Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report 2010 · 2011 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Page 4. Battle Creek Watershed . The Battle Creek Watershed

Introduction

Program History

In February of 1996, an unusually large amount of precipitation accompanied by an early snow melt caused many of the rivers and creeks in the Willamette Basin to rise drastically. Salem was no exception, both urban and rural areas were hit hard with 100-year flood levels. Damage was extensive across the entire city. City businesses, infrastructure, and residents were all impacted by the flooding. Most residents were affected by a loss of potable water, damage to personal property, or by damage to roads and bridges. As part of an effort to reduce the future potential for flooding, the City of Salem developed an annual stream cleaning program.

The Stream Cleaning Program started in 1998 and focused primarily on increasing stormwater conveyance and minimizing the risk of flooding in local watersheds. In the early years, a crew of laborers removed incredible amounts of debris from sections of creek that had never been cleaned. Once the creeks had gone through this initial “deep clean” the program began to evolve. As creek cleaning became routine, the Program began to incorporate restoration efforts that would enhance creek habitat.

In 2003, the City began hiring college students with a background in environmental science and natural resources. This shift allowed students to incorporate classroom knowledge into real life challenges, enabling crew members to make educated decisions in the field that would enhance stream habitat while also increasing stormwater conveyance. Over time, the Program has continued to implement improvements that will help preserve and enhance the functionality of our local watersheds.

2010 Highlights Since 1998 the Stream Cleaning Program has endeavored to clean and restore Salem’s creeks. While the Program has experienced many changes, the primary goal remains to identify and resolve a variety of conveyance issues. On a daily basis the crew removes invasive species, debris jams, and thousands of pounds of trash. The 2010 Program featured 9 college interns. The crew’s work is directed by the Environmental Aide who is assisted by two Crew Leaders. Thanks to the returning leadership of the Environmental Aide and both Crew Leaders, the Program was able to get a smooth start and remain highly productive all season. The crew started June 21st and worked through September 17th, 2010. During this time the crew covered 51 miles of creeks, removing 13,050 lbs of trash and 13 yds³ of natural debris, while also recycling 3,800 lbs of material.

2011 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Page 1

2010 Stream Crew

Left to Right: Andrew Harris, Chase Dearman, Nora Kaufmann*, Alfredo Zuniga, Andrew Wentworth, Luke Westphal*, Elysia Layne, and Ben Murphy. * Crew Leader

Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide


Creeks Cleaned

2010 Watersheds and Creeks

Map 1: 2010 Watersheds and Creeks

The 2010 Stream Crew started June 21st and ended September 17th. In that time the crew cleaned just over 47 miles of creek within the City of Salem. Map 1 displays the sections of creeks the crew was able to clean as well as the watersheds found within Salem. This year the crew worked in the Battle Creek, Croisan Creek, Glenn/Gibson, Little Pudding, Mill Creek, Pringle Creek, Upper Claggett Willamette Slough East and the West Bank River Watersheds. The crew is always amazed at the amount of miles they are able to cover, and the amount of work they accomplish by the end of the season. By looking at the crew’s progress this year we can evaluate trends in the program.

Goals and Accomplishments The Stream Cleaning Program has an annual goal to clean approximately 50 miles of creeks within Salem. This year the crew met that goal by cleaning 47 miles. In the past,


both Mill Creek and Shelton Ditch have been “re-cleaned” which added extra miles for past seasons. The crew wanted to focus on their role in the watershed as a whole this year. The primary objective for the crew was to ensure conveyance by cleaning Salem’s creeks. There were a couple of changes that had a large impact on the way the crew operated on a daily basis. The first change was the management of vegetation and woody debris. Small creeks found around Salem are prone to dense invasive vegetation. In the past crew members have cut the invasive vegetation back to the bank to ensure both conveyance and navigation. After considering the role this vegetation plays the crew decided to alter their routine. Himalayan Blackberry, a well established invasive, is the primary source of vegetation in many areas. If this blackberry is killed or removed without replacement, a variety of ecological services are compromised. This vegetation provides shade, cover, and stability along many of Salem’s Waterways. It is apparent that the City doesn’t have enough resources to completely remove and replace blackberry. In turn the crew set a few guidelines to protect the functions it provides. Blackberry was only cut and removed if it was growing in front of a culvert, hindering conveyance, or limiting navigation for the crew. Large creeks throughout the City are affected greatly by the role of woody debris. In a natural setting, woody debris is essential for a healthy stream. Woody debris creates aquatic pools, regulates sediment loads, and redistributes nutrients. However, in an urban environment large woody debris(LWD) can hinder conveyance creating a flood hazard. Typically the crew has gone in and removed any type of “debris jam”. After evaluating the role LWD plays in our watersheds, the crew set a few guidelines when removing debris jams. First, the crew only removed the jam if it had the potential to hinder conveyance, potentially causing a flood hazard. Second, if the crew had to remove a jam, they would preferably utilize a “clean and open” method which removes all smaller material while leaving beneficial larger material. Lastly if the crew did have to remove the entire jam they would try to leave the debris in the “uplands” as habitat. The change in how the crew managed both invasive vegetation and LWD led to the second lowest natural debris totals since 1998. Another point of interest for the crew was recycling. Following the implementation of recycling efforts last year, the 2010 Stream Crew wanted to go farther. The crew toured the Marion County Transfer Station, the Covanta “Waste to Energy” plant, and the Garten Services recycling plant to gain a better understanding of our waste stream in Salem. These tours allowed the crew to gain a passion toward sustainably managing the debris they found in the creeks. The crew found less trash this season than any season prior, yet they still managed to recycle 3,800 lbs of trash. That means the crew recycled nearly 23% of the un-natural debris they removed from the creeks. Change is a key component for the crew. While the crew’s focus remains to alleviate the threat of flood hazards, they are always willing to progress and apply new techniques that allow them to protect and enhance the function of our watershed while ensuring conveyance.


Battle Creek Watershed

The Battle Creek Watershed is located in South Salem and includes Battle Creek, Scotch Creek, Powell Creek, and Waln Creek. Large sections of Battle, Powell, and Scotch Creek run through private property (Golf Courses) or are outside of City limits. Due to these complications, historically the crew has only been able to clean small sections of these creeks. Waln Creek, which lies entirely within city limits, is the longest creek the crew cleans in this watershed, covering just over 2.6 miles. As a whole, this watershed is prone to trash, invasive plants and animals, as well as unlicensed water pumps. The creeks have been confined as development continues to expand in South Salem, creating an adverse environment in which native species have been displaced and invasive species have begun establishing themselves. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:

420 lbs 100 lbs 0 yrds3 5.48 miles

Andy finds one of many golf balls! The crew finds a tire in a tight

stretch along Waln Creek.


Upper Claggett Watershed The Upper Claggett Watershed is located in Northeast Salem and is home to Claggett Creek. In total there are 2.67 miles of Claggett Creek within City limits. This creek has earned a rough reputation over the years due to frequent dump sites and dense transient activity. In the past, mattresses, full rolls of carpet, showers, tires, oil sheens, car batteries, and more have been found in the creek. The creek is also home to the Claggett Natural Area, a thriving mitigation wetlands site that is maintained by the City’s Wetlands staff. These wetlands are an essential part of this watershed providing natural filtration and flood mitigation for the creek. The Claggett Natural Area is critical to the restoration of this oft-abused watershed. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:

2,100 lbs 600 lbs 1 yrds3 2.82 miles

Alfredo found some garbage… Ben pulls a shopping cart.

A root mass that was left for habitat.

Elysia and Nora work hard removing a chair.


Croison Creek Watershed The Croisan Creek Watershed is located in Southwest Salem and includes Croisan Creek and Golf Creek. Croisan Creek is the main focus, stretching from outside City Limits past Sprague Park and on into Minto Brown Park where the creek ends at the East Willamette Slough. Invasive vegetation, uneven city/county boundaries, and beaver dams are all common in this watershed. Golf Creek, a tributary, merges with Croisan Creek within Minto Brown Park and flows on into the East Willamette Slough. This particular watershed is a great example of the balance between natural and urban impacts on a watershed. As you follow the creek you notice quick shifts between large natural sections and dense residential areas. These native stretches provide natural filtration, sediment and erosion control, as well as vital habitat for aquatic species. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:


Luke reaching for it! Canary grass is a common

challenge for the crew


Glenn-Gibson Watershed The Glenn Gibson Watershed is located in West Salem and includes Glenn Creek, Gibson Creek, Wilark Brook, Archer Brook and Goldcrest Brook. Wasps, poison oak, and large debris jams are a common encounter in this watershed. Most stretches are well stabilized with thriving vegetation. However, as West Salem continues to grow the creeks are forced to adapt. Residential development has encroached on native beaver habitat which plays a key role in our local ecosystem. While dams built by beavers provide vital creek habitat they also created a flood hazard. The crew has learned to handle each case carefully. If the dam has the potential to cause flooding in a residential area it is usually removed. In contrast, if the dam does not threaten to cause flood damage it will be left in place to enhance and maintain habitat. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:


Sometimes waders get full too! Dense vegetation can make

navigation difficult

The crew found an oil sheen… …and an illicit discharge


Little Pudding Watershed The East and West Forks of Little Pudding River are found between Lancaster Ave and Cordon Road in Northeast Salem. These creeks flow through a combination of rural farm land and residential neighborhoods. The creeks are primarily lined with residential fencing keeping them confined. Summer conditions create a combination of dry creek bed and muddy pools of water. The poor riparian condition of the watershed encourages severe exposure to sunlight. In turn reed canary grass is the most common species found. As a result, invasive animal species such as nutria are frequently found. All of these conditions increase flash flows during winter months and the potential for erosion. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:

1,480 lbs 260 lbs 0 yrds3 4.19 miles

Mattress anyone? Chase utilizes a shopping cart to

transport some trash.


Mill Creek Watershed Mill Creek, Mill Race and Shelton Ditch are all found within the Mill Creek Watershed. Mill Creek is the longest creek within the city limits meandering through town until it makes its way to the Willamette River. Shelton Ditch is diverted from Mill Creek just east of Airport Road at Weir Dam, which is used to regulate water levels in both Shelton Ditch and Mill Creek. Shelton Ditch then continues on through the city, following Mission Street before it turns and heads towards Pringle Park where it converges with Pringle Creek. Mill Race diverges from Mill Creek just west of 21st St. This site in particular is controlled by a fish screen and weir. The weir is used to control flow in both Mill Creek and Mill Race. The fish screen on Mill Race works to discourage fish passage. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:

3,000 lbs 1,260 lbs 5 yrds3 7.86 miles

Mill claims another pair of waders! The crew is always cautious

Andy wrangles a picnic table! Garbage!


Pringle Creek Watershed Located between the Mill Creek Watershed to the north and the Battle Creek Watershed to the south, the Pringle Creek watershed is one of more extensive drainage basins within the City of Salem. It includes the East, West, and West-Middle forks of Pringle Creek as well as Clark Creek. With just over 18 miles of creek within city limits, this watershed is a top contender for highest annual natural and un-natural debris totals. The crew spends a majority of their summer in this watershed every year and faces a variety of challenges. Crew Activities: Trash: Recycling: Green Waste: Distance:

4,750 lbs 1,260 lbs 5 yrds3 15.71 miles

Ben and Alfredo tackle blackberry! The crew finds everything!

Navigation can be tricky… Chase displaying his chainsaw

skills


Program Totals

Trash (lbs)

Creek 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 13 Year Totals

Battle/Waln 4,000 300 2,000 1,340 1,850 13,220 1,275 720 1,700 2,060 1,380 4,120 420 34,385

Claggett 0 54,137 16,120 15,640 3,220 5,800 6,830 1,880 6,300 7,735 5,260 6,020 2,100 131,042

Clark 3,000 1,450 1,360 1,440 1,420 6,180 1,360 760 1,300 1,644 480 760 610 21,764

Croisan 0 400 2,440 2,260 2,520 3,920 270 340 0 920 340 740 380 14,530

Gibson 0 0 0 3,060 520 3,440 220 160 540 573 180 40 200 8,933

Glenn 0 2,100 1,560 5,720 1,740 4,720 780 500 1,500 1,918 820 1,440 720 23,518

Little Pudding 0 2,700 2,000 620 380 710 0 0 0 2,260 1,940 1,650 1,480 13,740

Mill 34,000 17,360 15,920 7,920 9,120 6,180 8,000 5,780 9,290 4,240 6,570 2,660 127,040

Pringle 8,000 12,150 10,740 10,780 4,480 15,520 8,425 5,580 6,255 9,659 5,980 5,540 4,140 107,249

Shelton 0 6,870 4,000 15,740 4,400 8,960 5,520 5,540 5,120 7,576 6,520 2,680 340 73,266

Turnage Brook 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 60 120 0 280

Other Creeks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 49,000 97,467 40,220 72,520 28,450 71,590 30,860 23,480 28,495 43,735 27,200 29,680 13,050 555,747

Natural Debris (yrds³)


Battle/Waln 10 10 0 0 0 40 44 23 30 23 14 32 0 226

Claggett 0 25 9 6 0 13 16 12 2 1 0 0 1 85

Clark 10 10 0 0 0 15 13 13 27 19 18 13 3 141

Croisan 0 5 0 0 0 0 10 8 0 8 4 8 0 43

Gibson 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 12 2 2 21 19 1 67

Glenn 0 15 18 0 0 0 20 27 17 21 14 12 1 145

Little Pudding 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12

Mill 60 25 0 20 5 0 12 0 4 12 0 3 5 146

Pringle 40 30 6 16 0 35 87 53 69 59 58 41 2 496

Shelton 0 10 0 0 0 8 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 23

Turnage Brook 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 13 0 17

Other Projects 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 85 33 0 0 0 118

TOTAL 120 140 33 42 5 111 217 148 236 180 131 141 13 1,517

Recycling (lbs)


Battle/Waln 380 100 480

Claggett 920 600 1,520

Clark 380 240 620

Croisan 40 60 100

Gibson 0 100 100

Glenn 280 120 400

Little Pudding 310 260 570

Mill 1,590 1,000 2,590

Pringle 980 1,020 2,000

Shelton 540 260 800

Turnage Brook 20 40 60

Other Projects 0 0 0

TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,440 3,800 9,240


Trash


Recycling


Natural Debris


Wetlands Assistance The last two seasons, in addition to cleaning the creeks, the crew has participated in a variety of new projects. This year, the Stormwater Department’s Wetlands staff presented a variety of new educational opportunities for the Stream Crew. Salem’s Wetlands staff is tasked with maintaining natural areas around the city. The crew helped with routine maintenance, native seed collection, as well as invasive species tracking and removal. These new opportunities allowed the crew to put some classroom knowledge to good use. The crew spent a few days this summer learning how to collect and clean native plant seed. Specifically, the crew collected a variety of rush seed and blue-eyed grass seed. Not only is native seed collection a great learning experience for the crew but it saves the City money. Wetlands staff rely on native seeds to maintain and enhance natural sites throughout the city and this type of seed is often very expensive. The crew also removed yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife that was causing a conveyance issue along a ditch at the southwest corner of Turner Rd and Mission St. In total the crew removed nearly 35 cubic yards of invasive plants. That’s nearly four large dump trucks full! One of the more memorable projects for the crew was the removal of an invasive plant at Geren Island. On the Island there are a number of small ponds. One of these ponds is home to an endangered native fish called the Oregon Chub. Yellow Flag Iris was encroaching on the pond, compromising the habitat this unique fish relies on for survival. The crew was excited to have personally been able to improve the habitat of an endangered animal. These projects gave the crew a sense of ownership when it came to restoring and enhancing native habitat. It’s not everyday that individuals are able to work so closely in these unique habitats, let alone be directly responsible for enhancing the habitat of an endangered species. The crew assisted with many important projects and walked away from the summer having acquired a wide variety of beneficial knowledge and experience.


Wetlands Assistance

Ditch filled with Iris and Purple Loosestrife. Nora and Luke hard at work removing

invasive plants.

The dump truck is full.

A much cleaner ditch!


Annual Restoration Project

Each year the Annual Stream Cleaning Program incorporates a restoration project into their season. Restoration efforts are a vital component of the Stream Crew. Mitigation and restoration efforts work to enhance creek habitat, while providing natural filtration and storage of water. These efforts pay off by reducing the threat of flooding and encouraging natural processes which provide habitat to a variety of native plant and animal species. Restoration efforts are also a great educational experience for crew members. In addition these projects create lasting relationships in the community that create a sense of ownership when it comes to maintaining and enhancing our creeks. This season the crew chose a site along Waln Creek near Valleywood Drive. Two diseased trees had recently been removed from this site to prevent property damage. These trees were the primary source of shade and stability for the riparian area. To offset the removal of the trees the crew brought in over 130 native plants to re-establish the site. In addition the crew brought in 2 rolls of erosion matting, 50 ft of wattles, and 7 cubic yards of compost and mulch. The crews efforts worked to encourage a dense native plant community that will provide vital habitat, shade and stability to the bank. The entire crew played a vital role in planning and implementing the restoration project. From the evaluation of hydrological conditions to plant selection, each crew member contributed to make the project a success. In addition to the function of the project it also looks great!


Waln Creek Restoration

The north bank after the crew cleared

the invasive vegetation.

Andrew staking.

Luke planting. The project starts coming together.

Chase doing his part. The project looks good!


Invasive Plant Survey The annual Stream Cleaning Program took a closer look at the condition of Salem’s creeks by conducting an invasive weed survey in the Mill and Pringle Creek Watersheds. The data collected is beneficial both internally for the City of Salem and externally for the community and other agencies. Crew members were able to not only collect great data, but to gain valuable knowledge that will help to advance them as resource professionals.

Method Plants of interest include:

o Japanese Knotweed o Purple Loosestrife o Yellow Flag Iris

A mobile GPS/GIS Mapping Unit is the interface for tracking species of interest and their attributes in the field. Data will be collected as points due to ensure efficient data transfer and application. The data is post-processed and loaded into the Stream Crew’s GIS database. The final product for the summer would be an output map analyzing the distribution and density of invasive vegetation along urban creeks. The information will be provided as requested to citizens, consulting firms, and other agencies.

A crew of two individuals conducts a survey of one entire creek. o It is very important to note that the same two individuals conduct the

entire survey for one creek. The idea here is consistency. o These individuals will be given a predetermined list of attributes that they

will acquire using a GPS/GIS mobile mapping unit. o Coordination with Marion County, Marion Soil and Water, and the

Oregon Department of Agriculture will ensure that the data gathered will not only be applicable, but also of high quality, allowing it to be incorporated into professional watershed assessments.

o Each time a crew of two conducts a survey they will be sufficiently trained in the identification of species, attributes, and mapping software/GPS unit.

Data Recorded • Date • Species Name (Knotweed, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Flag Iris) • GPS Location (x,y) • Site Size (1x1, 3x3, 5x5, 10x10, and 15x15) • Density of Infestation (1-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, and 76-100%)


• Type of Site (In-Stream, Bar, Stream Bank) • Substrate (Sand, Soil/mud, Gravel<1”, Gravel>1”) • Comment (in a construction zone, landscape project, etc.) • Photo #

Luke mapping Knotweed

Alfredo found some Yellow Flag Iris Andy utilizes the Trimble unit


Internal Benefits

Stream Banking, Mitigation Sites, and Restoration Efforts-Water Resources is considering a new concept where credit would be awarded for stream enhancement (Stream Banking). Invasive species are usually a good indicator for a variety of other poor habitat quality conditions. Knowing the location and density of noxious weeds might work to encourage efficient practical site selection not only ensuring success but actually promoting the health of our urban watersheds. Watershed Assessment-The City of Salem hired a consultant to assess the Pringle Creek Watershed. If watershed assessment is necessary in the future, in any part of the City, a weed survey could contribute to an internal assessment, or


provide information to consultants that would reduce the cost of a consulted assessment. Design Standards-Low Impact Development sites are susceptible to invasion by noxious weeds. Knowing the location and density of invasives can work to promote successful LID development in the long run. Code-A working knowledge of the impact and distribution of invasive species can contribute to the development additional city codes that would work to limit the impact these species have on our water quality.

External Benefits IMAP-A collaboration is in place to establish a new interface which would

portray data concerning invasive vegetation to the public. This project would be called IMAP and would work to provide key information regarding invasives to everyone, including agencies, presenting information necessary to make management decisions.

MSWCD-Data collected could be given to Marion Soil and Water Conservation District to enhance their invasive plant database. They could also give the data to watershed council’s who could then use it to justify funding for eradication and restoration projects.

IMAP MCSWDPublic

Knowledge

Action Watershed Councils

Marion and Polk County

Stream Crew


Documents

Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report 2010 · 2011 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Page 4. Battle Creek Watershed . The Battle Creek Watershed