The Lower Columbia River Watershed area encompasses 298 square miles along the Columbia River in Columbia and Clatsop County, Oregon. It is comprised of the Plympton Creek Frontal Columbia River, Clatskanie River, and Beaver Creek Frontal Columbia River subbasins. All of our watersheds are influenced in part by the greater Columbia River Estuary ecosystem.
Clatskanie Floodplain | Conyers Confluence | Tide Creek Planting | Lamprey Passage | Kloppman | LA Swamp | Batwater Station | Conyers Floodplain
Efforts continue to bolster wetland habitat function through increased plant diversity for large scale floodplain reconnection project.
Project elements for floodplain reconnection and improved habitat complexity.
The battle for native plant diversity continues…
Recently the Watershed Council was awarded a proposal to assess barriers to Pacific Lamprey migration needs for the broader Lower Columbia Region.. Here a summary of the project approach and goals.
Below is a summary of the barriers identified within the Lamprey’s historical distribution, these will continue to be prioritized for potential ecological lift and ground-truthed with local sponsors.
Restored side channel has created new opportunities for not only endangered salmon, but important lamprey species. This is a juvenile lamprey caught by ODFW on site. They have very specific habitat requirements include particular substrate structure and temperature needs. LCRWC will continue to collaborate on monitoring important for cold water species and will track temperature and water levels as the site evolves from restoration actions.
Planting continues to improve wetland plant diversity and function in partnership with Tide Creek Aggregate LLC.
Surveys continue to scope existing condition and restoration potential of unique confluence area with Clatskanie Floodplain in collaboration with City of Clatskanie and area landowners.
Monitoring continues to track vegetation changes and relevance to informing future estuary habitat project development.
Site condition before project.
Louisiana Swamp condition (new channels and vegetation condition)
Estuary habitat continues to evolve from restoration along shoreline of broader Columbia River Estuary.
Planting continues on Conyers Creek with help from Lower Columbia Engineering and landowners. Project elements also include removal of drainage tile to re-establish historical hydrologic patterns and wetland condition.