Environmental Services and Portland Parks & Recreation finished construction on a stream restoration project on three acres of forested land in Dickinson Park in the Fanno Creek watershed. The city purchased the land in 2012 to preserve it as a natural area and trails are not part of the current plan for the property. 

Construction Update

Construction on a joint Environmental Services and Portland Parks & Recreation project at Dickinson Park is now complete. 

In mid-August, contractors removed a pipe, pump house, footbridge, and other structures to restore 68 feet of stream and create wetland and floodplain habitat next to the stream channel. BES will work to plant native shrubs and trees later this fall. Please stay out of the project area until the plants are established.

Project Goals

There are 650 feet of open stream channel and the headwaters of two tributaries to South Ash Creek on the work site. Small, intact headwater streams naturally help control flooding, recharge groundwater, trap sediments and pollution, recycle nutrients, and provide habitat. Summer flows from the streams sustain fish and wildlife downstream.

The project included:

• Removed a pipe and restore about 68 feet of stream to provide natural function and stabilize streambanks
• Created wetland and floodplain benches next to the stream channel
• Removed a pump house, footbridge, pipes and other structures to restore natural stream processes and function
• Connected the stream to the floodplain and protect the stream channel
• Planted native shrubs and trees to keep the stream cool and provide wildlife habitat

Environmental Services Watershed Revegetation Program worked at the site in February 2015, planting 3,000 tree and shrub seedlings. Better stream function and floodplain interaction will improve aquatic habitat, protect the streambed and banks from erosion, and improve water quality.

For More Information

Contact Lisa Moscinski, 503-823-3663