Ecola Cr Forest Reserve

The City of Cannon Beach acquired 120 acres of forest and riparian land in the Ecola Creek Watershed as part of an initiative by the city, the Ecola Creek Watershed Council, and their partners to protect significant habitat on local creeks. The property includes of a mile of the West and North Forks of Ecola Creek, which serve as passage, spawning and rearing habitats for steelhead, searun cutthroat, coho, and chum salmon, and Pacific Lamprey. The property contains coastal forest with 100 year-old spruce, alder, and hemlock with complex riparian habitats, and is adjacent to 94 acres currently owned by the city.

The area under consideration includes approximately .75 of a mile of the west and north fork Ecola Creek waterway. The area serves passage, spawning and rearing for steelhead, chum salmon, and Coho salmon. Ecola Creek has been listed as critical habitat for Coho salmon and is being managed for native fish. The Coho runs were estimated in 1997 to be in the 100 to 200 population range. The information on the status of the chum populations is limited, but it appears to be very low. Steelhead populations in the 1997 survey were estimated to be 150-300 adults.

The main focus of this acquisition is to maintain and improve the ecological integrity of the forest ecosystem and, within that context, protect this regions aquatic and riparian habitat.