Lower Columbia River Habitat Enhancement 2023-2025

The Lower Columbia Enhancement Project will take place along riparian corridors and floodplains of the lower Columbia River and some of its tributary streams in Multnomah and Columbia counties. Riparian habitat enhancement is needed at these sites to support native fish and wildlife as populations have greatly declined in quantity and quality over the past century as a result land clearing for agriculture and development. The lower Columbia River has lost more than 114,000 acres of habitat (over 50%) since 1880. Riparian buffers and adjacent floodplains have lost tree canopy; removing shade, warming streams, and depriving streams of large wood. Stormwater runoff flows into streams harming water quality and native species. The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (Estuary Partnership) will actively work with partners to enhance riparian habitats in the lower Columbia River Watershed. The Estuary Partnership will lead riparian planting and invasive removal.

The Lower Columbia Project will enhance riparian habitats on the lower Columbia River. Over time, native trees and shrubs will help to cool stream temperatures, provide large wood debris to streams, increase floodplain connectivity, increase food web production, increase habitat complexity, and provide a host of other ecological features that will improve the health of these vital ecosystems. Improving riparian habitats is a key salmon and steelhead restoration strategy in Oregon and throughout the Columbia Basin. Healthy riparian habitats are a critical element of almost all salmon recovery efforts.