Watershed Facts
Columbia Slough Watershed Facts
The Columbia Slough watershed contains:
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32,700 acres
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Largest urban wetland in the USA (Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area )
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Salmon refugia in the Lower Slough
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175 bird species
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26 fish species
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6 lakes, 3 ponds, 50 miles of waterway
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30 miles of flood control levees
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158,000 residents (1/20 of Oregon's population)
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54 schools, 2 universities, 1 community college
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Critical wildlife corridors
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Portland International Airport
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Port of Portland marine terminals
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3,900 businesses
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57,000 jobs
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54% impervious surface
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Columbia South Shore Well Field (drinking water)
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One of Portland's "industrial sanctuaries"
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Critical transportation corridors (I-5, I-205, I-84)
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250,000 railroad cars per year use its railroad tracks
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The Slough is 303(d) water quality listed
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6 Golf Courses
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40 Mile Loop Trail
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Canoe and kayak launches
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426 acres without sewers
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Whitaker Ponds Environmental Learning Center
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Lewis and Clark expedition sites
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Historic Native American settlement sites