The Upper Willamette River and tributaries were historically major spawning grounds for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed spring Chinook salmon and bull trout as well as resident rainbow and cutthroat trout. Much of this area became inaccessible in the 1950's due to construction of down stream dams. Unfortunately, a rotenone project in 1960 severely impacted the bull trout population. A major effort was started in the mid 1990’s by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to reintroduce bull trout fry back to their native habitat. However, reintroduction sites were selected based on rearing habitat. Spawning habitat at these sites was lacking.
The overall goal of this project is to facilitate the formation of a self sustaining population of threatened bull trout back into their native habitat, in addition to providing spawning and rearing habitat for spring Chinook salmon, which will always rely on transfers over the dams.
The conservation goal of this project is to restore spawning gravel and fish habitat back into Swift Creek, the only tributary, above Hills Creek Reservoir, with documented bull trout presence prior to their extirpation. The project partners, USFS, ODFW and TU, will accomplish this by placement of large wood and rock in the stream to create habitat as well as provide and recruit spawning gravel.
The capacity building goal is to get people involved in conservation and help foster more active leaders in the community. To accomplish these goals, members of the McKenzie Upper Willamette Chapter will assist in on the ground restoration efforts, engage in community education, and publicity about our chapter and TU.
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