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