Columbia Slough Confluence Habitat Enhancement Project
Columbia Slough Confluence Restoration
The Lower Columbia Slough in Portland provides important off-channel habitat for juvenile salmon and native fish from both the Willamette and Columbia basins. Juvenile salmon traveling to the ocean use the quiet water of the estuary to rest and eat.
The 12-acre confluence project is located at Portland's Kelley Point Park, a 100 acre natural area and developed park, and land across the slough from the park. The project site is at the tidal junction of the Columbia Slough and the Willamette River.
The project benefits Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, as well as Pacific and brook lamprey. The restoration work will also benefit native wildlife species such as neo-tropical migratory songbirds and Western painted turtles.
Project Elements
Anchored trees and rootwads placed in-stream and along the slough banks enhance in-stream and riparian habitat.
- Revegetation increases shade, controls invasive species, and increases native emergent scrub shrub and riparian wetland plant communities.
- Nest boxes, bat boxes, and native plantings add wildlife habitat.
- Basking logs and downed wood improve turtle habitat.
- Project partners, students and trained citizens help monitor wildlife, fish, plants and the large wood placed by the project.
Construction began in fall 2009 and was completed in early 2010. Monitoring will continue for five years.
Partners
Columbia Slough Watershed Council
Friends of Smith and Bybee Lakes
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Port of Portland
Portland Parks & Recreation
Project Funders
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
Portland Parks & Recreation
Bonneville Power Administration
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
NOAA