Project Area
The majority of the project is located on three city-owned properties adjacent to SE Deardorff Road, between Blackberry Circle and SE Flavel Street.
What's Happening Now
In the coming weeks, crews will be excavating and grading the area for restoration, and beginning habitat work.
Rest of this Week
Crews will work on the following activities from Monday through Saturday during daytime hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.:
- Exposing and removing the Works Progress Administration (WPA) wall along Johnson Creek and Deardorff Creek.
- Hauling off non-hazardous contaminated soil and WPA wall materials to stockpile for future re-use.
- Excavating and grading the creek area in preparation to install large woody debris and gravel to improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
- Constructing the streambank.
Week of August 8
Crews will work on the following activities from Monday through Saturday during daytime hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.:
- Hauling off non-hazardous contaminated soil and WPA wall materials to stockpile for future re-use.
- Excavating and grading the creek area in preparation to install large woody debris and gravel to improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
- Constructing the streambank.
What to Expect During Construction
We want you to be safe around the work site. Please keep children, pets, bikes, cars, and trucks away from the tools, machines, supplies, and construction workers. A city inspector will be on-site during work hours and may be able to assist you with construction concerns. Inspectors typically wear a hard hat and safety vest with “City of Portland” on the back. Learn more about what to expect during construction.
Project Background
This stream and floodplain restoration effort will build upon past vegetation restoration and include partial removal of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) walls that were built to straighten and restrain Johnson Creek. The project will add habitat features such as logs to help slow down the speed of Johnson Creek. This will not only reduce downstream flooding and erosion problems, but also provide hiding places for fish and other wildlife. Native plantings along the banks will help shade the creek and keep it cooler in the summer and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
The project will:
Remove WPA wall and restore the creek’s connection with its floodplain.
Restore stream features and complexity to provide habitat for endangered salmon and other wildlife.
Protect and enhance wetlands.
Protect mature trees whenever possible and plant native trees and shrubs to increase the stream-side canopy.
Current efforts to restore Johnson Creek focus on returning it to a more natural state. This type of restoration provides a safe place for flood waters to spread out and soak into the ground. It also helps improve water quality and increases fish and wildlife habitat. Johnson Creek provides important habitat for coho and Chinook salmon, as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout. While these species still exist in Johnson Creek and its tributaries, their long-term survival depends on our ability to restore habitat and improve water quality.
Sign Up for Updates
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Photos from the Restoration Project
Fantastic Fish Finds
In late July 2022, Environmental Services Biologists coordinated with contractors to capture and safely relocate fish from the project area. We found baby Coho salmon, cutthroat trout, pacific lamprey, and more! Visit our Facebook page to see more photos.
