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Crystal Springs Creek and Westmoreland Park Ecosystem Restoration

Bringing salmon back to Crystal Springs Creek

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Portland are working together in southeast Portland to restore a portion of Crystal Springs Creek to improve fish habitat and passage. The project reflects the Corps’ commitment to environmental stewardship by restoring ecosystems and improving watershed health.

The project is a partnership between the Corps and the city of Portland. It is authorized under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development act of 1996, which allows the Corps to partner with non-federal agencies to restore degraded aquatic ecosystems. Project costs are shared between the Corps (65%) and the city (35%).

Westmoreland Park restoration

Crystal Springs Creek is a tributary of Johnson Creek that flows through Westmoreland Park. Its naturally cool water and steady, year-round flow provide ideal fish habitat. Endangered salmon and trout species, including coho, Chinook and steelhead migrate through the creek to the ocean and back again to spawn.

The Corps, together with Portland Parks and Recreation and Environmental Services, begins work this summer to transform the existing concrete-lined duck pond into a wetland area through which Crystal Springs Creek will flow. The restoration will reduce water temperatures and improve habitat for threatened native salmon, and restore habitat for native waterfowl, amphibians and mammals. When the project is complete visitors will have a healthier park for people and native wildlife.

All in-water work will be accomplished from July 15 to August 31 to minimize impacts to migrating fish.

Tacoma Street culvert replacement

The Corps, together with the Bureau of Environmental Services, is replacing several culverts to improve fish passage. Culvert replacement is a key element of recovery of endangered juvenile salmon and trout species.

Construction preparations are underway to replace the culvert at S.E. Tacoma Street and S.E. 21st Avenue. The new 14 foot wide, natural-bottom culvert will replace the existing 4 foot diameter pipe culvert and improve fish passage and hydrology.

Early work to prepare the sites for summer construction included removing branches from select trees to avoid impacts to nesting migratory birds. These same trees will later be removed from the site before construction begins. The work on Tacoma Street requires removing four trees, some of which are already in poor health.

All in-water work will be accomplished from July 15 to August 31 to minimize impacts to migrating fish.

For more information

Phone: 503-808-4510

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The Portland District and city of Portland are partnering to restore fish passage through Crystal Springs Creek. The Corps is installing wider, natural bottom culverts, a key element of recovery of endangered juvenile salmon and trout species.
The Portland District and city of Portland are partnering to restore fish passage through the cool, clear waters of Crystal Springs Creek flowing through Westmoreland Park. The Corps is removing the man-made concrete duck pond and restoring wetland habitat for native waterfowl, amphibians, and mammals. When work is complete, the park will be a place to experience and enjoy nature in the city.
The Portland District and city of Portland are partnering to restore fish passage through the cool, clear waters of Crystal Springs Creek flowing through Westmoreland Park. The Corps is removing the man-made concrete duck pond and restoring wetland habitat for native waterfowl, amphibians, and mammals. When work is complete, the park will be a place to experience and enjoy nature in the city.
The Portland District and city of Portland are partnering to restore fish passage through the cool, clear waters of Crystal Springs Creek flowing through Westmoreland Park. Construction begins in June to replace small culverts and create wetland habitat for native waterfowl, amphibians and mammals. When work is complete, the park will be a place to experience and enjoy nature in the city.
Portland District commander Col. John Eisenhauer (left) and project manager Jim Adams show Northwestern Division commander Brig. Gen. Anthony Funkhouser (pictured as a Colonel before his promotion) the completed first phase of the Crystal Springs Creek and Westmoreland Park Ecosystem Restoration Project in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland. The $8 million project, partnered with the City of Portland, will improve salmon habitat and passage in an urban setting.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Portland are working together in southeast Portland to restore a portion of Crystal Springs Creek to improve fish habitat and passage. The project will be completed in two phases beginning in July 2012 and is part of a larger Crystal Springs Creek restoration effort.

About this project

Collapse All Expand All
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Westmoreland Park restoration

Restore 2,400 linear feet of the creek to improve fish habitat by:

  • Removing concrete curbing along the creek and pond banks
  • Adding logs, pools and riffles in the creek channel

Remove the duck pond and restore a wetland in its place

Plant nearly 15,000 native plants in the wetland and along the riparian corridor to shade the creek and prevent erosion.

New and reclaimed recreational amenities include:

  • More than 2,500 linear feet of new boardwalks and paths
  • Two overlooks and one water access ramp
  • Benches, picnic tables and lighting

Restoration project benefits

  • Create a healthier park for people and native wildlife
  • Reduce water temperatures and improve habitat for threatened native salmon
  • Restore wetland habitat for native waterfowl, amphibians and mammals
  • Improve park amenities for visitors, including trails, a boardwalk, picnic tables, and benches

 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Tacoma Street culvert replacement

A 14-foot-wide, natural-bottom culvert will replace the existing 4-foot-wide pipe culvert, improving fish passage and hydrology.

A new striped pedestrian crossing will be installed at SE Tacoma St. and SE 21st Ave. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Public impacts

Westmoreland

The park will be closed west of the primary path from SE Bybee Blvd. to SE Lambert St. One bridge near the maintenance building will remain open during construction, allowing access from the east side of the park to SE 22nd Ave. All other bridges will be closed. Recreation areas such as tennis courts, ball fields, the casting pond and restrooms on the east side of the park will be open and accessible via McLoughlin Blvd., SE Bybee Blvd. and SE Nehalem St. Residents and visitors should expect increased noise and construction traffic during the project.

 

Culvert replacement

Culvert work will begin in June and conclude in October.  Typical construction hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; hours will be based on the project schedule and the weather.  All construction activities will comply with Portland City Code – Title 18 – Noise Control. To keep the project on time and to take advantage of favorable weather conditions, the contractor may request a noise variance to conduct work on Sundays.

Tacoma Street will remain open and plans are in place to minimize impacts to traffic, parking and sidewalks as best as possible during construction.  Drivers should expect traffic delays; pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be detoured around the project area. During construction some on-street parking spaces may be unavailable. Local access to private driveways will be maintained.

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