Restoration of Former Independence Mill Pond to Aid Winter Salmon, Steelhead

The removal of a dam and stream restoration will open miles of new habitat

The removal of an old dam on the Luckiamute should help local fish habitats Photo Courtesy: www.orww.org

(INDEPENDENCE) - The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board has agreed to fund a portion of a project that includes removing an old mill pond in Independence.

The $20,625 grant will fund part of a two-year project coordinated by the Luckiamute Watershed Council in cooperation with numerous local and state agencies.

Removal of the pond's dam will open access for juvenile steelhead and Chinook salmon to several miles of the South Fork Ash Creek for the first time in 50 years.

The $20,625 grant will fund part of a two-year project coordinated by the Luckiamute Watershed Council in cooperation with numerous local and state agencies.

The dam at the former Mt. Fir mill began breaking apart in the winter of 2004-05, the Luckiamute Watershed Council saw an opportunity to open up miles of winter refuge habitat that was blocked by the dam.

The project will remove the dam and place 50 boulder structures in the new stream to create small pools that can be used for shelter by the young salmon and steelhead.

The newly exposed riparian habitat will be planted with native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.

Additional funding for the project comes from the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Small Grant program, and the Ash Creek Water Control District.

The City of Independence, ODFW, Natural Resources Conservation Service � Plant Materials Center, and Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation and Development, Central High School, Western Oregon University, and the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District helped develop the project.

Work on the $56,000 project will begin this summer.

The Luckiamute Watershed Council meets the second Thursday of each month in Monmouth's Volunteer Hall at 7:00 PM and always welcomes volunteers and new members.

For more information, visit luckiamute.watershedcouncils.net, email LWC@wou.edu, or call LWC at (503) 838-8804.