Project Objectives:

Two limiting factors are to be addressed with this project:
1) Passage, three culverts that presently inhibit passage will be replaced with bridges that have natural substrate stream bottoms and the capability of passing high flows without substantially increasing velocities and/or erosion. This enhancement will allow access to 2.6 miles of habitat for steelhead and resident red-band trout
2) Sediment-the road  adjacent to Shaw Creek has the potential to contribute heavy sediment loads to the stream. Installing rolling rock dips that will reduce erosion and direct runoff through filter strips will reduce the sediment input. "Lifting" the road by adding the necessary amounts of rock to the surface will also reduce sediment inputs.

This project addresses the following elements of the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan, May 28, 2004 and the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan Supplement (Management Plan), December 31, 2004:

Problem 4:  Excessive amounts of fine sediment in various portions of the subbasin are negatively affecting incubation success, juvenile survival, invertebrate production, and habitat availability.
Objective 4A:  Facilitate monitoring and evaluation of sedimentation trends and provide information relative to its effect on salmonid production.

Objective 4B:  In known problem areas, reduce sedimentation impacts to aquatic focal species.

Problem 7:  Population connectivity is reduced as a result of structural barriers within specific watersheds.  This reduction has resulted in a loss of genetic interchange, population carrying capacity, and habitat availability.

Objective 7A:  Identify and prioritize for modification, structural barriers that limit connectivity.

Table 3-2.  The Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment model identified five highest priority Geographic Areas for restoration and key factors limiting survival for each Grande Ronde Subbasin Steelhead Population.  

Mid Catherine Creek rated number 4
Key Factors: Habitat Diversity, Key Habitat Quantity, Sediment, Temperature

Introduction

This project will improve fish passage and reduce sediment input on 2.6 miles of Shaw Creek, a tributary of Ladd Creek by improving the road surface replacing three culverts that presently inhibit passage with bridges.

Existing Condition

Shaw Creek is paralleled closely by a privately owned road used for timber and livestock management.  Public access is allowed during the majority of the year, the exception being the spring break-up.  Because of the proximity of the road to the stream, and that in certain locations the elevation of the road is barely above that of the stream, sediment runoff from the road is likely, degrading  water quality and fish habitat. In most locations, moving the road away from the stream and out of the draw bottom is not a practical option because the terrain immediately adjacent is extremely steep with hard rock rims prevalent. If the road was to be moved, it would be prohibitively expensive. The best remaining option is to "lift" the roadbed to an elevation that will keep the stream from capturing the roadbed transporting the associated sediment during high flows.

Over the last 5 years, Forest Capital (previously Boise Cascade) has made a significant investment in the stability of the Shaw Creek road by adding several inches of rock surface and installing several rolling dips to drain sediment onto filter strips.

Three culverts on Shaw Creek are presently fish passage barriers, based on standards in ODFW's Road Crossings Fish Passage Criteria. They are undersized, lack natural substrate, and exceed gradient standards.

At this time, anadromous steelhead are unable to access Shaw Creek because of the vertical barrier at the intersection of Ladd Creek and Interstate 84.  Oregon Department of Transportation has plans to implement the removal and replacement of the current structure that renders passage impossible.

Projects that have already been implemented  in the nearby vicinity addressing similar issues include a major project in Smutz Draw that removed 7 culverts and replaced them with 3 bridges, and also relocated 2.76 miles of road from the bottom of Smutz Draw.
Downstream projects include the proposed channel reconstruction across much of Ladd Marsh (~5 miles of new channel), large woody debris placement is planned for much of Lower Ladd Creek

Benefits:

The habitat in Shaw Creek has not been populated by anadromous fish since the late 1960's because of the impassable vertical barrier at I-84. With work scheduled to remedy the passage issue there in 2007, upstream habitat must be ready to accommodate all life stages of steelhead that will most likely search out and populate the watershed.

The road adjacent to Shaw Creek is the property of Forest Capital, LLC. and serves as a primary access for their property and other private properties in the vicinity. Management activities related to livestock and timber are possible because of this road, so it is an important arterial that needs to be maintained. Public access for outdoor activities is also possible in the area because of this road. It would be ideal to completely eliminate this road, but it is impractical to relocate most of the road because of the steep canyon topography, so the best alternative is to reduce as much as possible the negative effects it can have on water quality and habitat.

Resident Red Band Trout currently use the available habitat in Shaw Creek, and will benefit from the reduced sediment loads and easier movement because of improved passage

Project Maintenance:

Maintenance will be the sole responsibility of landowner, Forest Capital.