FANNO CREEK TRAIL AT SCHOLLS FERRY ROAD: SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENTS Fanno Creek is an urban stream that begins in Portland’s Current Beaver Dam Locations - Fanno Creek southwest hills and meanders 15 miles through neighborhoods in Portland, Beaverton, Tigard and Durham, where it meets the Tualatin River. The creek and its tributaries cross private residential, industrial and commercial properties, as well as parklands and natural areas owned by Clean Water Services, Metro, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District and the cities of Beaverton, Tigard and Durham. Since 2004, Tree For All partners have transformed more than eight miles of Fanno Creek streamside and 200 acres of greenways into a healthy resource for people and wildlife. Strategies include streambank stabilization; floodplain reconnection; and enhancement of amenities for recreation and active transportation. On the revegetation front, volunteers, partners and reforestation contractors have installed native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants by the hundreds of thousands, greatly increasing stream shade, stabilizing stream banks, improving air quality and enhancing wildlife habitat. As a result of successful restoration, dynamic Mother Nature has taken over parts of the floodplain that were historically wetlands but had drained and were dry enough on which to build trails. Fanno Creek has been transformed by the benefits beaver and their dams provide for wetland and wildlife habitat as well as water quality. Currently, five dams exist in this stretch of Fanno Creek. (over) FANNO CREEK TRAIL AT SCHOLLS FERRY ROAD: SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENTS An unintended consequence of this valuable restoration and subsequent beaver activity is the high water levels which remain longer on the Fanno Creek Regional Trail, where it crosses under Scholls Ferry Road. In recent years, the trail downstream of the crossing between THPRD’s Greenway Park and Tigard’s Englewood Park remains inundated for longer periods of time than before. To avoid the inundated underpass, some trail users cross the road where there is no signal – a significant safety hazard for a major regional transportation corridor. Southwest Scholls Ferry Road is located on the Tigard/Beaverton City boundaries, the bridge is owned by Washington County, and the Greenway Park immediately upstream is owned and managed by Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District; there are many stakeholders involved in developing a reliable long-term crossing solution for the trail. There is also an active local community that uses the trail for daily movement around their neighborhood. Fanno Creek is rich with food sources for beaver While the multi-jurisdictional team is actively studying the permanent solution of a Stewardship is for the long term signalized at-grade crossing, CWS is planning an improvement for trail users in the The transformation at Fanno Creek short term. This project involves raising the trail elevation under the bridge which will continues to unfold. The US Geological increase the portion of the year that the trail remains dry and passable. This is not an Service has conducted an extensive adequate permanent solution because it will reduce the already sub-standard head beavers-and-hydrology study. In the space from 7’ 10” to approximately 7’ 0” – both below the trail standard of 8’. heart of Tigard, the City of Tigard and Clean Water Services are restoring the Clean Water Services is working with partners and a consultant to design and permit portion of the creek closest to Ash Street. the underpass improvement and will contract the implementation of this interim action Further north, with funding from Metro’s while the stakeholder group moves the permanent solution ahead. Nature in Neighborhoods program, Scholls Ferry Overpass partners--including THPRD, Clean Water Services, Friends of Trees and local residents--have embarked on a “Fanno Floodplain Fix.” Both projects involve remeandering segments of the creek; enhancing habitat through revegetation; and adding or improving amenities for cyclists and pedestrians. And in 2017, 6’ 10” clearance 10” 6’ the Rose Festival Half-Marathon— 7’ 0” clearance traditionally held in Portland—took place instead in Beaverton, including a stretch of the Fanno Creek Trail. Proposed new path By bringing best practices to bear, Tree Existing path For All partners continue to transform Fanno Creek in ways that benefit our economy, community and ecology. Fanno Creek jointreeforall.org 2550 SW Hillsboro Highway Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 503.681.3600 Beaver chewing on piece of wood Inundated trail under SW Scholls Ferry Road cleanwaterservices.org Main Office • 2550 SW Hillsboro Highway • Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 • p: 503.681.3600 • f: 503.681.3603 • cleanwaterservices.org JUNE 2020.