| Oregon Plan Stories |
 |
|
 |
| Grand Ronde Basin |
|
Ladd Creek/Tule Lake Restoration Project
Restored wetlands at Ladd Marsh (photo by Ducks Unlimited)
The City of La Grande owns 480 acres adjacent to Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. The City acquired the property with the intention of working with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and other partners to restore wetland and associated upland habitats on the property. The City also had the goal of stopping its discharge of treated wastewater into the Grande Ronde River, where it was contributing to water temperature problems during summer and early fall months. The City instead wanted to deliver wastewater from their updated and expanded wastewater treatment plan to the property for use in managing wetland habitat. Ducks Unlimited submitted a grant application to OWEB seeking funding to assist in the wetland restoration.
The project partners restored approximately 500 acres of wetland habitat during construction that concluded in May 2004. The restoration included 31 water control structures, approximately 15 miles of constructed wetland swales, over nine miles of constructed levees, and nine excavated ponds. A water delivery system was also constructed to allow tertiary treated wastewater from the City to be used to manage the wetland habitats on the site.
When the construction was completed in early 2004, water was delivered immediately to most of the wetland habitats from the City’s treated wastewater system. As a result, many areas of the property developed nice native wetland plant communities in the first few months after completion of construction. Management activities since completion of the earthwork have consisted of managing water and water control structures to control water depths in the various wetland areas.
The Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is regularly used as an “outdoor classroom” by local school groups. This property, with a tour route and hiking trail that is open to the public, will be the primarily location on Ladd Marsh for such uses in the future. The project is meeting its goals. The City directs all treated wastewater to the area and manages and maintains wetland habitat. The project provides wetland habitat for wildlife and thousands of migratory birds, including waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and other species used the site. Finally, the project provides recreational opportunities for the public as the site is open for bird watching, wildlife photography, hiking, and hunting.
Teeter Streambank Stabilization
 |
 |
|
|
Installing the CSC textile, toe rock, and rootwads (photos by Union County Soil and Water Conservation District) |
The Teeter Streambank Stabilization project was located on the Grande Ronde River at a site directly downstream from the Alicel Lane Bridge. Before the project, severe erosion was occurring along the incised river bank in this reach. In addition, the site was contributing significant amounts of sediment into the Grande Ronde watershed system, which impacted water quality.
The stabilization project was implemented in September and October of 2005 along 700 linear feet of streambank. First, the entire bank was sloped back and rock was placed at the base of the slope (toe rock). Six rootwads with trees attached were placed, and 25 boulders were positioned around the rootwads to hold them in place. Finally, a material known as CSC was chosen to be laid above the toe rock. CSC is an expandable honeycomb textile that spreads out to make a web that covers the entire bank. After placing the CSC, soil was laid over the top, and the area was seeded and planted with willows.
Along with OWEB, other funding partners included the Bureau of Reclamation, Union Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the landowner.
The project aim was to benefit Snake River steelhead and Chinook salmon. Using a geotextile like CSC is an unconventional approach to streambank stabilization, but in this case it is working well. Despite the especially high water in the spring of 2006, there was no erosion. This result is unusual for a streambank project that has not had a chance to heal from the disturbance of installation. Now that the project has been implemented, the watershed will benefit from decreased sediment, erosion, and nutrient loading into the Grande Ronde; meanwhile, the newly-planted willows will help to buffer temperatures.
Wallowa River/McDaniel Habitat Restoration
Photos by the Grande Ronde Model Watershed.
|
 |
 |
Pre-project
July 27, 2004
|
After channel excavation
August 20, 2004
|
 |
 |
With revetments and sedge mats
November 2, 2004
|
After flow transferred and plantings
July 25, 2005
|
This project aimed to restore degraded riparian and floodplain habitats, improve habitat diversity, and improve water quality for Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead and spring Chinook salmon near Lostine in Wallowa County. Before the project, this 0.34-mile reach of the Wallowa River was reduced to a steep, narrow channel at the base of a slope along the eastern edge of the natural floodplain. In various attempts to control the river since the early 1900s, the river channel was relocated to the base of the hill and locked it into place with artificial dikes. The resulting channel lacked fish habitat conditions.
Partners in the project included the landowner, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife , Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Wallowa Resources, OWEB, Bonneville Power Administration, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Grande Ronde Model Watershed, and various foundations and volunteers.
The first step was to reconstruct one half mile of stream to simulate the historical stream channel. In July of 2005, partners began excavation to re-establish historic channel characteristics. Hopkins Forestry excavated, separated, and stockpiled the topsoil and 29,000 cubic yards of gravel and dirt material over the half mile reconstructed channel. Eight rock grade-control structures were constructed in the new reach to prevent channel downcutting until vegetation could provide channel stability. Floodplain ponds were constructed for off-stream fish habitat. Six log and rootwad revetments were placed in the new stream reach to stabilize meander bends. Most of the channel reconstruction work was completed by fall of 2005.
During fall and winter of 2005, local contractors, high school students, and ODFW staff began a revegetation project that involved transplanting more than 7,000 sedge plugs, 5,000 willow cuttings, and several hundred trees (5-10 years old), and distributing over 100 pounds of riparian seed mix.
This project was awarded the Oregon Land Board 2005 Stream Project Award. Soon after implementation, success became evident. Adult Chinook and steelhead used the newly-created channel habitat for spawning the very first year water was transferred into the new stream channel. The streamside floodplain is benefiting from natural vegetation recovery. Instream fish habitat has benefited as well because of the restoration of complex pool habitat. These improvements will restore historical spawning and rearing habitat, increase the water storage capacity of adjacent meadows, and improve water quality. In addition to steelhead and Chinook, many other species of wildlife, such as neotropical birds and big game, will benefit as well.
Additional Information
The 2005-2007 Biennial Report provides more information about accomplishments in each watershed basin.
Return to watershed basin map
|
|
| |
|
|
