Sandy-Salmon Floodplain Reconnection

Project Description

The confluence of the Sandy and Salmon Rivers presented the Sandy River Watershed Council (SRWC) with one of the largest and most potentially productive restoration opportunities in the Sandy basin. Extending nearly a mile and encompassing over 400 acres, the confluence floodplain had largely been separated from the rivers by levees built after a 1964 flood.

Working with collaborators Wolf Water Resources, Biohabitats helped the SRWC implement the restoration by partially removing the levee and installation of large wood structures that mimic natural log jams in the stream channel. The project reconnected the Sandy River with 50 acres of floodplain and opened historic side-channels, which disperse river energy across the floodplain and provide migratory and rearing habitat for native salmon.

As prime contractor, Biohabitats Construction removed floodplain levees, excavated and processed over 30,000 cubic yards of boulders, cobble, and sand in a power screen, and installed of over 3,000 logs and rootwads as engineered habitat and road protection log jams. The Biohabitats Construction team also performed site dewatering and coordinated implementation of the work with project partners, including the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Land Management. This included hosting site visits from elected federal, state, and local delegates.