| Umatilla Basin |
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| Umatilla County |
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Government Mountain Road Sediment Reduction Project
Sediment Reduction Project (2000)
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Salmon License Plate Funds $58,400
Total Project Cost $144,028
Government Mountain Road, an 11-mile logging and public use road, crosses tributaries of the Walla Walla River in several locations. As a result of frequent use and inadequate drainage, the upper portions of the road dumped sediment and road runoff into the tributaries, damaging water quality throughout portions of the Walla Walla River watershed. Undersized culverts and fords disrupted stream flows, impeding fish passage to spawning and rearing habitat for several sensitive species, including bull trout, summer steelhead, redband trout, and margined sculpin. Through the help of salmon license plate funds from OWEB, the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council, in cooperation with Umatilla County, Oregon Department of Forestry, and four neighboring landowners, improved over five miles of road, installed 10 culverts, and fenced against off-road uses in two significant wetlands. Today the native species of the Walla Walla River stream system enjoy higher water quality and improved spawning and rearing habitat, thanks to salmon license plate funds.
For more information contact Brian Wolcott, Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council (541.938.2170)
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Road crew surveying old ford
Fish-friendly culvert ready for winter flows
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