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Watershed council partnerships deliver critical stormwater improvements
There are over 1,300 species listed as either endangered or threatened in the United States under the Endangered Species Act. In Clackamas County, coho salmon and steelhead trout are listed as endangered or threatened species.
Four upcoming projects will allow these fish to better access the cold, clean waters needed to spawn and allow their young to develop. By improving fish habitat in this way, the hope is for the depleted species to start thriving again and potentially increase in population over time to be removed from the endangered species list in the future. These improvements will also benefit other state-sensitive species not on the endangered list.
Another outcome of this work will be flood prevention. By replacing undersized culverts with larger ones or with small bridge structures, we will increase the amount of water that can flow through the stormwater system, particularly during heavy rains. This will reduce water overflowing from creeks onto the road, ultimately creating safer roads.
Funding for three of these projects is largely provided by grant funds acquired by our partners. The county will contribute supplemental funding and assistance with design, permitting, right of way and other functions to support the efforts.
Here’s a snapshot of the grant-funded projects:
1. Rugg Road at Badger Creek
Badger Creek flows through two undersized and deteriorated culverts under Rugg Road, which contributes to flooding near Rugg Road in the Boring area. The culverts will be replaced with one larger culvert. This culvert will allow fish and wildlife to travel freely all year. Coho salmon and winter steelhead are known to be present in this waterway, as well as state-sensitive cutthroat and lamprey species. Construction is planned for 2025.
Johnson Creek Watershed Council received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the county will provide the remaining funding. The council will manage the project and the county will manage design, permitting and right of way acquisitions.
2. Grimm Road at Woodcock Creek
Woodcock Creek flows under the Grimm Road bridge in the Molalla area, which does not provide fish-friendly passage. In addition, during a routine bridge inspection, erosion was discovered under the roadway. The bridge will be replaced with a ready-to-install concrete bridge along with habitat enhancements including large wood, boulders, and native plantings. This bridge will allow fish and wildlife to travel freely all year. Chinook, coho, and steelhead are likely to be present in this waterway as well as state-sensitive cutthroat and lamprey species. Construction is planned for 2024.
Clackamas County and Molalla River Watch (MRW) jointly received a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. The county will manage aspects of design, permitting, right of way acquisitions and construction, and MRW will assist with grant administration, post-project reporting, and will install plantings after construction is complete.
3. Aschoff Road at Conway Creek
Conway Creek flows under Aschoff Road through two undersized and deteriorating culverts in the Rhododendron area. The culverts, which are prone to flooding and causing the creek to back up, will be replaced with a ready-to-install concrete bridge which will allow fish and wildlife to travel freely all year. Coho and winter steelhead are known to be present in this waterway as well as state-sensitive cutthroat and lamprey species. Construction is planned for 2025.
Clackamas County received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The county will manage design, permitting, right of way acquisitions and construction.
4. Arlie Mitchell Road at Henry Creek
The culvert carrying Henry Creek under Arlie Mitchell Road in the Rhododendron area does not easily allow fish to pass upstream. The culvert will be replaced with a ready-to-install concrete bridge to restore access to 2.7 miles of upstream habitat. Salmon and steelhead are known to be present in this waterway as well as state-sensitive cutthroat and lamprey species Construction is planned for 2024.
Clackamas County collaborated with several groups including the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Portland, the U.S. Forest Service and the Freshwater Trust. The trust will manage the project and the county will provide survey, right of way acquisitions, plan review and construction inspection services.