Share the Vision:

A healthy, vibrant watershed filled with native fish, wildlife and plants.

A community dedicated to the current and future health of the watershed.

A watershed where people can enjoy nature.

57420-2 Old Portland Road

Warren, Oregon 97053

Phone: 503-397-7904

Fax: 503-397-9101

 *Working toward healthy communities and creeks from headwaters to the bay*

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Salmon Habitat Assessment

The Scappoose Bay watershed populations of fall Chinook, winter steelhead, and coho salmon have been identified as important sub-populations in the recovery of the Lower Columbia River salmon. The salmon in the watershed hang on a narrow thread of functional population status. A drop in numbers could compromise the genetic integrity of the larger system. Habitat loss and change has been identified as a major contributing factor to salmon decline so it is necessary for us to really understand water quality and habitat concerns in the watershed in order to make effective decisions for protecting our existing populations.

The Council worked with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and a qualified contractor to conduct aquatic habitat inventories and a rapid bio assessment (RBA) of approximately 50 stream miles in Milton Creek, as well as North and South Scappoose Creeks.

Aquatic Habitat inventories are a way to assess the quality and type of habitat present in a stream system. Aquatic habitat inventories interpret a large amount of data pertaining to the stream characteristics. The data collected includes (but not limited to); type of channel substrate, classification of reaches into types of pool, riffle, glide, cascade, and beaver dam s. There is also a large amount of collateral data collected; percent shade, composition of riparian area etc. This type of information is very useful for restoration projects.

The (RBA) or Rapid Bio-Assessment protocol is a scientific method to gather data on fish distribution and potential barriers to fish on a watershed scale. The surveys continue upstream to the end of fish distribution. As the surveyor moves upstream the contractor snorkels every 5th pool and describes the number and species of salmonid present, as well as any potential barriers along the route. The RBA protocol then takes this sample of the watershed and uses that to estimate adult salmonid use of the watershed and how much potential the watershed has of supporting more juvenile salmonid. This set of surveys (RBA), and (Aquatic Habitat Inventory) provides information on current use of the stream by salmonid, habitat conditions, and identify limiting factors to spawning and rearing in the watershed. The final report provides details on each of the creeks that were surveyed.

Rapid Bio-Assessment