and savanna scattered at lower elevations. The Scappoose Bay watershed has a history n Gee Creek Watershed Restoration Background the mainstem and tributaries of North and South Wetlands rich in wildlife still grace the lowlands, of mining, logging, farming, diking, and other Report http://clark.wsu.edu/natural/geeCreek. Scappoose creeks, Milton Creek, Honeyman filtering the basin’s runoff. activities that degrade habitat. Loss of potential html Creek, and McNulty Creek, as well as several Within the greater Portland-Vancouver region, productivity of fish habitat was highest for all spe- other smaller streams. Scappoose Bay and its the Scappoose Creek – Frontal Columbia River cies and life stages in the valley floodplain stream n Habitat Conservation Plan information for connected bottomlands—a unique freshwater type, which occurs mainly in the agricultural/ Washington state-owned and managed wildlife contributes about 7 percent of total lands. tidal estuary—is the focal point of this complex rural residential areas of the mainstems of South areas www.wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/ Scappoose and Milton creeks. Despite severe pop- hcp/ system, which provides clean water to its human Key Facts: The Scappoose Creek-Frontal Columbia residents and supports diverse wildlife habitat. River watershed within the greater Portland- ulation declines, creeks such as South Scappoose n Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan Most of the watershed is privately owned Vancouver region: Creek—the most productive salmon-bearing (WRIA 27/28) www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/ creek within the Scappoose Bay watershed—still industrial forest with a small percentage of federal n Is 16 percent publicly owned. wrias/Planning/27-28.html and state land (managed by the Bureau of Land serve as an essential connection between Scap- Management and Oregon Parks and Recreation n Is 94 percent rural, with just 6 percent of the poose Bay and high-quality salmon habitat in the n Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish & Department) and a scattering of small woodland watershed falling within urban growth boundar- upper watershed. Remaining challenges include Wildlife Subbasin Plan (2010) ies (primarily Scappoose and St. Helens/Colum- determining how best to restore the critical creek www.lcfrb.gen.wa.us properties. Rural residential properties take up most of the valleys, transitioning into (1) the bia City). corridors and making strategic efforts to restore n Overview of the Lewis and Salmon-Washougal urban areas of Scappoose and St. Helens/Colum- salmonid populations. n Has higher than average tree cover: 57 percent. Water Resources Management Program Rules bia City, and (2) a small amount of agriculture in The Scappoose bottomlands are a rare fresh- www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0811006.html the lower portion of the watershed, primarily in water tidal estuary near the confluence of the the dikelands around Scappoose. Columbia River and Multnomah Channel. This

280 281 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

area has habitat value both for resident species of agriculture (consuming about 10,000 acres each portion of the Columbia fish, wildlife, and plants and for the salmon and of conifer forest and prairie) and 6 percent to (on the Oregon side) bird species that migrate through the Colum- urban uses (i.e., the cities of Scappoose and part because of the already bia and Willamette basins and along the Pacific of St. Helens, which consumed about 5,000 acres existing populations Flyway. Located next to Sauvie Island Wildlife of conifer forest). Water features, primarily on the of wild fish and the Refuge and across from Ridgefield National Wild- floodplain of the Columbia River, were reduced potential for signifi- life Refuge Complex, the Scappoose bottomlands about 30 percent by filling or drainage. cant restoration and/or are part of one of the last high-quality freshwater enhancement of refugia estuary systems left on the Columbia. The area’s Local and Regional Conservation and habitat. ash gallery forests, oak habitats, and tidal wetland Restoration Priorities plant communities host numerous migratory The highest priority habitat identified in the Priorities and Plans for birds, including waterfowl, Neotropicals, and Scappoose Bay watershed is the large area of Future Conservation large birds of prey. The bottomlands also provide estuarine channels and wetlands around Scap- and Restoration important habitat to Chinook, coho, and steel- poose Bay (i.e., Scappoose bottomlands). The area The Scappoose Bay head, which use the area for foraging and refugia. is identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy Watershed Council is Historical and current grazing and hydro- and Willamette Synthesis Project and represents planning to conduct a power/flood control activities have degraded one of the few remaining large tracts of lower limiting factors analysis the quality of the bottomlands by altering the Columbia River floodplain habitat that has not (LFA) in order to direct historical vegetation communities and hydrology. been drained, diked, and converted to farmland. future investments in Hydrologic alteration has significantly reduced However, both plans fail to acknowledge the restoration and conser- the connection between Multnomah Channel and connection between the bottomlands and the rest vation, build on exist- Scappoose Bay. The historical sloughs that once of the watershed, thus creating an incomplete ing efforts to improve provide a very detailed analysis of the health and linked the two water bodies have been cut off, and picture of the area. salmonid habitat in the watershed, and tie in function of salmon habitat in the watershed. the bay and remaining channels face increased The area contains the mainstem of Scappoose with salmon conservation and recovery plan- sedimentation because of a lack flushing flows Creek, numerous tidal sloughs and ponds, exten- ning. The LFA will analyze previously collected Major Initiatives (which occurred historically). Importantly, this sive beds of wapato, and ash and cottonwood data to define areas of rich habitat and provide A comprehensive barrier assessment demon- has reduced food sources and vital off-channel forests that provide habitat for fish and wildlife, site-specific prescriptions to protect and enhance strated that barriers have a significant cumula- habitats for salmon and steelhead. including long-legged wading birds, migra- spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids in tive impact on fish habitat on most streams in tory waterfowl, and salmonids, who rear in the high-priority areas of North and South Scappoose the watershed and prioritized barrier correction Historical Conditions area. Most of the bottomlands are privately held, creeks, Milton Creek, and significant tributar- for all subwatersheds and the watershed as a The modern Columbia River valley was formed although there are a few large tracts that are state ies. The analysis will quantify and map spawning whole. The Scappoose Bay Watershed Council by conventional river processes and glacial out- owned or in conservation easements. Past indus- gravel, summer-rearing habitat, floodplain con- has treated the majority of significant barriers burst floods (i.e., the Missoula floods). The flood- trial use around the bay has left a toxic legacy of nectivity, riparian function, sources of recruit- along salmon-bearing creeks and tributaries in plain is wider than the active floodway—as much contaminated or potentially contaminated sites. ment of large wood and gravel and other aspects the watershed, working with partners to remove as 15 miles across near the confluence with the The Oregon Department of Wildlife is in the of habitat quality and identify remaining impedi- or replace 42 barriers, opening up more than 56 Willamette River. Locally, the floodplain narrows process of working with potentially responsible ments to passage. miles of creek for fish access. Additional barriers to just 1.5 miles wide, and the constriction has parties to develop plans to address concerns. The watershed council also is planning on are targeted. backed up floodwaters upstream that have caused The Lower Columbia River Conservation and creating a State of the Watershed Report for 2012. A 2000 watershed assessment and restoration the storage of considerable amounts of sediment Recovery Plan for Oregon Populations of Salmon The report will identify the current state of the plan identified South Scappoose Creek as the pri- in the vicinity of the Scappoose bottomlands. and Steelhead identifies the Scappoose area watershed, based on extensive data collection and mary corridor between Scappoose Bay and high- Historically, the Scappoose Basin was 54 per- (including portions of Sauvie Island and the lower the results of 10 years of restoration efforts, and quality salmonid habitat upstream and identified cent coniferous forest, 12 percent burned forest, Columbia River watershed) as an important area will prioritize watershed management needs and multiple factors that limit the creek’s ability to 12 percent prairie and savanna, and 3 percent for recovery of coho and fall Chinook salmon identify habitat and water quality improvements support salmon. These factors include the filling oak. By 2020, 20 percent had been converted to and the potential reintroduction of Columbia projects and project partners and funding oppor- of historical floodplains and secondary channels, River chum. This area is seen as a lynchpin for tunities. With the addition of creek data collected channel straightening and realignment, loss of the recovery of salmonid populations in the lower in 2011, the watershed council will be able to riparian vegetation, and floodplain constriction at road crossings. The Scappoose Bay Watershed 282 283 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Willamette River-Frontal Columbia River Watershed Hayden Island-Columbia River Watershed 78,662 acres 15,558 acres Council currently is implementing floodplain OSU Extension Service: Columbia County enhancement projects on two properties and 505 N. Columbia River Hwy Land cover % of Watershed Land cover % of Watershed plans for additional work in the near future. St. Helens, OR 97051 Agriculture 1% Agriculture <1% 503-397-3462 regen. forest <1% regen. forest 6% Watershed Plans, Assessments and Reports http://extension.oregonstate.edu/columbia Developed 53% Developed 10% The following are available through the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Scappoose Bay Watershed Council 811 SW Naito Parkway Suite 410 Low Veg 12% Low Veg <1% http://www.scappoosebay-wc.org/ Portland, OR 97204 tree Cover 28% tree Cover 75% 503-226-1565 n Lower Columbia River Basin Aquatic Inven- Water 6% Water <1% http://www.lcrep.org tories Project (Oregon Department of Fish and Forest Patches* 10% Forest Patches* 6% Wildlife, 1998) U S Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Restoration Program| Jurisdictions Jurisdictions n Scappoose Bay Watershed Assessment (David 1211 SE Cardinal Court, Suite 100 Metro UGB** 98% Camas 9% Evans and Associates, 2000) Vancouver, WA 98683 Rural 2% Metro UGB** 12% 360-604-2500 n A Comprehensive Assessment of Fish Passage http:// www.fws.gov/columbiariver *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. Vancouver 14% Barriers in the Scappoose Bay Watershed (David **Cities in Portland area UGB Evans and Associates, 2001) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Rural 65% 17330 SE Evelyn St, *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. n The Scappoose Bay Bottomlands Conservation Key Facts: The Willamette River – Frontal Colum- Clackamas, OR 97015 **Cities in Portland area UGB and Restoration Plan (The Wetland Conservancy, 971-673-6000 bia River Subbasin within the greater Portland- 2004) Vancouver region: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Key Facts: The Hayden Island-Columbia River n n Scappoose River Basin Aquatic Invento- 775 Summer St. NE, Suite 360 Is 54 percent developed, with only 2 percent watershed within the greater Portland-Vancou- ries Project - Stream Habitat Surveys (Oregon Salem OR 97301-1290 of the watershed outside of the Metro Urban ver region: Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2007 and 2009) 503-986-0178 Growth Boundary. This watershed is the most n Is the region’s smallest watershed, making up http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB urbanized watershed in region and makes up 4 n Scappoose Bay Watershed Rapid Bio-Assess- percent of the region’s total area. only 1 percent of the region. ment (Bio Surveys, 2008) n 8. Willamette River – Frontal n Is 40 percent vegetated (28 percent tree cover Is 75 percent water, reflecting the fact that the watershed consists of river islands and part of the n South Scappoose Creek Restoration Plan Columbia River Subbasin and plus 12 percent low vegetation)—a level that (Swanson Hydrology + Geomorphology, 2009) reflects the relatively high level of development. mainstem Willamette River. Hayden Island-Columbia River n n Hydrogeomorphic and Alternatives Assess- Watershed n Consists of 6 percent water. Bodies of water Is mostly within the FEMA 100-year floodplain ment Report: Scappoose Bay, Oregon (Herrera include Oaks Bottom and Smith and Bybee Wet- (more than 17,500 acres); this includes the river Environmental Consultants, Inc., 2010) Kaitlin Lovell, City of Portland lands Natural Area. itself. These two watersheds are combined for this n n Has 10,400 acres within the FEMA 100-year Includes nearly 1,000 acres of mapped watershed description, although watershed Organizations and Partners floodplain. wetlands. Scappoose Bay Watershed Council statistics are presented separately to illustrate the n 57420-2 Old Portland Rd. nature of the river island portion. Collectively, the n Includes about 1,500 acres of mapped wet- Is 7 percent developed (primarily on Hayden Warren, OR 97053 two watersheds cover 98,000 acres, contributing lands. and Government islands). 503-397-7904 5 percent of all acres within the greater Portland- n Has 10 percent low vegetation and some http://www.scappoosebay-wc.org Vancouver region. significant sand bars. This reflects the watershed’s Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District Within the region, the Willamette River – placement in the Willamette and corresponding and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Frontal Columbia River subbasin’s current land flood disturbance regime. 2414 Sykes Road cover includes (Tables 1-1 and 1-2 and first inset The habitats and biological communities of the St. Helens, OR 97051 box): Lower Willamette River are strongly influenced 503-397-4555 http://columbiaswcd.com by the landscape in which they occur and the

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170 years of changes that have shaped current and burned forest and about 6,000 acres of centers to operate at the conditions. The river channel and floodplain, prairie, while agriculture consumed about 5,000 river’s edge. Construc- wetlands, lakes, shoreline and sand bars, islands, acres each of prairie and riparian forest. Water tion of upstream dams and bluffs and ridges at the confluence of the Wil- features, primarily on the floodplain of the on both the lamette have undergone substantial change. These Columbia and Willamette rivers, have been sub- Willamette and Colum- features result in a biologically diverse albeit stantially reduced by filling or draining. bia rivers radically greatly simplified community in this now heavily The Willamette and Columbia rivers flowed altered the hydrology urbanized area.5 naturally until the 1930s, with high winter flows of the lower Willamette

Historical Condition of the Willamette River and peaks occurring in the late spring. Win- River, reducing winter The 187-mile-long Willamette River is the 19th ter and spring floods were both frequent and and spring discharge largest river in the U.S. by volume and drains important drivers of ecosystem function. They and increasing summer north into the Columbia River, the fourth largest recharged wetlands, activated side-channels, flow. The ecologically river, at Columbia River Mile 105.6 As with any moved sediments and wood, delivered nutrients, valuable annual flood watershed reach, the lower Willamette River and shaped the channel. The Columbia River fre- pulses of the past are reflects the cumulative impacts of conditions quently backed up into the Willamette and flowed largely gone. throughout the drainage area above it, includ- through many sloughs and gulches, including These altered pat- ing flood control dams on important tributaries, Sullivan’s Gulch (now Interstate 84), the Colum- terns enabled the development and urbaniza- numerous birds, amphibians, fish, and mammals. urbanization, and agriculture. However, the lower bia Slough, and Hawthorne Slough. Even this tion of the area as we know it today. To further During high flows these lakes were important Willamette River is also strongly influenced by far inland from the ocean, the Willamette River facilitate development, sea walls, levees, and sources of nutrients, sediment, wood deposi- geologic conditions quite different from those in experiences daily tides as far up as Willamette riprap structures reinforced the riverfront. The tion, and flow attenuation for the Willamette and the upper basin. As the river flows over Wil- Falls. This part of the river was dominated by river was dredged and cleared of snags and debris Columbia rivers. lamette Falls, it transitions from a wide river to beaches and wetlands with most water depths at to accommodate larger ships. Bridges for cars and Today, most of the lakes have been filled or a deep, naturally constrained river. The flood- 20 feet or less. The Columbia Slough and Sauvie railroads crisscrossed the river. As a result, 89 greatly reduced. The former Caruthers Lake now plain in this reach is very narrow, and some of Island floodplain wetland system spanned more percent of the historical off-channel habitat and supports the South Waterfront and Johns Landing the river’s deepest waters (100 feet or more) are than 55,000 acres and connected to both the floodplain was destroyed and 79 percent of the communities. Couch, Guilds, Doane, Ramsey found here. As the river passes Elk Rock Island, Willamette and Columbia rivers. shallow water habitat (approximately 780 acres) ,and Rivergate were filled to support industrial was lost through deepening. A series of levees development. Only a remnant of Doane Lake the channel re-opens. Historically this area was a Current Condition of the Willamette River managed by drainage districts has completely exists today, completely isolated from the Wil- dynamic delta full of braided channels, ephemeral The Willamette River – Frontal Columbia sub- disconnected the Columbia River from the flood- lamette River. The remaining lakes and wetlands streams, sloughs, lakes, and wetlands consistent basin is the most urbanized watershed with the 7 plain between the Willamette and Sandy rivers. at Oaks Bottom and Smith and Bybee Lakes show with a large, active floodplain. As it entered the greater Portland-Vancouver region, with 98 per- The Willamette River’s water quality declined evidence of historical landfill encroachment. All Columbia, the Willamette River was nearly one- cent of the region falling within the Metro Urban significantly but has recently improved somewhat are actively managed to maintain water levels for half mile wide, with a large shoal on the east river Growth Boundary. More than half of the land through expensive but effective efforts. The lower wildlife and invasive vegetation control. However, bank near Linnton. cover is mapped as developed. Portland (Oregon’s 6 miles of the Willamette River are a designated these bodies of water still support numerous spe- In 1850, this basin was composed of 31 per- largest city) sits on the lowest 19 miles of the Wil- federal Superfund site on the National Priorities cies of mammals and waterfowl, including osprey, cent coniferous forest, 24 percent burned forest, lamette’s riverbank and 17.8 miles of the Colum- List. blue herons, ducks, beavers, otters, coyote, and 13 percent prairie and savanna, 3 percent oak, bia’s. Portland is a major city at the confluence of native fish. and substantial floodplain and riparian forest. two large rivers, where river-dependant industry Lakes and Wetlands Between the lakes were extensive wetlands, Today, the basin is more than half urban, contain- thrived for decades; the city still provides sig- Several lakes occupied the west side of the river, side channels, and riparian forests. The massive ing the city of Portland and part of Gresham, and nificant jobs and benefits to the local economy. including Caruthers, Couch, Guilds, and Doane. Missoula (i.e., Bretz) Floods between 10,000 and 12 percent agriculture. Less than 1 percent of the Flooding and significant flow variation histori- On the east side were Oaks Bottom, Hawthorne 20,000 years ago left scours and deposits along basin is oak or prairie/savanna. Urban develop- cally made it difficult for businesses and urban Slough, Rivergate, Ramsey, and Smith and Bybee the banks, resulting in ridges and terraces that ment consumed about 40,000 acres of coniferous Lakes. These lakes were frequently connected to were covered in firs, oaks, and grasslands, with 5 the Willamette through braided channels or high Most of the information in this chapter was derived from Draft River Channel Characterization – Habitat and Biological Com- the Tualatin Hills to the west dominated by firs. munities (City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, 2003). More detailed evaluations are in the Willamette Watershed flows and provided important migration, nest- Subbasin Status reports at http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=30938& ing, rearing, and refugia habitat to migrating fish 6 USGS, http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1987/ofr87-242/ 7 1852 Government Survey Maps, available at: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ and waterfowl, as well as permanent residence to 286 287 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

River Islands Island: prairie grasslands and riparian forest with they tend to be altered and often isolated. The coyote, fox, and beaver still use the area. Reptiles When Lewis and Clark traveled down the Colum- mixed ash and cottonwood and some oak trees. westside uplands and hills remain the most intact and amphibians, including red-legged frogs, west- bia they initially missed the Willamette River The bluffs (discussed below) still contain some of but are impaired by large areas of invasive species ern painted turtles, and salamanders, are found in because the confluence area was hidden behind this remnant habitat. such as ivy and blackberry. the sloughs and wetlands. numerous islands. With the extensive shal- The transition from the uplands to the river The bluffs and higher forests provide habitat low water, ephemeral shoaling, dynamic delta, Upland Habitats and Connectivity has been heavily altered. Many of the creeks that for raptors such as hawks, eagles, osprey, and and Missoula Flood deposits, there were many The Missoula Floods are primarily responsible drain the west side have been piped underground, peregrine falcons; Neotropical migrants, includ- ephemeral islands in addition to large, permanent for the topography of the area that remains combined with sewer sent to the treatment plant, ing warblers, flycatchers, swallows, and tanagers; islands. Today we know those islands as Govern- today. On the east are buttes, terraces, and ridges, or eliminated altogether. The low-lying areas resident or short-distance migrant birds such as ment Island, Hayden Island, Sauvie Island, Swan surrounded by flatter lands consistent with an have been heavily developed. Riverview/Pow- robins, chickadees, wrens, thrushes, sparrows, Island, Ross Island, and Elk Rock Island. The alluvial floodplain. Before 1850 these areas were a ers Marine, Harborton forest and wetlands, and towhee, and kinglets; and bats. Remnant oak islands provided safe nesting and rearing sites for mix of wetland, prairie, oak, and mixed conifer- Kelley Point Park provide the few remaining areas habitats are also used by several oak specialist birds, migratory stopover habitat, flood attenu- deciduous and riparian forest. These areas were where there is some connectivity. As a result, the species, including slender-billed (white-breasted) ation, sources of gravel for mainstem spawning drained by numerous permanent and ephemeral tributary processes such as wood and sediment nuthatch, western gray squirrel (in some larger fish, wood for complexity, and other benefits to tributaries. As the habitat transitioned toward transport, off-channel habitat, riverine habitat, connected patches), and several moth and inver- the river. the river, it became a riparian forest with cedar, nutrient delivery, and cooling benefits have been tebrate species. Elk Rock Island currently represents the most cottonwood, willow, ash, and native shrubs. There significantly constrained. Lowland habitat that Although this represents robust biodiversity in intact example of the riverine islands. Its habitat are two distinctive bluffs on the east side of the differed in vegetation from the upland forest an urban area, it is a small fraction of the histori- is a mix of oak and madrone forest with some river—one near Swan Island and one near Oaks has been significantly altered and replaced with cal populations. Many of the remaining species firs, with emergent wetland vegetation near the Bottom—that continue to provide oak habitats. impervious surfaces. are tracked as ESA candidate species or state spe- fringes. Swan Island is completely altered, filled to These bluffs also provide unique habitat for hawks cies of concern. connect with the mainland and provide addition- and falcons. Currently, Portland’s total canopy Fish and Wildlife Species al development property. In the early 1900s Swan coverage is 27 percent. Lewis and Clark famously noted the abundant Conservation Priorities Island was the location for Portland Airport, The west side of the river is dominated by wildlife in the area: “I [s]lept but verry little last Conservation priorities and efforts for this water- before the area was developed for industrial use. the Tualatin Hills formation known as the West night for the noise Kept [up] during the whole shed are detailed in numerous local, state, and Undeveloped areas of Sauvie and Hayden islands Hills, which stretches from Tryon Creek to Sauvie of the night by the Swans, Geese, white and Grey federal documents. Generally, the documents pri- likely represent the type of habitat lost on Swan Island and includes Forest Park. In upland areas, Brant Ducks &c…they were emensely numerous, oritize protecting and restoring key habitats and oak occupied shallow and their noise horrid” (The Journals of Lewis reintroducing lost habitat types and species. This soils and drier micro- and Clark, p.277). It is difficult to know how is being partly addressed through acquisition, climates and mixed many species of fish were present historically. restoration, invasive species removal programs. conifer-deciduous Today, 61 fish species are present in the lower and land use planning. Water quality protection forest was the domi- Willamette, approximately half of them native. is also a key priority. Efforts include the largest nant landcover types. There are 16 salmon and steelhead species or infrastructure project in the history of Portland The river floodplain evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) that are to reduce the number of sewer overflows directly was a complex mix of protected under the federal Endangered Spe- into the Willamette and advancements in innova- wetland, riparian, and cies Act. Lamprey—a culturally and ecologically tive stormwater treatment such as green streets, floodplain types. significant native fish—are declining but still rain gardens, and ecoroofs. Finally, contaminated Large-scale vegeta- found in the lower Willamette and are harvested sediment remediation continues to be an ongoing tion removal occurred by tribal members at Willamette Falls. White and focus, especially with the cleanup of the Portland throughout this area green sturgeon species are believed to be declin- Harbor Superfund site and the ongoing remedia- but most predomi- ing in this area but research is ongoing. tion of the Columbia Slough sediments. Some of nantly on the east side Bottomland forests and wetlands provide the key programs that are occurring and ongo- because of urbaniza- habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and Neotropical ing in the area include Portland Harbor, the City tion and development. migratory birds, including songbirds, kingfishers, of Portland’s Watershed Management Plan and Remnant habitat cormorants, great blue herons, and ducks. Mam- River Plan, Metro’s Bond Measure Acquisition patches remain, but mal species such as river otter, mink, weasel, deer, Program, and a multi-jurisdictional sustainable

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Abernethy Creek-Willamette River Watershed 87,102 acres stormwater effort. n Lower Columbia Salmon Conservation and Key Facts: The Abernethy Creek-Willamette Into the future, climate change will have a pro- Recovery Plan Land cover % of Watershed River watershed within the greater Portland- found effect on the river and its habitats, resulting www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/CRP/lower_colum- Agriculture 30% Vancouver region: bia_plan.asp in changes to the diverse biological communities. regen. forest <1% n Has a high proportion of agriculture Some of the region’s governments are beginning (30 percent). n City of Portland Willamette Watershed Developed 15% to work on climate change adaptation plans, but Subbasin Plan www.portlandonline.com/bes/ water 2% n Consists of 79 percent rural lands, with these efforts and the implementation will need to index.cfm?c=30938& another 19 percent in the Metro Urban Growth accelerate in the future to maintain, protect, and Low Veg 10% Boundary. Developed cover is 15 percent. restore the existing and changing biodiversity of n Oregon Conservation Strategy tree Cover 43% www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/read_ the region. n Is 96 percent privately owned. the_strategy.asp Forest Patches* 31% Organizations and Partners — Willamette River Jurisdictions n Is more than half covered by trees (43 percent) and low vegetation (10 percent). n City of Portland – www.portlandonline.com/ Canby 3% 9. Abernethy Creek-Willamette n Has more than 3,900 acres within the FEMA n Metro Regional Government – Donald <1% River Watershed (Greater Oregon 100-year floodplain. www.metro-region.org City) Metro UGB** 19% n Includes more than 1,000 acres of mapped n Port of Portland – Rural 79% Rita Baker, Greater Oregon City Watershed wetlands. www.portofportland.com/SiteMap.aspx *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. Council **Cities in Portland area UGB The Abernethy Creek, Beaver Creek, and Wil- n Columbia Slough Watershed Council – The Greater Oregon City watershed is within the lamette River subwatersheds have been dramati- www.columbiaslough.org/ Willamette Basin in western Oregon. The water- during high-flow periods. cally altered over the years as a result of urbaniza- shed encompasses three primary subwatersheds: n Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife – The Greater Oregon City watershed con- tion, agriculture, and other land uses. Historically, www.dfw.state.or.us/ Abernethy Creek, Beaver Creek, and the Willa- tains four hydrogeologic units: unconsolidated old-growth and younger coniferous forest mette River. sedimentary aquifer, Troutdale gravel aquifer, covered about 52 percent of this subbasin, prairie n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Abernethy Creek enters the Willamette River Troutdale sandstone aquifer, and older rocks. and savanna covered about 25 percent, and oak http://www.fws.gov/ at River Mile 25 and is tidally influenced at its The rich history of the Oregon City area has about 11 percent. By 2010, more than 70 percent confluence with the river. Lower Columbia River n National Marine Fisheries Service of NOAA – been influenced by its strategic location near Wil- had been converted to agriculture and urban uses anadromous runs of coho salmon and steelhead www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ lamette Falls. Originally called Green Point, the (i.e., the cities of Canby, are present in the Abernethy Creek subwatershed. area served as a gathering spot for Native Ameri- Oregon City, West Linn, n Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Beaver Creek, of which Parrott Creek is a large cans who fished at Willamette Falls for more than and Wilsonville). All (LCREP) – www.lcrep.org/ tributary, enters the river above Willamette Falls 3,000 years. George Abernethy arrived in 1840 as of the historical prairie at RM 31. This system is not tidally influenced. part of a mission and homesteaded 640 acres just and savanna, about 60 n U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Because Beaver Creek is above the falls, and percent of the oak, and www.nwp.usace.army.mil/ north of present-day Oregon City. Oregon Trail historically blocked some fish runs, this stream is emigrants started arriving on rafts from Fort Van- about 30,000 acres of n Multnomah County Drainage District – part of the middle Willamette River system. The couver in 1843, often wintering at Abernethy’s conifer forest were split www.mcdd.org/ABOUTUS.html Beaver Creek subwatershed contains resident cut- house, to scout out land in the Willamette Valley, equally between agri- throat trout and lamprey and may now be acces- file their claim at the Government Land Office, culture and urban uses. n Portland State University – www.pdx.edu sible to Upper Willamette River steelhead. and resupply at Oregon City stores. Historically the areas The Willamette River subwatershed consists n Nonprofits such as Willamette Riverkeeper, Currently most land is privately owned. The along the streams were of small tributaries that begin within Oregon Audubon Society of Portland, Urban Greenspaces major land cover types and land uses are agri- occupied by a mix of Institute, Columbia Land Trust City and flow over steep-sided bluffs directly into cultural and rural residential land uses. Nine deciduous-coniferous the river. These small streams have very high percent of the watershed is covered by impervi- forests and wetlands. Resources — Willamette River gradients and do not contain salmonids, with ous surfaces. Riparian-area vegeta- n NOAA Fisheries Estuary Module the exception of lower channel habitats within The Abernethy Creek-Willamette River water- tion included red alder, www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/ the Willamette River floodplain. Fish occupy the shed makes up 5 percent of the total area within big-leaf maple, western ESA-Recovery-Plans/Estuary-Module.cfm lower floodplain portions of the small streams the greater Portland-Vancouver region. red cedar, and Douglas

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fir, with an understory (white-breasted) nuthatches and other oak-asso- Creek systems in the lower portions of the Aber- Stabilization Project, Lower Abernethy Creek, of fern, snowberry, ciated species. Stream corridors, including Newell nethy Creek subwatershed as priority areas for Clackamas County, Oregon. (C.W. Huntington, and salmonberry. The Creek, provide key habitat and the best remaining restoration activities. Collaboration with Metro 2007.) area along the Wil- wildlife connectivity from the river to other habi- on a portion of its 300 acres near OR-213 and n Abernethy and Newell Creeks Goals and lamette River between tat areas; for this reason, riparian enhancement Beavercreek Road is being explored at this time. Objectives (Metro, 2009) www.oregonmetro.gov/ Abernethy and Beaver would significantly benefit wildlife. A secondary priority is enhancing habitat in the index.cfm/go/by.web/id=26790 creeks consists of The Greater Oregon City watershed provides Beaver Creek-Parrott Creek confluence where upland bluffs and steep several large habitat blocks, including 300 acres a dam that had been historically present in one n Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosys- cliffs. Many of the area’s in Newell Creek Canyon in the Abernethy Creek form or another since the 1800s washed out in tems in the Willamette River Basin (I.R. Waite, unique and culturally subwatershed, 107 acres in the upper Abernethy 2009. Discussions have taken place and are ongo- S. Sobieszczyk, K.D. Carpenter, A.G. Arnsberg, significant plant spe- Creek headwaters, and 112 acres in the Willa- ing with landowners about potential alternatives H.M. Johnson, C.A. Hughes, M.J. Sarantou, and cies, including the state mette Narrows and Canemah Bluff in the Wil- for conservation and restoration opportunities. F.A. Rinella, 2008) endangered pale rock lamette River subwatershed. A dam near the confluence of Beaver and larkspur (Delphinium The April 2010 Greater Oregon City Water- Parrott creeks created an impoundment, Sevick Organizations and Partners — Abernethy Creek- leucophaeum) and shed Council (GOCW) assessment identified Pond, which backed up water in the area Willamette River Watershed camas (Camassia sp.), work needed on riparian habitat in 4 percent upstream and blocked fish access. This dam n City of Oregon City/Public Works – Eric Hand, are found in this area, of both the Abernethy Creek and Beaver Creek remained in place until the January 2009 flood, P.O. Box 3040, Oregon City, OR 97045 - 503-657- as they were histori- areas. Although the area covered by riparian which eroded the northern portion of the dam, 8241 cally. Historically, the upland bluffs contained vegetation is relatively small, it is disproportion- creating a channel that may be passable to fish. substantial oak and prairie habitats. ately important because it fulfills several critical Outreach to the landowners and intervention by n Clackamas Community College – Alison A 2010 watershed assessment evaluated cur- functions that promote healthy streams and fish wildlife agencies on attempted repairs to the dam Heimowitz, 19600 S. Molalla Avenue, Oregon rent conditions for riparian and wetland areas, populations: stream shade, food sources, and have netted a recent contact with the landowner’s City, OR 97045 – 503 -594-3696 using LiDAR-based imagery to assess vegetation large wood in the stream channel that creates consultant to begin a dialog that may result in n Clackamas County – Mark Mouser, 2051 Kaen within 100 feet on each side of the stream chan- pools, cover, and other high-quality fish habitat habitat restoration in the future. Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045 – 503-742-4400 nel. Approximately half of the Abernethy and elements. Although the Abernethy Creek and The Greater Oregon City Watershed Council Beaver Creek riparian areas are forested. Beaver Creek watersheds include substantial for- is also working on a complementary project with n Clackamas County Soil and Water Conser- Four salmonid species and a variety on native est, they contain very few large trees, so there are Clackamas Community College to plan for a vation District — Jenne Reische, 221 Molalla non-salmonid fish species inhabit the streams for few opportunities for large trees to fall and pro- green infrastructure stormwater project on cam- Avenue, Suite 102, Oregon City, OR 97045 – 503 at least a portion of their life cycle. Non-salmonid vide the amount of large wood to stream channels pus. The Clackamas Community College campus -210-6011 fish species include Pacific and brook lamprey, necessary for high-quality fish habitat. is located on the headwaters of Newell Creek. n Metro – Brian Vaughn, 600 NE Grand Avenue, cutthroat trout, sculpins, dace, and shiners. A comprehensive field inventory of invasive Portland, OR 97232 – 503 -797-1919 Coho salmon, fall Chinook salmon, and winter plants has not been completed for the subbasin, Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — steelhead were historically abundant in the lower but there are scattered observations. All five of Abernethy Creek-Willamette River Watershed n SOLV – Steve Kennett, 5193 NE Elam Young Willamette River and its tributaries. Anadromous the most common invasive plant species (Eng- n Newell Creek Watershed Restoration and Pkway, Suite B, Hillsboro, OR 97124 – 503-844- 9571 x318 fish in the watershed have experienced significant lish and Irish ivy, Himalayan blackberry, Scot’s Conservation Strategy (Clearwater BioStudies declines. The cutthroat trout has the widest distri- broom, reed canarygrass, and Japanese knotweed) Inc. Prepared for PACE Engineering, Oregon n Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife bution of any fish the Greater Oregon City water- were present in an inventory of the Newell Creek City, OR, and the John Inskeep Environmental Northwest Region Office – www.dfw.state.or.us/ Learning Center.) shed. Although lamprey have been declining in canyon, particularly along forest edge areas and agency/directory/local_offices.asp, 971-673-6000 abundance, the Willamette Basin still is probably highway corridors. n Greater Oregon City Watershed Assessment the most important production area for Pacific Protecting high-quality habitats for salmonids n Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board – and Action Plan, 2010 lamprey within the Columbia River system. and other species “anchor” the subbasin’s restora- www.oregon.gov/OWEB/, 503-986-0061 www.GOCWC.org. Despite its developed nature the watershed tion efforts and provide core areas that can be n Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation – provides feeding, breeding, and movement habi- enhanced and reconnected to the entire water- n Biological Assessment for Endangered Species www.owhf.org/, 503-255-6059 tat for a variety of songbirds, raptors, deer, small shed through restoration actions. The Greater Action Section 7 and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery mammals, amphibians, and other wildlife. Native Oregon City Watershed Council has identified Conservation and Management Act Essential Fish Oregon white oak remnants harbor slender-billed the Newell Creek, Holcomb Creek, and Potter Habitat Consultation, Clackamas County Bank

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Chehalem Creek-Willamette River Watershed 87,102 acres 10. Chehalem Creek – Willamette n Has about 7,600 acres within the FEMA 100- the Wapato Lake/Tualatin watershed and the Land cover % of Watershed River Watershed year floodplain. Willamette River. Agriculture 54% The watershed is home to sensitive plant and n Includes more than 1,200 acres of mapped Patricia Farrell, Yamhill Watershed wildlife species, including western gray squirrel, regen. forest <1% wetlands. Stewardship Fund flying squirrel, bobcat, western pond turtle, red- Developed 10% The Chehalem Creek - Willamette subwatershed Currently, the Chehalem Creek watershed has legged frog, pileated woodpecker, acorn wood- totals 78,245 acres, including 43,563 acres north Low Veg 6% extensive vineyards and numerous wineries, as pecker, western bluebird, northern goshawk, bald of the Willamette (Chehalem Creek) and 34,618 tree Cover 29% well as nurseries, grass seed, and specialty crops. eagle, white-breasted nuthatch, Kincaid’s lupine, acres south of it (Willamette watershed). The Previous watershed assessments indicate that Fender’s blue butterfly, Nelson’s and meadow Water 1% 68-square-mile (43,400-acre) Chehalem Creek forestry represents about 36 percent of the land checkermallow, and numerous species of bats. Watershed is located at the northeast end of Forest Patches* 21% use, urban uses are approximately 7 percent, and Chehalem Creek has mapped critical habitat Yamhill County. Elevations range from about 60 Jurisdictions 2 percent is in quarries. The City of Newberg for winter steelhead; however, passage is restrict- feet above sea level, at the Willamette River, to Dundee 1% has an urban reserve area and is proposing an ed at a culvert at Highway 240. Floodplain and more than 1,400 feet along the mountain ridge on expansion of its urban growth boundary to the riparian areas along the Willamette River and Ash Newberg 5% the east and northern fringe. The Chehalem and south for industrial lands. Highway 99 is the Island benefit instream habitat for spring Chi- Parrett Mountains form the northern and eastern st. Paul <1% major transportation corridor and source of nook salmon and winter steelhead trout. Native edge of the watershed, at elevations or 1,414 and Rural 93% traffic through the county. A traffic bottleneck cutthroat trout are also known to persist in the 1,247 feet, respectively. The Red Hills of Dundee, through Dundee has lead to efforts to construct watershed. *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. at elevation 1,067 feet, occupy the southwest a Newberg/Dundee bypass, and an environmen- Oregon State Parks owns Bald Peak State Park tal impact study has been undertaken. Except corner of the watershed. Combined conifer and mixed forest showed a net on Chehalem Mountain, Willamette Greenway for small urban areas, the creek drainages, and Unique in Yamhill County, the Chehalem gain of 10 percent cover, probably at the expense State Park at the eastern edge of the county, and Champoeg State Park, the Willamette portion is Creek watershed drains directly to the Willamette of oak in the absence of fire. The indigenous Champoeg State Park along the Willamette. dominated by agriculture, especially grass seed River, rather than the Yamhill River. The water- Che-ahm-ill people of the “Yam Hills” area (a Chehalem Parks and Recreation District operates and row crops. shed includes the urban areas of Newberg and subgroup of the Kalapuya nation) occupied the exclusively within the Chehalem Creek water- In the Chehalem Creek watershed, large Dundee. The 50-square-mile southern portion valley at the time of Euro-American contact until shed, with properties along Chehalem Creek, floodplain wetlands continue to persist in the of the watershed, known as French Prairie, is in they were moved, primarily to the Grand Ronde Springbrook Creek, and the Willamette River, upper valley, forming a nearly continuous land- northern Marion County, is primarily flat, and reservation in the Coast Range. as well as many other more urban or developed form with the Wapato Lake complex to the north; divided by Mission, Champoeg and Case creeks. The watershed covers about 4 percent of the parks and the Chehalem Glen Golf Course. however, many of the watershed’s streams and Chehalem Creek originates from springs, wet- total area in the greater Portland-Vancouver wetlands have been altered, ditched, and drained lands, and headwater streams 6 miles southeast of region. Gaston and discharge into the Willamette River for agriculture and development. Oak savanna has been mostly lost to Douglas fir forestry and between Newberg and Dundee. Other named Key Facts: The Chehalem Creek – Willamette River streams within the watershed include Spring- watershed within the greater Portland-Vancou- vineyard development. Riparian cover has been brook, Hess, Harvey, Dopp, and Bryan creeks. ver region: greatly reduced. At least seven small dams have Chehalem Valley soils are a complex mix of been constructed for agricultural purposes. Other n Has the highest proportion of agriculture (54 volcanic and sedimentary types. The creeks flow fish barriers include culverts on most streams. percent) of any watershed in the region. generally north through deep alluvial soil. Streamflow has been altered by groundwater Historically, the Chehalem subbasin was n Consists of 10 percent developed land, much of wells for domestic and agricultural purposes, and covered almost entirely by oak (60 percent) and which is in Newberg. A total of 7 percent of the the Oregon Water Resources Department has prairie (29 percent), the most extensive occur- watershed lies within an urban growth boundary. designated a groundwater-limited zone in the rences of these cover types in the greater Port- Chehalem Mountain area. n Has relatively little tree cover (29 percent), land-Vancouver region. Almost all of this oak and The Chehalem Creek watershed includes the which reflects the watershed’s agricultural nature. prairie—approximately 30,000 acres of oak and interesting landscape formations of the Chehalem nearly 20,000 acres of prairie—were converted to n Has 6 percent low-structure vegetation cover, Mountains, the Willamette River, the Red Hills of agriculture and urban uses (i.e., approximately some of which likely is in vineyards. Dundee, and the upper Chehalem Valley wet- 8,000 acres of oak in Dundee and Newberg). lands. The Chehalem Valley forms a link between

294 295 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Preliminary analy- subdivision. In addition, wet and upland prairie n City of Dundee, http://www.dundeecity.org/ n Chehalem Heritage Trail (Parks and Recreation sis is under way for habitats could be restored in the watershed and District) n an expanded trail landowner interest in conservation easements Yamhill County, http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/ http://www.cprdnewberg.org/ChehalemHeritag- eTrails/index.shtml system linking the exceeds the capacity of agencies to respond n Marion County, http://www.co.marion.or.us/ various parks and open to requests. Acquisition of land on Ash Island n Willamette River Water Trail spaces and connecting represents a mainstem Willamette conservation n Chehalem Parks and Recreation – http://www.willamettewatertrail.org/ regional trails. There opportunity. Priorities include: Don Clemens, [email protected] are no county parks in n Inventory, restoration, and preservation of oak n Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District – the watershed. 11. Molalla-Pudding Subbasin habitats Tim Stieber, [email protected] The Chehalem n Michael Moody, Molalla River Alliance Creek–Willamette Upper Chehalem Valley wetland restoration n George Fox College – Clyde Thomas cthomas@ Lori Hennings, Metro watershed has several georgefox.edu n Prairie species restoration and conservation of the priority habitats Includes these named USGS HUC watersheds: n Yamhill Watershed Stewardship Fund – listed in the Oregon n Riparian enhancement for temperature Lower Molalla River Patricia Farrell, [email protected] Conservation Strategy, reduction and soil stability Rock Creek including oak habitats, n Yamhill Partners for Land and Water – Patricia Senecal Creek – Pudding River n Restoration of floodplain and off-channel habi- riparian bottomland Farrell, [email protected];Will Neuhauser, tats along Willamette River and Chehalem Creek forest, freshwater [email protected] The Molalla-Pudding subbasin is located in aquatic habitats, and wetlands. Both the Oregon n Pond turtle habitat conservation the northeastern portion of the middle Willa- n Department of Fish and Wildlife and The Nature Friends of Yamhill County – Ilsa Perse mette Basin and covers approximately 561,000 Conservancy have been mapped Conservation n Improved agricultural practices to improve acres, including 181,000 acres within the greater n U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish water quality Opportunity Areas in the watershed. These prior- and Wildlife Program – Chris Seal, chris_seal@ Portland-Vancouver region. The headwaters of ity habitats include Tier 1 wetlands, oak, mid- Several Wetlands Reserve Program and oak fws.gov the 53-mile-long Molalla River are located near elevation forest, floodplain forest, and riparian savanna projects are already under way. Both the the Table Rock Wilderness within the Cascade n forest. City of Dundee and the Chehalem Parks and Rec- Natural Resource Conservation Service – Range. This dam-free river flows through basalt Kim Hudnall, District Conservationist, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has mapped reation District are eager to invest in the oppor- rock canyons and conifer forests before reaching 503-472-1474 X 101 all of Yamhill County under its recovery plan for tunities for recreation along the Willamette River agricultural land, flowing through the cities of prairie species in western Oregon and southwest- and its greenway and throughout the Chehalem Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — Molalla and Canby and then into the Willamette ern Washington. Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife watershed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has Chehalem Creek Watershed River between River Miles 35 and 36 near Canby. Service and the Yamhill Soil and Water Conser- The Pudding River is 62 miles long and originates begun to acquire land for its Wapato Lake Wild- n Chehalem Watershed Assessment (Yamhill vation District are working with landowners to life Refuge, which is part of the Tualatin Refuge Basin Council, 2001) in the low-elevation Waldo Hills east of Salem. preserve and enhance habitat for listed species, system. Although this new refuge is just over https://nrimp.dfw.state.or.us/DataClearinghouse/ Within the greater Portland-Vancouver region, including Kincaid’s lupine, Fender’s blue butterfly, the county line, it is on the flyway of migratory default.aspx?pn=viewrecord&XMLname=120. the subbasin encompasses three major water- and Nelson’s checkermallow. waterfowl and songbirds and thus provides the xml sheds: Senecal Creek–Pudding River (53 square The watershed has ample opportunities for watershed’s residents with nearby opportunities miles), Rock Creek (86 square miles), and Lower n Yamhill Basin Council 2005 Action Plan for the restoration and enhancement. The upper Che- for bird watching and passive recreation. Oregon Molalla River (144 square miles). The middle and Yamhill River and Chehalem Creek Watersheds halem valley has extensive farmed or grazed State Parks is restoring oak and prairie habitat at upper portions of the subbasin lie outside the wetlands that present restoration and conserva- Champoeg State Park. n Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District greater Portland-Vancouver region and are a mix tion opportunities. The mid-valley supports Strategic Plan http://www.yamhillswcd.org/ of private agriculture and forest lands. The Bureau large tracts of intact riparian floodplain forest Organizations and Partners — Chehalem Creek about_us/StrategicPlan07.pdf of Land Management owns 67 square miles in the along Highway 240 that could be conserved and Watershed upper Molalla watershed, known as the Molalla enhanced. The confluences of the local creeks n The Nature Conservancy – Conservation River Recreation Corridor. n Greater Yamhill Watershed Council – and the Willamette River create opportunities Action Plan for Yamhill County (in progress) Bernadette Hansen gywc_administrator@ Within the greater Portland-Vancouver region, for both conservation and restoration of riparian the Molalla - Pudding subbasin contributes 10 co.yamhill.or.us n Natural Resources Conservation Service and off-channel habitats. Springbrook Creek also Strategic Plan (draft, not available on web) percent of the area. has potential for restoration as part of a planned n City of Newberg, http://www.newbergoregon. gov/ 296 297 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Molalla-Pudding Subbasin (partial) 180,960 acres ago. These events created a variety of ancient Historical Land Use and Vegetation Species, Habitats, Threats, and Conservation and Land cover % of Watershed bogs, marshes, and swamps that influence soils, The Molalla River and the adjacent Table Rock Restoration Opportunities

Agriculture 43% wetlands, and topography in the subbasin today. Wilderness provided important trade routes The river and its surrounding lands are at risk The Senecal Creek-Pudding River water- across the Cascades between indigenous peoples from impacts of agriculture, timber harvesting, regen. forest 3% shed lies primarily in Marion County, with the of the northern Willamette Valley and eastern urbanization, and climate change. Developed 8% northeastern portion in Clackamas County. Mill, Oregon. The Molalas were the primary native Water Quality Senecal, and Deer creeks merge and enter the inhabitants. They relied heavily on deer, elk, Low Veg 4% Agriculture and forest practices exert the most Pudding River near Aurora. The Pudding enters salmon, and seasonal resources such as roots, tree Cover 42% pressure on the subbasin’s water quality, quan- the Molalla River at the northernmost portion seeds, nuts, and berries. Camas growing in wet tity, and hydrologic patterns. These alterations Water <1% of the watershed, about 1 mile from the Molalla- prairie was common and regularly harvested. can lead to changes in peak and low flows, as Forest Patches* 37% Willamette confluence. Agriculture is the primary Modern settlers arrived around the 1840s and well as surface and groundwater yield within land use, but the subbasin also includes the small initiated agriculture almost immediately. The Jurisdictions a watershed. Agricultural activities such as city of Aurora and the larger city of Woodburn. Molalla River and its tributaries were heavily Aurora <1% clean-tilling of the soil, disruption and removal Both cities are considered to be part of the Salem logged from the late 1940s though 1970; during of riparian vegetation, and stream channeliza- Barlow <1% metropolitan statistical area. this period logging practices included the use tion affect water quality (pesticides and excess The Rock Creek watershed is in Clackamas of splash dams, which are temporary structures Canby 1% nutrients) and hydrology. Stream channelization County. The upper (southern) area includes sub- that block the flow of the river. The lack of forest Donald <1% on agricultural lands has occurred throughout stantial privately owned forest in the foothills of practice rules allowed logging to the river edge. the lower subbasin. Forest practices, such as road Hubbard <1% the Cascades, with the remainder dominated by Local residents reported that the slightest rains building, the use of splash dams, and the removal Molalla 1% agriculture. Major tributaries include Cedar, Bear, during this time caused the river to run bright red and disturbance of timber and other vegetation, Kaiser, Teasel, Comer, and Marquam creeks. because of the large amounts of exposed soils and Woodburn 2% also influence the quantities and rates of runoff, The Lower Molalla River watershed, which sediment. Rural 96% evapotranspiration, and infiltration. also is in Clackamas County, has more than 40 Historically, 72 percent of the Molalla Basin Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. percent tree cover, including substantial amount was split evenly between coniferous forest and Act requires states to list rivers and other water of forestlands in the eastern two-thirds of the prairie or savanna, with another 11 percent in bodies that do not meet water quality standards. drainage. The remainder of the Lower Molalla oak. By 2010, 50 percent of the basin had been Key Facts: The Molalla-Pudding subbasin within According to the total maximum daily load for River watershed is in agriculture (43 percent) and converted to agriculture, which consumed about the greater Portland-Vancouver region: the Molalla-Pudding subbasin (issued by the several relatively small urban areas. Beavercreek 50,000 acres of prairie and savanna and 10,000 n Is 97 percent privately owned. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Mulino are hamlets, a model of governance acres of oak. An additional 10,000 acres of oak in December 2008) 14 reaches in the subbasin n in Clackamas County representing a type of were converted to urban use (i.e., the cities of Lies mostly (96 percent) outside urban growth are water-quality impaired, including the entire rural subdivision. The Molalla River runs south Aurora, Hubbard, Molalla, and Woodburn, and boundaries. Molalla River mainstem. As with streams in many to northeast through this watershed, entering part of Canby). The extent of combined conifer- n other watersheds in the greater Portland-Vancou- Is 8 percent developed. the Willamette River east of Wilsonville. Major ous and mixed forest has remained about the ver region, elevated water temperature is identi- tributaries include Beaver, Buckner, Cedar, Little same. n Has nearly equal amounts of tree cover fied as as a key problem. Cedar, and Milk creeks. Current streamside vegetation is highly vari- (42 percent) and agriculture (43 percent). Temperature affects rearing and spawning The Molalla-Pudding subbasin provides the able, but often streamside vegetation is scarce habitat for salmonids. The reasons for increased n Has nearly 11,000 acres within the FEMA region with important natural resources, includ- or dominated by invasive species. Potential water temperatures are many, including removal 100-year floodplain. ing high-quality agricultural soils and timber pro- streamside vegetation includes black cottonwood, of riparian vegetation, logging, land use changes, duction lands. The Molalla River is the primary Oregon ash, western Hawthorne, bigleaf maple, n Includes about 3,800 acres of mapped and road building. Warming temperatures source of drinking water for more than 20,000 and shrubs such as willow, dogwood, hazelnut, wetlands. that are projected to occur over the next sev- citizens of Canby and Molalla and offers recre- and snowberry. Current upland vegetation is eral decades will exacerbate water temperature The subbasin’s soils, geology and habitat were ational opportunities and many acres of native highly mixed and includes crop and pasture land, problems, hydrology will change, and the amount influenced by glaciers and sediment deposition, fish and wildlife habitat, including cold-water coniferous and deciduous forest, and orchards. of thermally suitable habitats will shrink. Small including the Missoula Floods about 10,000 years spawning streams for fish. Small remnants of oak and prairie are largely cold-water tributaries will be vital in ensuring unmapped. that the Molalla-Pudding system is as resilient as possible to these expected changes, and that 298 299 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

it remains healthy and ning efforts have identified the need to recover tree frog, Pacific giant salamander, and the com- approximately 7,000 acres of riparian land along productive for native all historical populations of Chinook in the mon garter snake. Many song birds breed, forage, the river. fish and as a drink- Upper Willamette ESU, including in the Molalla- and migrate through the area, as do geese, wood Several local organizations, including Molalla ing water source. To Pudding subbasin. Abundance and productivity ducks, grouse, pileated woodpeckers, American RiverWatch and many volunteers, are working achieve this, such information indicate that the subbasin’s Chinook dippers, great blue heron, osprey, and common with federal, state and local agencies as well as tributaries need to be population is likely close to extirpation and has and hooded mergansers. local landowners to protect the Molalla River, protected from excess been assigned an extinction risk category of very Low-lying and foothill areas in the subbasin restore its fish and wildlife, and encourage tour- nutrients, sediments, high (see the Oregon Department of Fish and include native Oregon white oak and prairie rem- ism. A fish barrier on Russell Creek was replaced and debris from log- Wildlife’s Upper Willamette River Conserva- nants, although thorough mapping has yet to be to open up passage for winter steelhead, coho ging and agriculture. tion and Recovery Plan for Chinook Salmon and done. These habitats support numerous sensitive, salmon, and resident rainbow and cutthroat Stream side shade Steelhead). threatened, or endangered plants and animals, trout. Local organizations are actively seeking needs to be retained to such as western gray squirrel and white-breasted funding to open more streams to fish passage Steelhead keep streams cool. nuthatch. and improve spawning and rearing habitat. Each The Molalla wild winter steelhead run is part of Other water qual- Molalla River State Park protects the conflu- year the Native Fish Society guides volunteers in the Upper Willamette ESU, which was federally ity issues in various ence of the Pudding, Molalla, and Willamette conducting surveys and placing hatchery salmon listed as threatened under the Endangered Species areas of the subbasin rivers. The floodplains of these rivers provide carcasses for nutrient enrichment in the upper Act in 1999. The Molalla River population is now include nitrates, dis- important habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, watershed. considered a stronghold population. For decades solved oxygen, fecal deer, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The Molalla River Alliance, Molalla River- before 1997, the Molalla River was stocked with bacteria, metals (iron, A blue heron rookery, one of the largest in the Watch, and the Native Fish Society created the out-of-basin summer steelhead, winter steelhead manganese and arsenic; the latter two may occur Willamette Valley, is located in Molalla River Molalla River Resource Center in downtown and coho salmon. These stockings, combined naturally), and legacy pesticides—primarily DDT State Park. Molalla so that the community has a central with heavy timber harvest in the mid-century, led and dieldrin. location for information on the Molalla River and to the sharp decline of this population. Stocking Watershed Priorities its recreational opportunities. The Molalla River Fish stopped with the listing of native winter steelhead The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Alliance is also engaged in environmental educa- The headwaters of the Molalla River provide vital and spring Chinook salmon. Only a decade ago, Upper Willamette River Conservation and Recov- tion through schools and guided field trips, trash spawning, rearing, and migration areas for two Molalla River wild winter steelhead were esti- ery Plan for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead lists pick-up parties, trail improvement, and removal ESA-listed fish: wild winter steelhead and spring mated to number fewer than 200 fish, but in 2007 water quality (including water temperature), of invasives. Chinook salmon. The river also has resident and 2008 the estimate grew to more than 1,500 habitat access, and physical habitat quality as rainbow and cutthroat throat and a reintroduced fish, according to Oregon Department of Fish and some of the factors limiting the viability of fish Organizations and Partnerships population of coho salmon. Butte Creek, which Wildlife and Native Fish Society reports. populations in the upper Willamette River and becomes the Pudding River south of the Senecal its tributaries. The plan recommends several Molalla RiverWatch Creek–Pudding River watershed, has some of Trout, Lamprey, and Coho Salmon strategic actions, such as restoring fish passage, Contact: Bruce Taylor, [email protected], the best remaining and potential salmon habitat The upper Molalla River has a healthy popula- improving water quality (especially temperature), 503-824-2195 and is identified as an important priority in fish tion of native cutthroat and resident rainbow improving habitat access through river resto- Molalla RiverWatch is a nonprofit organization recover. trout. A remnant population of Pacific lamprey ration, protecting habitat quality by reducing created in 1992 by local citizens to protect, preserve, also remains in the river. In addition, Native Fish forestry impacts, and successfully designating the and restore the flora, fauna, and water quality of Chinook Salmon the Molalla River and its tributaries. The Oregon Society observations and Willamette Falls fish Molalla a Wild and Scenic River. The key prior- The Molalla River historically supported relatively counts indicate that a run of reintroduced coho Watershed Enhancement Board recognizes Molalla ity for groups working on the Molalla River is to RiverWatch as the Molalla River Watershed Council. abundant Chinook populations, but these dwin- salmon from a stocking program that was discon- preserve or improve the water quality of the river The council is committed to promoting respect and dled through the 20th century because of habitat tinued in 1998 has had a steady and significant and sustain the people, wildlife, fish and plants understanding of the Molalla River watershed through conditions caused by agricultural and forest prac- linear increase. that inhabit its watershed. education and conservation for current and future tices, urbanization, out-of-basin stockings, and generations Wildlife and Key Habitat Areas . poaching in summer holding areas. The Molalla Initiatives Currently Under Way Within the greater Portland-Vancouver region, spring Chinook salmon run is part of the Upper The Molalla River Alliance initiated and leads the Molalla-Pudding subbasin supports deer, elk, Willamette evolutionary significant unit (ESU), efforts to secure federal Wild and Scenic River native squirrels, beaver, mountain beaver (aplo- which was federally listed as threatened under the designation for approximately 22 miles of the dontia), raccoons, fox, coyotes, cougar, and bear. Endangered Species Act in 1999. Recovery plan- upper river. The designation would protect Wet areas support rough-skinned newt, Pacific 300 301 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Tualatin Subbasin 453,180 acres The Molalla River Alliance n Molalla River-Table Rock Recreation Area 12. Tualatin Subbasin Contact: Michael Moody, Molalla River Alliance, Management Plan (Bureau of Land Management, Land cover % of Watershed Rich Hunter, Clean Water Services [email protected], 503- 699-8704 August 2011) Agriculture 22% www.blm.gov/or/districts/salem/plans/molalla/ Monica Smiley, Tualatin Riverkeepers The Molalla River Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of regen. forest 8% more than 45 civic and conservation organizations; documents.php April Olbrich, Tualatin River Watershed Council local, state, and federal agencies; user groups; and Brian Wegener, Tualatin Riverkeepers Developed 13% n Molalla-Pudding-French Prairie-North property owners. Founded in 2008, the alliance’s key Low Veg 7% conservation priorities are to preserve water quality; Santiam Subbasins Agricultural Water Qual- Includes these named USGS HUC watersheds: sustain the watershed’s wildlife, fish and plants; and ity Management Area Plan. Developed by The Gales Creek tree Cover 49% Molalla-Pudding-French Prairie-North Santiam promote a safe and healthy environment that encour- Scoggins Creek-Tualatin River Water 1% ages diverse recreational and tourism opportunities. Subbasins Local Advisory Committee with assis- Dairy Creek Forest Patches* 47% Some of the alliance’s members and partners include: tance from the Oregon Department of Agricul- Rock Creek-Tualatin River American Rivers ture and Marion Soil and Water Conservation Fanno Creek-Tualatin River Jurisdictions American Whitewater District, March 2004. Banks <1% Back Country Horsemen n The Tualatin River watershed is 712 square miles, Back Country Hunters and Anglers The ecological and recreational benefits of the Gaston <1% more than twice the size of any other watershed BARK Molalla River, Oregon (Kavita Heyn, American in the greater Portland-Vancouver region. The Metro UGB** 19% Bureau of Land Management Rivers and Russell Bassett, Native Fish Society, City of Molalla June 2009) watershed includes all of Washington County and north Plains <1% Clackamas County Parks & Recreation small portions of Multnomah, Clackamas, Yam- Rural 81% n Oregon Conservation Strategy Clackamas County Sheriff hill, Tillamook, and Columbia counties. Wash- http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/ *Tree/regen. forest patches >30 acres. Ecotrust ington County is Oregon’s second most populous **Cities in Portland area UGB. Freshwater Trust n Willamette Total Maximum Daily Load county, with 529,710 residents (2010 estimate) Hamlet of Mulino (TMDL) (Oregon Department of Environmental and includes the cities of Banks, Beaverton, Cor- Molalla RiverWatch Quality, 2006) www.deq.state.or.us. nelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, originate mostly in the Coast Range (more than Molalla Pioneer King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard and 3,000 feet in elevation), although tributaries flow n Molalla Police Department Upper Willamette River Conservation and Tualatin. from a rim along the north, east, and south that Native Fish Society Recovery Plan for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead The Tualatin River watershed is a low-eleva- includes the Tualatin, Chehalem, and Parrett NOAA Fisheries (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, August tion, low-gradient watershed whose headwaters Mountains, at 1,000, 1,630, and 1,240 feet maxi- North America Salmon Stronghold 2011) Northwest Steelheaders www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/CRP/upper_willamette_ Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife river_plan.asp Oregon Department of Forestry Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality n Oregon State University Institute for Water and Oregon Equestrian Trails Watersheds. The IWW is the state water resources Oregon Wild research institute for Oregon and contains a Sierra Club Oregon library of watershed publications. Oregon State Wild Salmon Center University, Corvallis, OR. Willamette Riverkeeper http://water.oregonstate.edu/

n Willamette Valley Planning Atlas: Trajectories Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports of Environmental and Ecological Change (Pacific n Lower Molalla River and Milk Creek Water- Northwest Research Consortium, 2002, Oregon shed Assessment (ABR Inc., 2004, prepared for State University Press, Corvallis, OR) Molalla Riverwatch) n Pudding River Watershed Assessment n Molalla River Watershed Analysis (Bureau of (Pudding River Watershed Council, Adolfson Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, 1999, Associates, Alsea Geospatial, 2006) BLM Salem District Office, Salem, OR. 242 pp.) n Molalla-Pudding Watershed Profile (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2007) www.epa.gov. 302 303 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Tualatin. When European immigrants arrived less n Contributes 26 percent each of the region’s Beginning in 1938, drinking water was than 200 years ago, the Twuality numbered in the forest patches and interior forest habitat. imported from Portland’s Bull Run water supply. thousands. The Twality lived mainly on big game Barney Reservoir was built in the late 1960s to n Has nearly 41,400 acres within the FEMA and traded with people in neighboring water- supply water to Hillsboro from the neighboring 100-year floodplain. sheds. They burned some lowlands and open Trask River watershed; in 1998, Barney Reser- meadowlands for hunting. After Fort Vancouver n Includes about 8,700 acres of mapped wet- voir was enlarged from 4,000 to 20,000 acre-feet. was built in the 1820s, farming began in the lands. Increases in the human population and agricul- Tualatin River watershed, which at that time was tural water demand led to construction in 1978 Given the Tualatin Basin’s historically extensive about 80 percent forest. By 1855, the last year of of Scoggins Dam, which has a storage capacity marshes, swamps, and large woody debris jams, the Donation Lands Claim Act, about 350 farms of 56,000 acre-feet. In the 1960s, wastewater had which obstructed channels up to 1 mile in some had been claimed in the watershed, occupying also become a serious water quality problem locations, flooding was a continual concern of land as far west as River Mile 67, current location and led to a development moratorium. Over the the settlers. One of the first businesses was the of the city of Cherry Grove, near Gaston. years, wastewater released to the river had come manufacturing of tiles to drain wetlands. Farmers Historically, the Tualatin Basin was approxi- from municipal sewage, canneries, meatpacking, drained much of the lowlands to plant crops and mately 51 percent coniferous forest, 20 percent tanneries, paperboard plants, and food products. develop pasture for cattle. Settlers built canals, oak, and 12 percent each burned forest and The Unified Sewerage Agency (or USA, which is ditches, dikes, and dams, harvested timber, and prairie or savanna. By 2010, about one-quarter of now called Clean Water Services) was established modified the river and its tributaries to get logs the basin had been converted to agriculture and in 1970 to improve water quality with expanded to the mills. Perhaps one of the biggest impacts to about 20 percent to urban uses (i.e., the cities of regional wastewater treatment capacity for mum elevations, respectively. Annually, more the river between 1850 and 1890 was the clearing Aloha, Banks, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Gaston, municipal and industrial sources. than 1.1 million acre-feet of water flow out of the of woody debris jams to allow steamboat passage. Hillsboro, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tuala- In 1986, the Northwest Environmental watershed into the Willamette River; this includes An estimated 60 percent of the original wetlands tin). Because the Tualatin Basin is the largest in Defense Center, concerned about low dissolved water imported from the Trask River and Bull were lost as a cumulative result of these practices. the region, acreage associated with land conver- oxygen levels and high phosphorus and algal Run water supply. Nearly 85 percent of this flow Railroad construction began in 1887, and the sion appears inordinately large when compared to levels in the Tualatin River, filed the first suc- is discharged between November and March, river was judged unworthy for steamboat travel that in other basins. Agriculture consumed about cessful lawsuit to require enforcement of the with less than 3 percent typically discharged dur- in 1895. By the 1910s, railroads had brought 40,000 acres each of conifer forest, oak, and prai- total maximum daily load (TMDL) section of ing June through October. Contributing to this extensive investment from eastern timber com- rie or savanna. Urban uses consumed about the the Clean Water Act. The Oregon Department of flow are eight major tributaries: Gales, Scoggins, panies and expanded the pace of logging. Around same amount of forest cover, about 30,000 acres Environmental Quality adopted and apportioned Wapato, Dairy, Rock, McFee, Chicken, and Fanno 1900, several dams were built in the watershed to of oak, and 15,000 acres of prairie and savanna. TMDLs for ammonia, nitrogen (to improve dis- creeks. generate electricity but have since been removed Combined coniferous and mixed forest experi- solved oxygen levels), and phosphorus (to reduce The Tualatin River drops about 2,700 feet over or failed. Drainage of lowlands for agriculture enced an overall decline of about 10 percent. algal levels) in 1988. In the 1990s, DEQ added its first 14 miles, then slowly meanders gener- continued, affecting Wapato Lake (which is now The Tualatin Basin is the region’s largest temperature, bacteria, and dissolved oxygen to ally eastward for the rest of its 83-mile length. It partially included in the Tualatin River National watershed and makes up about one-quarter of the the list of water quality impairments. In 2001, enters the Willamette River just upstream of Wil- Wildlife Refuge) and Lake Lousignot. By the entire region. DEQ issued TMDLs for those pollutants and lamette Falls (at River Mile 28.5) through a steep, 1940s, crops consumed more water as a result of updated the earlier phosphorus and ammonia walled canyon, falling about 50 feet over its last electric irrigation pumps. The combined effects of Key Facts: The Tualatin subbasin within the TMDLs. The entire Tualatin Basin is included 3 miles. Other low notches in the mountain rim logging, drainage, and pumping for irrigation led greater Portland-Vancouver region: under the Willamette TMDL, which addresses are found at Wapato Lake, Oswego Notch, and to heavy winter flows and almost no late sum- n temperature, bacteria, and mercury. Both water Tonquin. Through these low spots, the prehistoric Consists of 81 percent rural lands (i.e., not mer flows in the river. Irrigation demands rose within an urban boundary), but also has as a quality management practices and flow augmen- Bretz (or Missoula) Floods of 13,000 to 15,000 with the growth of nursery and berry crops. In significant portion within the Metro Urban tation have been undertaken to improve water years ago filled the Tualatin Basin with approxi- the 1950s, near the city of Tualatin, water would Growth Boundary, such as the cities of Beaverton, quality during the low-flow period. Clean Water mately 500 feet of water. The floods deposited sometimes flow upstream in the river. Low sum- Hillsboro, Tualatin, and Sherwood. Services (known as USA at the time) expanded deep layers of sediment and left a landscape of mer flows resulted in high levels of phytoplankton its tertiary treatment at two of its treatment plants swamps, marshes. and prairies. Scabland channels n Is 12 percent publicly owned and contributes growth and low dissolved oxygen concentrations, in the early 1990s to comply with the discharge from these floods can still be seen at Tonquin. 23 percent of the region’s total public lands. especially in the lower river, which in some spots limits. During the summer, Tualatin River flow is Approximately 10,000 years ago, a group of a person could straddle. These conditions led to increased by as much as one-third of its natural Kalapuya (the Twality or Atfalati) settled the development of water resources in the watershed. 304 305 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

flow from Henry Hagg Lake, Barney Reservoir, communities and species across a spectrum of of sensitive amphibians and reptiles are known, and wastewater treatment plant effluent. Stored mountain forests, valley woodlands, grasslands, including northern red-legged frogs, western water is now managed to maintain minimum and floodplains, and these present excellent painted turtles, and western pond turtle. In the monthly mean flow of 120 cubic feet per second conservation opportunities. Despite many threats, absence of trapping during the last decade, beaver (cfs) from June to August and 150 cfs for Septem- the basin still harbors many significant popula- have made rapid gains and recolonized many of ber to November at RM 33.3. The river is now tions of special-status and sensitive species in the basin’s creeks, to the benefit of many species. intensively managed, but its water quality is vastly aquatic, wetland, and upland habitats. One of the Although old-growth forests are scarce, the basin improved. most significant features of the basin is the river’s is host to several sensitive late-successional forest The watershed’s land uses today are approxi- 58-mile-long floodplain, which is consistently wildlife species, including northern spotted owl, mately 50 percent forest, 30 percent agriculture, noted as a regionally significant biodiversity Townsends big-eared bat, marbled murrelet, and and 20 percent urban. Most of the working forest- resource. (For example, in the Oregon Con- northern flying squirrel. The basin also supports lands are found in the Coast Range, in the upper servation Strategy, it is included as Willamette numerous elk, deer, muskrat, otter, cougar, and portion of the watershed, while the rest of the rim Valley Conservation Opportunity Area 5.) The bobcat, along with a variety of other wildlife. contains urban, rural residential, and agricultural floodplain and associated valley wetlands contain Approximately 55,000 acres (12 percent) of areas. The lower watershed’s broad alluvial valley vitally important waterfowl habitats in the Pacific the Tualatin Basin is held by public entities for encompasses both the residential, commercial, Flyway. Moving west from Wapato Lake, Patton natural resource, open space, and park purposes, and industrial urban core and diverse, productive Valley and the area upstream to Cherry Grove but only a small fraction of these properties is acres of Tualatin River floodplain and wetlands at agricultural lands. have been noted as an important conservation managed primarily for biodiversity conservation. Jackson Bottom and Fern Hill wetlands. Since the nineteenth century, humans have opportunity. More than three-quarters of the basin’s natural The Coast Range portion of the basin also vastly altered ecosystems in the Tualatin River Migrating birds routinely number in the thou- resource land is located outside urban areas, with has some large public holdings in addition to watershed. More than half its area has been sands at several key sites. Species include tundra the largest owners being the Oregon Department Tillamook State Forest and the BLM parcels. converted from the original forest and flood- swans; cackling, Canada, and dusky Canada of Forestry (approximately 25,000 acres in Tilla- There are patches of high-quality mixed conifer- plain habitat to urban or agricultural use, and geese; northern pintail; canvasbacks; blue-winged mook State Forest) and Bureau of Land Manage- ous forest at Stub Stewart State Park (approxi- the remaining forest is now intensively man- and green-winged teal; and buffleheads. Shore- ment (approximately 10,000 acres). Local govern- mately 1,700 acres) and in City of Forest Grove aged. Water retention on the landscape has been birds also are plentiful in the valley’s wetlands, ments, including cities and the Tualatin Hills Park watershed lands (approximately 3,800 acres). reduced while water use exceeds the basin’s sup- where there are healthy populations of American and Recreation District, collectively own a large Washington County manages about 2,500 acres of ply from May into November in an average year. bittern and greater yellowlegs. Several large heron component of park and natural resource lands— U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lands at Henry Hagg The abundance and diversity of fish and wildlife rookeries in the basin host high numbers of great about 10,000 acres. These local government lands Reservoir. Although a majority of Hagg Lake Park populations have been threatened by shrinking blue herons and also the black-crowned night are typically near creeks and floodplains, but is inundated by Scoggins Dam, the surrounding habitat and human impacts on aquatic and terres- heron. Remnant forests and prairie also support their distribution is fragmented and many of the uplands contain a diverse assemblage of forest trial communities. Without action, these trends Neotropical migratory birds. habitat tracts are isolated. types, including oak habitats and prairies that are likely to worsen because Washington County Despite well-chronicled declines, native cold- There are several noteworthy tracts of publicly have several rare species, including the federally is expected to gain nearly one-half million people water fish species such as cutthroat trout and the owned conservation lands across the Tualatin endangered Fender’s blue butterfly and federally 8 over the next few decades. Within the urban ESA-listed threatened winter steelhead are still Basin. Recent acquisitions by the U.S. Fish and threatened Kincaid’s lupine. growth boundary of the Tualatin Basin there are present in the Tualatin River and its tributaries. Wildlife Service have enlarged the Tualatin River There are only a few private land holdings approximately 20,000 acres of impervious cover Although not historically present in the Tualatin, National Wildlife Refuge to about 3,000 acres dedicated to conservation purposes in the Tuala- connected to a separate storm sewer system. coho salmon totaled record numbers in recent of mainstem floodplain, wetlands, and related tin Basin, but several significant urban wetlands Twelve urban streams in the basin are listed by surveys, and the basin’s abundance of slow-water uplands. are owned and managed by The Wetlands Con- DEQ as water-quality impaired for biological cri- habitat appears to provide ample opportunity for Metro has added more than 3,500 acres of servancy; these include Cedar Mill Wetlands and teria. Temperature, toxics, nutrients, bacteria, and a population stronghold in the future. Western natural areas since 1995, representing a variety of Hedges Creek. A variety of easements and man- impaired flow regime are all contributing factors brook lamprey and Pacific lamprey are also habitat types across the basin. The Metro natural agement agreements exist for riparian, floodplain, to this biological impairment. present in the Tualatin River and tributaries, areas have some large landscapes, such as 1,200 and water resource protection throughout both Because of its varied geography and size, the but very little is known about their distribution acres of mixed forest on Chehalem Ridge, as well urban and rural portions of the basin. Homeown- Tualatin Basin has a wide diversity of natural or population status. Several large populations as some unique sites with rare habitats, such as ers’ associations own more than 2,500 acres of the peat bogs of Killin Wetlands. Clean Water dedicated open spaces in the urban area but often 8 http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/OEA/Pages/demographic.aspx Services and the cities of Hillsboro and Forest lack funds for management. Grove cooperatively manage more than 1,500 306 307 regional conservation strategy biodiversity guide Appendix I Watersheds

Current Major Initiatives Organizations and Partners Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District From Clean Water Services: n Stream enhancement Tualatin River Watershed Council Bruce Barbarasch n Clean Water Services Healthy Streams April Olbrich 503-629-6305 X 2950 Plan (2005) n Clean Water Services Surface Water 503-846-4810 [email protected] http://www.cleanwaterservices.org/Content/ Management Program [email protected] Clean Water Services Documents/Healthy%20Streams%20Plan/ Healthy%20Streams%20Plan.pdf n Culvert retrofits/fish barriers — Washington Tualatin Riverkeepers Rich Hunter County Land Use & Transportation Monica Smiley 503-681-3638 http://www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/Divi 503-218-2580 [email protected] From the Oregon Department of Forestry: sions/Operations/Programs/culvert-replace [email protected] City of Hillsboro n Oregon Department of Forestry Northwest ment.cfm Forest Management Plan http://www.oregon.gov/ Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Laura Trunk ODF/STATE_FORESTS/nwfmp.shtml n Tualatin River Watershed Council Lacey Townsend (503) 351-2433 http://www.trwc.org/basin_projects/ 503-648-3174 ext. 102 [email protected] [email protected] n Riparian reforestation Assessments of aquatic biota available at Clean Water Watershed Plans, Assessments, and Reports — West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation Services website (http://www.cleanwaterservices.org/ n Tualatin Subbasin Clean Water Services Temperature District OurWatershed/MapsAndData/): Management Plan Kammy Kern-Korot From Tualatin River Watershed Council (http://www. n Distribution of Fish and Crayfish and http://www.cleanwaterservices.org/AboutUs/ 503-238.4775, x108 trwc.org/tualatin_info.html): Measurement of Available Habitat (1999-2001) Departments/WatershedManagement/ [email protected] n Watershed Action Plan and Technical n n Community Tree-for-All Assessment of Macroinvertebrate Enhanced Conservation Reserve Enhancement Supplement Program (eCREP) — Tualatin & West Mult- Christian Haaning Communities (USA by ABR, 2000) nomah Soil and Water Conservation Districts 503-681-3633 n Watershed Analyses, J.T. Hawksworth, n Assessment of Macroinvertebrate Communi- [email protected] Washington County SWCD n Community Tree-for-All Stream Planting ties in Relation to Land Use, Physical Habitat and Friends of Trees Challenge (2 million native plants in 20 years) n Upper Tualatin - Scoggins, 2000 Water Quality (Clean Water Services by ABR, Logan Lauvray http://www.cleanwaterservices.org/Residents/ 2002) 503-282-8846 ext. 15 n JoinTheCycle/InYourCommunity/TreeforAll/ Dairy - McKay, 1999 [email protected] n Assessment of Fish and Macroinvertebrate default.aspx n Middle Tualatin - Rock Creek, 2001 Communities of the Tualatin River Basin SOLV n Invasive plant control: targeted early detec- (Clean Water Services by ABR, 2005-06) Steve Kennett n Lower Tualatin, 2001 tion/rapid response for garlic mustard, knotweed, 503-844-9571 x 318 giant hogweed and yellow flag iris [email protected] n Gales Creek Watershed Assessment, 1998

n Raindrops to Refuge Cooperative Weed Management Area n Lower Gales Creek Habitat Enhancement Lisa Jo Frech http://4countycwma.org/ Plan, 2004 503-625-6260 n Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Com- [email protected] n Geomorphic Assessment, 2005 prehensive Conservation Plan The Wetlands Conservancy http://www.fws.gov/tualatinriver/refugeplanning. n The Water Project, and interactive guide to the Esther Lev htm Tualatin River Watershed, produced by Pacific 503-691-1394 University, Oregon http://www.trwc.org/water/ n [email protected] Metro Natural Areas Science and Stewardship index.html Program — Restoration of native ecosystems Jackson Bottom Education Center http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/ Ed Becker by.web/id=37086 503-681-6424 [email protected]

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