Elk Creek Phase VI

Funds awarded for the Elk Creek Cooperative Salmon Habitat Recovery Project were intended to go towards the design and replacement a bridge spanning Elk Creek near Tiller, OR (PCSRF 2013, 2014, and 2017). Once the designs were complete they were sent out to contractors to bid on the project. We received no bids during the open competition period, but did have interest from one firm. That firm did submit a bid for consideration after the open competition period and it came in at roughly $1 million over budget. We had discussions with the contractor that bid on the project and we were able to cut some expenses with the help of the land owners but the proposal was still $500,000 over budget. After exploring other funding options and finding none, we determined that this project cannot move forward at this time with the funding we have.

The benefits of this project will include the removal of a copper and lead painted degrading bridge. The copper can impact salmonid growth potential by reducing survival and lifetime reproductive success and cause behavioral and sensory disruptions. There will be an increase in side channel and floodplain connectivity which is a known limiting factor for juvenile Coho salmon and a increase in the floodplain area by 0.04 acres. The removal of invasive species in the riparian area and planting of hardwood and conifers should provide for long-term wood recruitment into the stream channel and provide stream shading.