Cub Creek Restoration, Phase I

The Cub Creek Phase I restoration was successful in increasing the amount of large wood in Cub Creek, Berry Creek and Hunter Creek. The large wood placement addressed the lack of habitat complexity in Cub, Berry and Hunter creeks by increasing large woody debris (LWD) in accordance with ODFW recommendations. The Phase I work will arrest further incision of Cub Creek from our project site to the confluence of the Clackamas. The original scope of the project described engineered log structures to be placed in lower Cub Creek, however, the project design was amended after realizing there was a larger opportunity for floodplain reconnection. The project still met the original goals of LWD placement, and cut and fill zones were additionally designed to aid in faster side channel reactivation. Riparian planting was not completed as proposed, as further project phase stage 0 restoration activity would nullify this work. This site work will prepare additional spawning and rearing capacity in an area not far from Big Bottom, an important spawning and rearing area in the upper Clackamas that serves listed salmon and steelhead species. Proposed metrics that were originally reported for a single proxy site were distributed to the final worksites.

This project will enhance salmon and steelhead habitat conditions in Cub Creek, the USFS and ODFWs highest priority upper basin tributary within the Clackamas River. LWD and log structures will be installed to increase stream complexity, side-channel formation, and off-channel connections. Benefits to salmon and steelhead include: retention of spawning gravels, increased pool area and complexity, increased shading and predator refuge, sediment and small debris capture leading to nutrient retention, and protection and retention of cooler water.