Alder Creek highlights

The completed bridge over Alder Creek.

“The project property was
purchased by the Moersch family for the purpose of protecting its important aquatic and riparian habitats. They’re so happy to have been able to help with improving fish passage in this reach and the rest of the watershed above.
”
— Dave Shively, Executive Director Nestucca, Neskowin, & Sand Lake Watersheds Council

Project oVerview

Started: 1/21 Completed: 10/22

Alder Creek drains a 7.05 square mile (4,512 acre) watershed and is a tributary to Three Rivers, an important tributary of the Nestucca River. From its headwaters on the Siuslaw National Forest land, Alder Creek flows through private timber land and privately owned pastures. The project's two culverts were a significant fish passage barrier and their replacement with a much larger aluminum box culvert restored access to approximately 1 mile of coho habitat, and 2 miles of total salmonid habitat. Additionally, aquatic organism passage restored access to 14 acres of beaver influenced wetland habitat including ponds, side channels and alcoves suitable for juvenile rearing. 

Completed Solution

The barrier two culverts were replaced with an aluminum box culvert, sized to accommodate 1.5 times the active channel width.

Highly successful Partnership

The Alder Creek project was successfully implemented  with the  collaboration of Salmon SuperHwy partners. Federal and state agencies, local non-profits, and a willing private landowner combined technical skills and funding to remove an in-stream barrier and reconnect high quality spawning and rearing habitat.

The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and Nestucca Neskowin Sand Lake Watersheds Council (NNSLWC) led the project. The US Forest Service provided surveys, permitting assistance and oversaw project implementation. The US Fish and Wildlife Service provided technical assistance, design review and cash contribution. NNSLWC provided project management, state & local permitting and contracting. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife provided technical assistance in project implementation.

Benefits

  • Restores access to 2 miles of anadromous fish  habitat, including 14 acres of quality juvenile rearing habitat.

  • Improves sediment and large wood transport

  • Resilient infrastructure

Partners

Nestucca, Neskowin, & Sand Lake Watersheds Council, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation and Development, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

cost + funding

TOTAL PROJECT COST: $327,349

NRCS: $196,849 plus $70,000 in kind

USFWS: $10,000

Cascade PRCD: $41,000

USFS: $8,000 in kind

ODFW: $1,500 in kind