Clackamas River Community Cooperative Revegetation Project

This restoration project is located in Clackamas, Oregon on the property of the Clackamas River Community Cooperative, which includes the confluence of Sieben Creek and the mainstem Clackamas River. This project returned the property to its baseline conditions by eradicating invasive species and re-establishing plant communities native to mixed riparian forest. This project largely eradicated noxious weeds and invasive species from the project area and established a healthy, diverse riparian understory. Matching support came from Clackamas Water Environment Services and the Clackamas River Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP).

The proposed restoration project would eradicate invasive species which negatively impact fish habitat by promoting erosion, not allowing native species to establish, leading to a lack of woody material in a river which is essential for salmon and steelhead. Invasive species also limit food sources for fish as healthy riparian buffers provide insects and other materials as a food source. Invasive species often prohibit native plant communities from establishing which prevents the establishment of a canopy which can help provide shade to the aquatic habitat.
The proposed project would establish native plant communities that will help protect the stream banks from erosion by providing a protective barrier from the flow, especially during high flow events. Riparian plantings will also help slow floodwater velocities limiting erosion. As the riparian plantings mature, they will provide fine and eventually coarse woody debris to the river which is currently limited. The riparian plantings will also provide fish food and cover habitat. Leaves and insects from the native cover will provide food for aquatic species and organic material for the river. With a diverse planting plan of trees and shrubs, there will be improved horizontal and vertical structure of the forest which as it matures will provide increased shade helping limit thermal impacts. Lastly, the installed bare-root native trees, shrubs, and cuttings will help protect the river from excess pollutants and nutrient runoff such as nitrogen and phosphorus by establishing deep-rooted buffers.