Camp Polk stream regeneration shows promising results

For the past several years at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, the Deschutes Land Trust has been patiently working to restore a significant reach of Whychus Creek to its historic, healthy condition. Finally, in February, the stream was redirected into a newly constructed channel that closely approximates the original course of the creek.

Early signs indicate that the mammoth project is progressing exactly as hoped. Amanda Egertson, stewardship director for the Land Trust, took the time last week to guide a group of local residents down to the new channel for a glimpse at the project's progress over the last three months.

Starting at the point where the creek was diverted into the reconstructed channel, Egertson pointed out the clear flowing water and the classic river-rock stream bottom. "We didn't bring those rocks in," she said. "The rocks you see in the new channel were there in the original channel." She related the painstaking process of finding, then uncovering, the old streambed from half a century ago.

Five new redds, or fish "nests," have already been observed in the new section. Previously, the channel had been too straight and fast-flowing to accommodate the establishment of redds. This early success in the space of only a few weeks leads Land Trust officials to be optimistic about the long-term success of the project.

Egertson explained how the Army Corps of Engineers channelized the creek in the 1960s in the name of flood control; and, in so doing, destroyed fish and wildlife habitat along 18 miles of what was then known as Squaw Creek. This new project has reintroduced meanders and slow-moving waters to enhance stream habitat diversity.

Hydrology and habitat science have come a long way in the half-century since Whychus Creek was modified, and the Land Trust is using that knowledge to revitalize the creek. Partners in the project include the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, the Deschutes River Conservancy, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy, Portland General Electric, and the Deschutes National Forest.

Participating organizations and agencies expect this work to contribute to the restoration of salmon and steelhead runs to Whychus Creek, an effort that is already well underway.

While excavating the meandering new channel, approximately 30,000 cubic yards of soil and rock were moved around and saved to plug the now-abandoned straight channel from the 1960s. Although the scars from the dramatic remaking of the landscape are still very much in evidence, the land is healing. The Land Trust has placed nearly 200,000 plantings of native trees, shrubs, and grasses in the disturbed areas and along the new stream banks.

According to Egertson, the survival rate of the plantings has been an astonishing 95 to 98 percent. Pointing to the revised channel at the far downstream edge of the preserve, she said, "See all that green down there. It's really wet in that area and the plants are growing like gangbusters."

Tree species reintroduced include alder, birch, cottonwood, chokecherry, and willow. In addition, dogwood, wild rose, elderberry, spirea, sedges, rushes, and grasses have been planted. Nearly two thousand downed logs and trees have been placed in the restored areas to help stabilize and hold the soil in place.

The end result of the project is expected to benefit more than just fish habitat. Many forms of wildlife seem to be taking advantage of the developing new ecosystem. Large mammals such as deer, mountain lions, marmots and otters have all been reported on the site.

Beavers, the natural world's engineers, have already moved in and become very active on the preserve. Beaver are a very important link in the process of building and maintaining the hoped-for riparian habitat that is expected to transform near-desert lands back into the rich habitat that existed when Camp Polk was established by a U.S. Army Reserve unit from Polk County in 1865.

Scientists around the country are watching to see how this landmark restoration project turns out. The majority of the preserve will remain as dedicated wildlife habitat and is closed to the public. A viewing and information area is open to the public at the site of the historic Hindman barn. Watch for the entrance sign on Camp Polk Road about a half-mile east of the Wilt Road junction. Camp Polk Road is the county extension of Locust Street and passes by the Sisters Airport.

However, the closed portions of the preserve may be visited on scheduled Land Trust tours. To sign up for a tour or for further information contact 541-330-0017 or visit  www.deschuteslandtrust.org.