Catching Slough Project Development

This project proposes to develop preliminary engineering designs in identified focal areas of the Catching Slough and surrounding area, by developing restoration designs that will lead to restored watershed function and improve water quality through fish passage, access to off-channel habitat, riparian planting/fencing, and cattle exclusion fencing. Each of our proposed focal areas are DEQ 303(d) (bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and temperature) listed streams that drain into Catching Slough and eventually into the Coos Estuary. Situated along narrow agricultural valleys these streams have been heavily impacted by past land management practices, resulting in stream channelization, outdated/undersized infrastructure, removal of riparian trees/shrubs, which have negatively impacted water quality and aquatic species for decades.

PCSRF FFY 2021 funds, OWEB state funds and Other sources of funds and in-kind contributions will be used to complete the project. No funds are reported as match to PCSRF funds.

This project will evaluate current conditions and develop engineering plans for focal areas within the Catching Slough sub-basin and its surrounding area. These focal areas encompass more than 8 miles of critical stream habitat in Catching Slough and will allow us to address the prime limiting factors for coho smolt production in this sub-basin. In addition to addressing the stream adjacent components of this project, we plan to evaluate stream crossings that have smaller (<48) culverts with outdated and failing tidegate structures attached.