Tuesday July 16, 2024
Multnomah County —
Beaver Creek is a small urban stream. It flows from unincorporated Multnomah County, through the City of Troutdale, and joins the lower Sandy River. Despite its small size, the stream is very important to the local river ecology. A study by Mt. Hood Community College students, “Lower” Lower Beaver Creek found that Beaver Creek is a key breeding habitat for migrating fish. The fish, including endangered Chinook and coho salmon and lamprey, travel between the ocean and local rivers and streams. An average of 3%, and up to 9%, of coho produced in the major Sandy River tributaries are born in Beaver Creek. This is remarkable, given how much urban infrastructure has hurt stream health.
“This stream is surprisingly important when it comes to supporting endangered fish populations,” said Roy Iwai, Water Quality Program Manager for Multnomah County.
Beaver Creek in 2023For over a decade, Iwai has worked with Multnomah County Roads and local partners to support the ecological restoration of Beaver Creek. Over that time, Iwai has led the effort to remove three major barriers to fish passage: Stark Street, Cochran Road, and Troutdale Road crossings. The barriers were a result of poorly designed culverts, outdated infrastructure, and the changing urban landscape.