Lower Columbia River Habitat Enhancement 2021-2023

From October 2021 to September 2023 the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (Estuary Partnership) focused on enhancing habitat along riparian corridors and floodplains of the lower Columbia River, and near tributary streams to those rivers in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Columbia counties to help support diverse species of native fish and wildlife. Riparian and floodplain habitat in the Lower Columbia has greatly declined in quantity and quality after more than a century of land clearing for agriculture and development. During a 2-year period, the Estuary Partnership collaborated with many partners to plan and lead 35 stewardship events, engage 1,162 community volunteers, plant 9,241 native trees and shrubs, and enhance 22 acres at 4 different sites in the Lower Columbia River Watershed. Project activities included, engaging partners, removing invasive species (mechanical and chemical), preparing planting sites, developing planting plans, planting, mulching, and plant establishment. Proposed metrics that were originally reported for a single proxy site were distributed to the final worksites.

The Lower Columbia Project will enhance riparian habitats on the lower Columbia River, the lower Willamette River and along their tributaries. 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, and provide a host of other ecological features that will improve the health of the 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.

The Lower Columbia Project will also engage landowners and volunteers in hand on restoration activities that included planting and caring for native trees. This project provide a valuable opportunity for local communities to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of riparian areas for salmon and steelhead, how to plant native trees and shrubs, and inspire them to become more active stewards of their local rivers and streams.