LOST CREEK RIPARIAN REVEGETATION PROJECT

Status:

in progress

Location:

8 private properties in Lost Creek, 1 private property on Middle Fork Willamette River

Partnerships:

Upper Willamette SWCD, MFWWC

Funding agencies:

OWEB, BEF/MMT, and DEQ

Project Overview

Several landowners in Lost Creek sub-watershed who previously received treatments to remove Japanese knotweed are replanting streambanks with native trees, shrubs and herbs 2009-2010. The initial phase of the project was conducted from 2004-2007 and resulted in the successful removal of 20 acres of knotweed along Lost Creek. However, Japanese knotweed has begun to return and other non-native species such as reed canary grass and non-native blackberries have started to move in. To keep invasive plants out, the sites are being replanted with native vegetation.

Project Accomplishments To Date:

• November through December 2009, blackberries were cut and grubbed at 5 project sites totaling approximately 3.4 acres. All of the project sites had a combination of landowner and contract labor treatment.
• Planting was completed in March 2010 on approximately 5.1 acres on all 8 project sites. Native trees, shrubs and herbs were selected based on suitability to riparian and floodplain project sites. Sites with an extensive overstory were planted with shrubs and herbs. Open areas were planted primarily with trees. Willow and red-osier were planted on streambanks, in high erosion areas and in low elevation locations. The site with an off-channel pond was planted with aquatic herbs and sedges in small patches to encourage growth of native aquatic plants and shrubs for shade. All plant materials were native and local.
• We planted 364 trees, 3475 shrubs, and 140 herbs/sedges/rushes on 5.1 acres. Tree species planted include: big leaf maple, red alder, Oregon ash, black cottonwood, and cedar. Shrubs and small trees planted include: Pacific ninebark, snowberry, osoberry, serviceberry, elderberry, red-osier dogwood, willow, rose, Oregon grape, gooseberry, mock orange, and Douglas spirea.  Understory and aquatic plants include: camas, iris, avens, sedge, rush, monkeyflower and sword fern. Three crews completed the planting work on 8 project sites within 3 weeks.
• At sites where bank erosion was likely, geojute was installed.
• Two irrigation methods are being employed on the projects sites – traditional irrigation systems for 6 of the project sites and DriWater gel packs for 2 of the project sites. A gel pack system was chosen for the two largest project sites where access to water would be difficult and to set up a traditional irrigation system would be expensive and challenging. DriWater was the chosen brand of gel pack because it is organic and non-toxic to animals.

Objectives:

• increase native species habitat
• improve riparian habitat conditions
• stabilize streambanks

Activities:

• Invasive species removal & site preparation – Fall 2009-Spring 2010
• Erosion control – Winter-Spring 2010
• Plant native trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses – Spring 2010
• Japanese knotweed removal – late-Summer 2010

Reports, Articles, and Informational Links:

• Article in September 2009 newsletter
• Information about Japanese knotweed