The Columbia Slough Watershed Council will highlight the Lower Slough Refugia project at the 2017 Slough Celebration Gala next week. The event takes place on Friday, February 10, 2017 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Melody Ballroom.

In 2015, Environmental Services placed 35 engineered log jams in the Lower Columbia Slough. The slough’s water supports endangered steelhead, coho and Chinook salmon and provides refuge from the strong currents and predators in both the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. This is critical for young fish who need resting and feeding places along the route to the Pacific. Tangled log jams that provide refugia in today’s rivers and slough are few and far between because of past dredging, armoring, and development. By using water-based construction methods, this project improved habitat without impacting existing natural resources or the slough levee.

In addition, Environmental Services produced a short video tour of the project after completion:

For tickets and more information about the 2017 Slough Celebration Gala, visit www.columbiaslough.org or call 503-281-1132.