Who we are.
The Scappoose Bay Watershed Council was formed in 1997. We are a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-regulatory organization whose diverse group of dedicated volunteers share a common concern for our quality of life, our natural resources, and our community.
We employ a small staff, assisted by qualified contractors, volunteers with professional expertise, and natural resource agencies. The Council is a source of information about the watershed for residents, visitors, local groups and partners.
Scappoose Bay Watershed Council
Board Meetings
The Council Board meets on the second Tuesday evening of the month from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. See our event calendar for meeting details. Usual topics include updates on current projects and the nursery, plus regular business requirements. View past meeting minutes and access the agenda and reports for the upcoming meeting. The public is welcome at all meetings.
Board Members
Andy Maggi
PRESIDENT
Andy joined the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council as our Coordinator in October 2021 and transitioned to Board member in October 2022. He has over 15 years of experience leading political,...Read More >
Howard Blumenthal
VICE PRESIDENT
Howard is a native Oregonian with 45 years of outdoor experience, including hiking, backpacking and kayaking. He has done many paddling trips on Sauvie Island and throughout Scappoose...Read More >
Barbara White
TREASURER
Born but not raised in Scappoose, Barbara has a family history in the area that dates back to the 1800s, primarily of loggers and farmers. In 2000, she returned...Read More >
Maddy Sheehan
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
Madelynne (Maddy) Sheehan was a founding member of the SBW Council. She has served as president, vice-president, and treasurer. A professional book publisher and author of Fishing...Read More >
Nicole Ferreira
SECRETARY
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Nicole brings her experience in horticulture, design, and mapping to the board. She enjoys hiking, camping, and kayaking when she isn’t drafting...Read More >
Greg Pettit
Lonnie Welter
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
Lonny graduated from Rainier High School in 1976, and from Oregon State in 1981 with a BS in Geography. He served in the US Army as a...Read More >Our Staff
Rachell Meyers
Watershed Council Coordinator
Rachell graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Washington State University Vancouver. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest has given her a passion for wetland...
Taylor Theel
Project Manager
Taylor is actively pursuing her Associates in science, as well as becoming licensed in pesticides. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she has a love for the...
Rachell Meyers
Watershed Council Coordinator
Rachell graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Washington State University Vancouver. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest has given her a passion for wetland...Taylor Theel
Project Manager
Taylor is actively pursuing her Associates in science, as well as becoming licensed in pesticides. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she has a love for the...Work with Us.
Jobs
Find out about job opportunities.
Project Bids
See if there are available projects out for bid.
Be a Volunteer
We are always looking for people to help.
What We Protect
Scappoose Bay is part of the widest flood plain reach of the upper Columbia River estuary. This area is composed of multiple islands, sloughs, tide channels, wetlands and seasonal ponds, as well as terraces and rocky outcroppings. Milton, and North and South Scappoose Creeks are major tributaries to Scappoose Bay, which flows into Multnomah Channel just upstream of its confluence with the mainstem of the Columbia River. The construction of levees, roads and drainage ditches, along with floodplain filling, has disconnected many of the side channels from the river.
Native Species
The watershed is home to Oregon ash and black cottonwood forests, along with wetlands composed of wapato and bulrush.
Anandromous Salmon
A majority of the Columbia Basin’s anadromous salmon populations pass through this area during their migration to and from the Pacific Ocean. Coho, Chinook, steelhead, and cutthroat trout can be found in Multnomah Channel and the Bay’s major tributaries. Although there has been a significant decline in their numbers from historic populations, recent and ongoing efforts are improving access to restored habitats.
Migratory Birds
As one of the most important stopovers of the Pacific Flyway, the area also supports numerous populations of waterfowl, migrating shorebirds, and neotropical songbirds, as well as raptors.
Amphibians/Reptiles
The waterway channels and riparian areas also provide habitat for a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including red-legged frogs and northwestern salamanders.
Hyrdology
This reach of the Columbia is tidally influenced, but is also significantly backwatered by the Columbia River freshets in the spring and early summer.
Sub-Watersheds
Milton, and North and South Scappoose Creeks are the major subwatersheds draining into Scappoose Bay. McNulty Creek and Honeyman Creek are smaller drainages that also contribute to Scappoose Bay, and Jackson Creek flows through the Scappoose Bay Bottomlands into the Multnomah Channel above the Bay.
The upper watersheds are dominated by high gradient, confined, and small streams, and are generally forested. The mainstem reaches of the major streams generally flow through low-gradient valleys and are unconfined, with the exception of stretches of larger tributaries confined within ravines, usually in the upper reaches. Much of the adjoining acres of these streams are in agriculture use and have lost much of the important riparian vegetation. The lower portions of the subwatersheds are classified as lowland floodplain and were historically heavily influenced by annual flooding along the Columbia River.
WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO
Preserve the land for the future.
Find more details about the Scappoose Bay Watershed and our plans designed to improve the health of the watershed through specific, prioritized restoration actions.
Watershed Assessments:
- 2018 Strategic Action Plan
- Sauvie Island and Multnomah Channel Bottomlands Conservation
- 2014 State of the Watershed
- 2000 SB Watershed Assessment
- Water Quality and Salmon Monitoring in the SBW
Resource Studies:
- Limiting Factor Analysis
- Bio Assessments
- South Scappoose Creek Restoration Plan
- Scappoose Bay Bottomlands Conservation and Restoration Plan
- Fish Passage Barriers
Partner Resource Studies:
- Coming soon
Educate. Restore. Preserve. Join our community.
Our Partners
