Lower Carmen Reach Bypass Habitat

An ecological restoration project improves fish habitat in one of Oregon’s most stunning rivers.

Surrounded by an ancient forest of old growth, the upper reach of Oregon’s McKenzie River emerges from below a layer of volcanic rock and forms the clear, cold Blue Pool before flowing through the Willamette National Forest. This part of the river provides the highest and coldest habitat in the area for fish species like the threatened Chinook salmon and bull trout. To ensure that this section would continue to serve as a cold-water refuge with ample fish habitat, Biohabitats helped the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) construct a complex habitat restoration project along a portion of the Upper McKenzie River.

As contractors on a team led by Wildish Building Company with Inter-Fluve, Blue Ridge Timber, and Columbia Helicopters, Biohabitats constructed major habitat improvements along a two-mile reach of the river, which included supplementing the gravel that some fish species use to build their spawning nests. With very little gravel in this area due to relatively recent lava flows, spawning gravel was imported to the project site from a quarry in Eugene, OR, within a short timeframe to accommodate the scheduled helicopter transport dates. Biohabitats managed the helicopter placement of 2,000 tons of spawning gravel, direct placement of 500 tons of spawning gravel, 30 bundles of bushy treetops, and the mechanical tipping of 10 large trees with rootwads directly into the river. Whole trees were pulled down from the forest by a cable yarder directly onto the helicopter-placed materials in the riparian area. This will help to retain gravel in place and mimic naturally occurring downed trees where fish can hide from predators.

During construction, Biohabitats also provided and managed staff to maintain the temporary closure of the heavily trafficked McKenzie River Trail, a popular destination for mountain bikers and hikers that runs adjacent to the project site. During the peak summer months, the trail sees hundreds of visitors every day and it was important to close the trail to keep the public safe during construction operations.

TAGS

• Construction
• Ecological Restoration