Reclamation Department Grant: Tualatin River Basin Fisheries Enhancement Activities

In 1973 Reclamation agreed to mitigate for anticipated losses of anadromous fish associated with the development of the Tualatin River Project.  This mitigation was originally accomplished through a Memorandum of Agreement between Reclamation and the Oregon Department of fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in which Reclamation provided funds for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a fish hatchery.  In 1998 ODFW decided to stop releasing hatchery-reared anadromous fish in the Tualatin River Sub-basin due to potential impacts on wild fish.  As a result, Reclamation determined that the annual mitigation funds for its original purpose, stocking hatchery fish, was no longer appropriate and through an Environmental Assessment recommended using the annual mitigation funds to fund habitat restoration projects.

In 2002 the Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC) was selected by a multi-agency committee to formulate a habitat restoration plan in the Lower Gales Creek Sub-basin.  Reclamation contracted with the TRWC from 2005 to 2012 to begin implementing restoration actions in Lower Gales Creek.  By 2012, the TRWC completed a critical habitat Restoration Action Plan [Action Plan] for the entire Gales Creek Sub-basin that identified critical habitat areas.  The Action Plan would initiate and continue activities such as: data collection; outreach and education to landowners and the public; promote and implement in-stream and riparian habitat restoration projects; maintenance and monitoring for past and future projects. 

The Gales Creek sub-watershed was identified by TRWC as a critical habitat for winter steelhead trout and will have several of the projects completed by December 2018.  This include the Gales Creek/Clear Creek confluence project and West Fork Beaver Creek fish passage barrier culvert replacements and large wood placements.  In accordance with the Action Plan, TRWC will need to continue the data collection that will provide the statistics needed to develop future enhancement projects.  This will allow TRWC to meet with landowners to identify, design, and implement future restoration projects.