GOOSENECK CREEK

The Polk SWCD recently partnered with the BLM and completed a substantial large woody debris placement project on Gooseneck Creek, a known habitat for Coho and Winter Steelhead. This project saw the placement of several large wood structures and saw roughly 100ft of severely eroded cutbank regraded and stabilized, and two log bank barbs installed in the new slope to divert flow in the opposite direction. We aim to replicate what would otherwise be a natural process by creating “log jams” in river systems devoid of riparian area trees for natural recruitment benefiting fish habitat and water quality. These structures that we create serve several purposes. First and foremost, they act to slow water down, which allows for gravels and sediments to fall out of suspension and accumulate materials needed for the creation of spawning beds and habitat.
These structures work to develop stream channel complexity and strengthen floodplain connectivity. They also help direct and deflect water to pre-existing side channels and natural floodplains, helping it to return to a more “natural” state. This increased connectively also boosts access to refugial habitats for fish and can help mitigate flooding risk. 

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Richards Creek Native Vegetation

The Richards Creek Native Vegetation project continues to be highly successful. The site is still actively being maintained by the landowner who is targeting any and all invasives, but primarily teasel, which continues to be the main problem across the site. Regardless of the teasel that remains, despite manual and chemical control methods, plantings were ultimately successful, and natural recruitment of riparian species continues to grow. The landowner plans to continue to maintain as they are able, but will be opportunistic at best. There are no established monitoring methods, but the landowner continues to monitor of T&E species, as well as iconic species such as Camas. Aside from the continuing infestation of teasel, there have been no major challenges associated with this project. There has been no publicity or educational outreach associated with this project in the intervening two years.

Rockhouse Creek Large Woody Debris Enhancement

The Rockhouse Creek LWD Enhancement project continues to be a major success. The structures placed in 2018 are actively working to reconnect floodplain, increase channel complexity and diversity, provide refugia in the form of pools and cover, and to collect fines that serve as spawning habitat for transplanted Coho, native Cutthroat, etc. No temperature monitoring protocols were established at the beginning of the project, however, with the successes seen with other intended outcomes, it is likely that summer stream temperatures have been positively impacted as well. There have been no challenges associated with this project so far, and there has actually been major successes in terms of infill of coarse wood from both upstream and as a result of the 21' ice storm. This infill has resulted in further structure complexity and effectiveness. Excavator access areas were successfully decommissioned, and have re-grown and re-established native vegetation with vigor. There has been no educational or outreach activities associated with this project to date, but the SWCD aims to do so in the future.

​Jont Creek Barrier Removal and Off Channel Habitat Improvement

​The Jont Creek Project has been a target for restoration and barrier removal by the NRCS, landowner, USFWS, and Polk SWCD for several years. Jont Creek, and the Luckiamute River, only 0.75 river miles away, have been known to host ESU (Evolutionarily Significant Unit) Steelhead, Chinook, Oregon Chub, Pacific Lamprey, and Coastal Cutthroat. The culvert at this location created a barrier for velocity and prevented fish passage during most of the yearly cycle. The riparian areas and off channel habitat serve not only these fish species but song birds, wading birds, and red legged frogs. The farmland had limited access outside of this crossing so removing the culverts without a solution for access is non-viable.
 
The Polk SWCD worked with the landowner, USFWS, contractors, engineers, county and state permitting agencies to remove the culverts and replace them with a pre-cast concrete culvert bridge.  The SWCD and USFWS have been monitoring the first fall and winter flows now that water can pass unimpeded through this crossing and the SWCD is planning further restoration work along the riparian area once regular flow characterizes are established.  In addition to the barrier removal, USFWS was able to create additional open water pond habitat adjacent to this crossing which will act as off channel habitat for aquatic species, particularly as habitat for juvenile fish as Jont creek's water levels drop to near zero in the late portions of the dry season.

Laurel Creek

The Upper Rickreall Creek subwatershed is the primary source area for the City of Dallas domestic drinking water supply. Historic removal of large woody debris in this system accelerated sediment transport, leading to significant loss of spawning habitat system-wide and storage capacity in the city reservoir. This grant is the final part of a multi-phase effort identified and implemented by Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, Hancock Forest Management, Rickreall Watershed Council, the Bureau of Land Management, and the City of Dallas. Funding was secured from OWEB to install 65 pieces of large wood in three structures using an excavator. Large wood structures installed in earlier phases in 2013 and 2016 have seen rapid and abundant accumulations of sand and gravels where stream flows were obstructed and bed roughness was increased. Similar bedload recruitment and protection are expected in this project area, which should help reduce future reservoir dredging requirements. Wood structures will provide juvenile salmonids with cover from predators and shelter from winter freshets, while sorting sediments for improved spawning habitat. 

Baskett Slough Ludwigia Control and Monitoring

​In the fall of 2016, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge (BSNWR) staff detected the invasive water primrose, Ludwigia hexapetala, which represents a significant threat to habitat quality on over 600 acres of federally protected and managed wetland. Between 2016 and 2017, primrose doubled in the two wetlands it occupies. A 2017 collaborative effort between USFWS, Polk SWCD and ODA yielded a complete survey on refuge and herbicide treatment of all known primrose patches. Using OSWB funds, Polk SWCD and USFWS continued treatment, initiated in 2017, on 20 acres of Ludwigia hexapetala (LUHE) and 15 acres of Lythrum salicaria (LYSA), and monitored for the same on 597 acres of BSNWR. In order to raise awareness of the presence of LUHE within Polk County, PSWCD sent letters to landowners in the Baskett Slough basin and vicinity, and performed EDRR surveys for primrose on respondents properties upstream from, and adjacent to, BSNWR, as well as performed extent surveys for primrose downstream, in Baskett Slough proper, on properties where permission to do so was granted. To date, no LUHE has been found on those properties surveyed.