Richardson Creek Restoration

With 2,000 feet of rebuilt channel and 1,000 logs installed, native fish will find all sorts of new, high quality habitat to utilize year round.

The regional government in the Portland area purchased a large piece of land that included both a farm and a forest along the Clackamas River, one of the largest in the Portland area. The forested portion of contains Richardson Creek, which already had salmonid activity and resident beavers creating complex wetland habitats. The creek had been modified and degraded by humans in places but was in good shape overall. In sharp contrast, the farm portion of the property contained a highly degraded stream channel. This degraded channel was a breeding ground for invasive species and presented an opportunity to restore and enhance the salmonid habitat on this property.

Biohabitats created an entirely new channel on the farm property and installed around 1,000 pieces of wood across the whole site. Additionally, an undersized culvert was replaced, an old farm pond was filled, and berms were removed to reconnect the floodplain.

Working around an active beaver family presented a challenge. They were flooding areas that needed to be dry to work in, and the beavers continued to build dams throughout the project. It is hoped that the beavers will stay in the area and continue to create complex habitats for salmonids in the creek.

With 2,000 feet of rebuilt channel and 1,000 logs installed, native fish have find all sorts of new, high-quality habitats to utilize year-round. The resident beavers should enjoy the new habitat as well with plenty of new building materials and food planted around the creek.

TAGS

• Construction
• Ecological Restoration