During the summer of 2018, Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, will work together on a large-scale habitat enhancement project that benefits wildlife in the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

The project will improve hydrology and habitat for threatened/endangered wildlife species, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, bats and salmon. Right now, migrating salmon cannot safely access Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on their journey to and from the Pacific Ocean because an existing culvert and water control structure blocks fish access into the refuge.

Visit the project overview page for project details.

Construction Update - Spring 2018

A total of 8,500 native trees and shrubs will be planted after construction is complete. In March, before the bird nesting season, cottonwood and ash trees and other vegetation were cleared in construction areas. Many of the large trees will be re-used on-site as large wood in the channels or as snags to provide habitat for wildlife. 

Completing this work before the primary bird nesting season in mid-April, ensures that birds will build nests out of harm’s way. 

To do the tree removal work, the contractor constructed a ramp from the railroad side of the Springwater Corridor Trail down into the wetland. Now that the work is complete, activities at the site will be relatively quiet until summer. Most of the construction is scheduled during the in-water work window, between July 1 and October 31. 

Project impacts affecting Springwater Corridor Trail

The Springwater Trail at the project site will close between July 1st and October 31, 2018. This is the "in water" work window available for construction. 

The trail will be OPEN to the wildlife refuge but CLOSED as a through route - crews are cutting through the trail and land underneath it during construction and will replace the trail and adjacent railroad tracks upon completion.

BES worked with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to identify two main recommended alternate routes during the closure of the corridor. 

• The Willamette Greenway Trail on the west side of the Willamette River
• The new SE 19th Avenue Greenway connecting to the 17th Avenue Bike Lane on the east side of the river

Signage and maps will be distributed to show options so that bicyclists and pedestrians can make informed decisions about alternate routes during the closure.

Pedestrian, bicycle, and auto access to the Oaks Amusement Park and the Oregon Yacht Club floating home community will be maintained throughout the project.

Stay Informed

For more information, click the link above to be added to the project email list or get in touch with Ronda Fast at 503-823-4921 or Ronda.Fast@PortlandOregon.Gov.

Image credit:  Mike Houck