BUCK CREEK BULL TROUT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT

Status:

complete

Location:

Buck Creek

Partnerships:

USFS, ODFW, MFWWC

Funding agencies:

USFS, OWEB, ODFW, Trout Unlimited, USACE

Project Overview

Headwater streams in the upper MFWW support the nationally-recognized successful reintroduction program for threatened bull trout. A 25-foot wide concrete box culvert on Buck Creek eliminated some of the highest quality habitat available in the watershed. We worked with USFS to plan, coordinate, write and submit grant proposals to secure funds for the removal of this passage barrier. By fall of 2008, we opened 3.5 miles of essential habitat for bull trout. Culvert bull trout in the Middle Fork of the Willamette was replaced with a bridge and the stream bed established to flow naturally and unobstructed. Successful completion of this project strengthened our partnership with USFS, who manages 70% of land in the basin, and provided work to local contractors. In the upcoming year, we will continue efforts to restore habitat in the upper watershed. Together with partners, we identified two of the highest priority projects in support of bull trout, developed plans to restore the most suitable habitat in the watershed for this species, wrote and submitted two grant proposals to secure funding for projects.

Objectives:

• provide accessibility to quality habitat for bull-trout and other native species

Activities:

• culvert removal – complete in 2008

• bridge placement – complete in 2008

• planting and bank stabilization – complete in 2009

Reports, Articles, and Informational Links:

• Article in November 2009 newsletter
• Article in March 2009 newsletter