The Greater Oregon City Watershed Council and Metro partner to complete another phase in the North Newell Creek Restoration Process. Beginning July 13, helicopters will be transporting logs into the middle reaches of Newell Creek to restore structure that is vital to healthy stream habitat. With the help of a Vertol helicopter, large wood will be placed into the stream to help create logjams. Tom Gaskill, Executive Director of the Greater Oregon City Watershed Council shared, “Restoration of habitat by placing large wood in creeks helps to slow the flow, cool the water, and filter sediment to provide healthy spawning areas for native fish.”
Around 200 logs will be placed by helicopter and excavator, restoring 5800 linear feet of stream in Abernethy and Newell Creek. This will be followed by native plantings in the winter. “Newell Creek is a special place with some of the best remaining salmon habitat in the Portland Metro area,” said Doug Neeley, chair of the Greater Oregon City Watershed Council. “The Council acquired a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to fund this work which will make a big difference in the overall health of the creek. We are grateful to Metro for managing this project and for their ongoing commitment to Newell Creek Canyon.” Partnerships like this are vital to the continuation of restoration projects in Clackamas County.
The work is happening at North Newell Creek Canyon Natural Area, which runs on the east side of Highway 213 from south Morton Road up to Redland Road. There is no safe place for public viewing but you can follow Greater Oregon City Watershed Council on Facebook for video and photo updates.
