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Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report

2009

Prepared by

Billy Johnson Environmental Aide Stormwater Services

Introduction Program Background and Crew

Annual Variability Maps, Variables, and Graphs

Battle Creek Watershed Waln, Battle, Scotch, and Powell Creek

Upper Claggett Watershed Claggett Creek

Croisan Creek Watershed Croisan Creek and Golf Creek

Glenn/Gibson Watershed Glenn Creek, Gibson Creek, and Tributaries

Little Pudding River East and West Forks of Little Pudding

Mill Creek Watershed Mill Creek, Mill Race, and Shelton Ditch

Pringle Creek Watershed All Forks of Pringle Creek, Clark Creek

Restoration Project Project Overview, Plants Used and Costs.

Hazards and Safety Hazards, Training, and Safety Equipment

Transient Camps Maps and Procedures

Wetlands Assistance Specific Projects and Outcomes

Conclusion Program Summary and Summer Contacts

Supplemental Material Weekly Reports

Introduction

Salem’s Creeks and Watersheds

Program History In February of 1996 an unusually large amount of precipitation accompanied by an early snow melt caused many of the rivers and creeks in the Willamette Basin to rise extensively. Salem was no exception, with 100-year flood levels both urban and rural areas were hit hard. Damage was extensive across the entire city. City businesses, infrastructure, and residents were all impacted by the flooding. Most residents were affected by a loss of potable water, damage to personal property, or by the damage that was caused to the local transportation system. As part of an effort to reduce the future potential for flooding, the City of Salem developed an annual stream cleaning program.

The Stream Cleaning Program got its start in 1998 and focused primarily on increasing stormwater conveyance and minimizing the risk of flooding in local watersheds. The first few years were spent clearing debris from sections of creek that had never been cleaned. Once the creeks had gone through this initial “deep clean” the program began to evolve. As creek cleaning became routine the program began to incorporate restoration efforts that would enhance creek habitat. In 2003, the City began hiring college students with a background in environmental science and natural resources. This shift allowed students to incorporate classroom knowledge into real life challenges, enabling crew members to make educated decisions in the field that enhance stream habitat while also increasing stormwater conveyance. Over time, the program has continued to implement improvements that will help preserve and enhance the functionality of our local watersheds. 2009 Summer Highlights Since 1998 the Stream Cleaning Program has successfully cleaned and restored Salem’s creeks. While the crew has experienced many changes, the primary goal remains to identify and resolve a variety of conveyance issues. On a daily basis the crew removes invasive species, debris jams, and hundreds of pounds of trash. In 2009, thanks to the leadership of two crew-leads that were returning members, the crew was able to get a smooth start and remain productive all season. The crew started June 24th and worked through September 18th, 2009. During this time the crew covered 51 miles of creeks, removing 24,240 lbs of trash and 143 yds³ of natural debris, while also recycling 5,440 lbs of material. Here are some highlights from the 2009 season:

• Recycling Efforts In recent years, crew members were seeing hundreds of pounds of potentially recyclable material from the creeks make its way into the trash. This year’s crew was determined to change that. After coordinating with Covanta Energy, Agri-Plas, Garten Services, and Marion County’s Environmental Services the crew was ready to make a difference by recovering as much material as possible from the creeks. The crew was able to recycle everything from TV’s and toasters to mattress springs and plastic bags. In total the crew recycled over 5,400 lbs of trash!

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Introduction 1


• Wetlands Assistance This year, the Stormwater Wetlands Maintenance staff presented a variety of new opportunities for the Stream Crew. During the summer the crew assisted with invasive removal and maintenance activities at wetlands sites. Overall, the crew really enjoyed working with Wetlands staff. Crew memebers acquired plant identification skills, and gained a sense of ownership in enhancing habitat throughout Salem.

• Transient Camp Clean-Ups

The crew collaborated with the Salem Police Department to clean a number of stream-side camps that were adversely impacting creek habitat and water quality.

• Crime Scene Assistance The crew assisted the Salem Police Department in a search for crime evidence. The crew was brought in to remove vegetation so the police department could conduct a thorough search of the area.

• Outfall Survey The crew conducted an outfall survey in West Salem, mapping stormwater outfalls and identifying potential illicit discharges.

• Fish Screen Maintenance at Mill Race/Mill Creek This year the crew cleaned and maintained the fish screen at Mill Race, a structure put in place to keep fish from Mill Creek out of the race. The crew monitored water levels and removed debris as necessary to assure proper function.

Report Overview This report provides an overview of the 2009 Stream Cleaning Program’s daily activities and challenges, with details of each report section as follows:

Section 2 provides a variety of maps, variables and graphs that work to describe the productivity and distribution of the program from 1998 until now.

Sections 3 through 9 provide a summary of specific watersheds that were cleaned by the crew. These sections include a watershed description, map, daily challenges, crew cleaning activities, pictures, and a chart displaying the total amount of debris removed as well as miles covered in each watershed.

Sections 10 through 13 describe specific projects and training such as transient camp cleanups and restoration projects, as well as the dangers and safety issues the crew faces on a daily basis.

Section 14 concludes the report by recapping the crew’s growth and success throughout the summer.

Section 15 includes supplemental material such as the Environmental Aide’s weekly reports, summer contacts, and acknowledgement

The 2009 Stream Crew

Top Row: Nora Kauffman*, Claire Bunch Middle Row: Luke Westphal*, Jonathan LaTour, Andrew Harris Bottom Row: Billy Johnson**, Chase Dearman, Nate Eshleman, Andrew Beagle * Crew Leader

* Environmental Aide *


Annual Totals

2009 Creeks Cleaned

3,740

5,100

380700

40

1,1601,340

4,980

4,560

2,140

100

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Wei

ght (

lbs)

Battle/Waln

Claggett Clark

CroisonGibson

Glenn

Little Pudding

MillPringle

Shelton

Turnage Brook

Creek

2009 Trash Removed per Creek

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Annual Variability 1

33,965

128,942

21,15414,150

8,733

22,798

12,260

124,380

103,109

72,926

280

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

Wei

ght (

lbs)

Battle/Waln

Claggett Clark

CroisonGibson

Glenn

Little Pudding

MillPringle

Shelton

Turnage Brook

Creek

12 Year Trash Totals


380

920

380

400

280310

1,590

980

540

20

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Wei

ght (

lbs)

Battle/Waln

Claggett Clark

CroisonGibson

Glenn

Little Pudding

MillPringle

Shelton

Turnage Brook

Creek

2009 Recycling per Creek


32

0

15

8

19

12

03

41

0

13

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Cub

ic Y

ards

Battle/Waln

Claggett Clark

CroisonGibson

Glenn

Little Pudding

MillPringle

Shelton

Turnage Brook

Creek

2009 Natural Debris per Creek


226

84

138

4366

144

12

141

494

23 17

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Wei

ght (

lbs)

Battle/Waln

Claggett Clark

CroisonGibson

Glenn

Little Pudding

MillPringle

Shelton

Turnage Brook

Creek

12 Year Natural Debris Totals



12 Year Totals by Creek Trash (lbs)

Creek 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 12 Year Totals Battle/Waln 4,000 300 2,000 1,340 1,850 13,220 1,275 720 1,700 2,060 1,380 4,120 33,965 Claggett 0 54,137 16,120 15,640 3,220 5,800 6,830 1,880 6,300 7,735 5,260 6,020 128,942 Clark 3,000 1,450 1,360 1,440 1,420 6,180 1,360 760 1,300 1,644 480 760 21,154 Croisan 0 400 2,440 2,260 2,520 3,920 270 340 0 920 340 740 14,150 Gibson 0 0 0 3,060 520 3,440 220 160 540 573 180 40 8,733 Glenn 0 2,100 1,560 5,720 1,740 4,720 780 500 1,500 1,918 820 1,440 22,798 Little Pudding 0 2,700 2,000 620 380 710 0 0 0 2,260 1,940 1,650 12,260 Mill 34,000 17,360 15,920 7,920 9,120 6,180 8,000 5,780 9,290 4,240 6,570 124,380 Pringle 8,000 12,150 10,740 10,780 4,480 15,520 8,425 5,580 6,255 9,659 5,980 5,540 103,109 Shelton 0 6,870 4,000 15,740 4,400 8,960 5,520 5,540 5,120 7,576 6,520 2,680 72,926 Turnage Brook 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 60 120 280 Other Creeks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 49,000 97,467 40,220 72,520 28,450 71,590 30,860 23,480 28,495 43,735 27,200 29,680 542,697

Natural Debris (yds³) Creek 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 12 Year Totals Battle/Waln 10 10 0 0 0 40 44 23 30 23 14 32 226 Claggett 0 25 9 6 0 13 16 12 2 1 0 0 84 Clark 10 10 0 0 0 15 13 13 27 19 18 13 138 Croisan 0 5 0 0 0 0 10 8 0 8 4 8 43 Gibson 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 12 2 2 21 19 66 Glenn 0 15 18 0 0 0 20 27 17 21 14 12 144 Little Pudding 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 12 Mill 60 25 0 20 5 0 12 0 4 12 0 3 141 Pringle 40 30 6 16 0 35 87 53 69 59 58 41 494 Shelton 0 10 0 0 0 8 5 0 0 0 0 0 23 Turnage Brook 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 13 17 Other Projects 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 85 33 0 0 118 TOTAL 120 140 33 42 5 111 217 148 236 180 131 141 1,504

Annual Variables Controlled:

1. Size and Experience This year the crew consisted of six crew members and two crew leads. This is the second year the crew has consisted of eight members. The efforts of previous crews have paid off by reducing the amount of time the current crew needs to spend in each creek. This allows a smaller crew to cover the same amount of ground as covered in the past by a larger crew. Every year the crew relies on the return of past members to help guide the program. The two crew leads this year were returning members from the 2008 season. Their past experience contributed greatly to the success of the crew.

2. Duration of the Season Over the years the length of the season has ranged from two to four months. This year the crew worked from June 24th to September 18th. A three month season allows the crew to walk the majority of creeks, respond to periodic service requests, and coordinate an annual restoration project.

3. New Projects As the season progresses the crew tackles a variety of side projects. This year the crew assisted the operations and maintenance crews by working on a variety of service requests. This ranged from picking up natural debris to removing tires from a ditch. The crew also conducted an outfall survey in West Salem, and provided assistance to the Stormwater Department’s Wetlands staff.

4. Coordination Efforts The Environmental Aide (EA) is in charge of coordinating what, when, and where the crew cleans. On a daily basis this involves physically scouting each creek before cleaning to identify possible challenges the crew may face. In turn the EA is able to prepare the crew to work safely and efficiently. In addition the EA must also establish a variety of contacts in the community. Every year access points must be coordinated that allow crew members to remove debris from the creeks with ease. These coordination efforts allow the Stream Cleaning Program to cover ground quickly, cleaning a majority of Salem’s streams. If these efforts become limited the program may loose efficiency.



Uncontrolled:

1. Weather Weather has a large effect on the crew’s productivity. This year, only two days of rain occurred—heavy rain can slow the crew’s progress. There were also two days where temperatures passed 100º F, and almost three consecutive weeks in vicinity of 90° F. In this heat, the crew takes extra care in preventing overexertion, and is occasionally pulled from the creeks and given an alternate project.

2. Annual Dump Sites (Un-natural Debris) A large factor that determines how much the crew can get done is the amount of trash the crew finds. The more trash that is left in a creek, the longer it takes the crew to clean that creek. The crew found two large dump sites this year. Both of these sites were along Claggett Creek in areas with easy access and privacy. The crew found everything from mattresses and shopping carts to tires and car parts.

3. Natural Debris

Every season the crew removes a variety of natural debris. Woody and invasive vegetative debris are removed from the creeks to ensure conveyance. The main invasive plant removed is Himalayan Blackberry. Blackberry and any other type of natural debris removed the creek are taken to Brown’s Island to be recycled and turned into compost. This year Brush College Park in West Salem had more debris then normal due to cold temperatures and high winds during the previous winter. Winter storms can often increase how much dead debris is present during the crew’s efforts.

4. Transient Activity

Transient activity in and around local creeks can degrade water quality. The crew will target specific sites to clean every season that appear to be threatening the health of our creeks. This year the crew focused their efforts on a large camp along Claggett Creek. The camp had a variety of trash and fecal matter that was coming in direct contact with the creek. A couple smaller camps along Shelton Ditch were also cleaned. In total the crew removed over 2,800 lbs of trash and 280 lbs of recyclable material.

Battle Creek Watershed

(Battle, Powell, Scotch, and Waln Creek)

2009 Totals

Trash: 3,740 lbs

Natural Debris: 32 yds³

Cleaned: 5.1 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 33,965 lbs


Battle Creek Watershed (Battle Creek, Scotch Creek, Powell Creek, and Waln Creek) Watershed Description:

The Battle Creek Watershed is located in South Salem just below the Pringle Creek Watershed. Battle Creek, Scotch Creek, Powell Creek, and Waln Creek are all found within this watershed. Large sections of Battle, Powell, and Scotch Creek run through private property (Golf Courses) or are outside of City limits. Due to these complications, historically the crew has only been able to clean small sections of these creeks. However, within the last year the City of Salem acquired the southern half of what was formerly Battle Creek Golf Course. This allowed the crew to clean additional sections of all four creeks that hadn’t been cleaned regularly in recent years. Waln Creek, which lies entirely within city limits, is the longest creek the crew cleans in this watershed, covering just over 2.6 miles. As a whole this watershed is prone to trash, invasive plants and animals, as well as illegal water withdraw. As development continues to expand in South Salem the Creeks have become confined, creating an adverse environment in which native species have been displaced and invasive species have begun establishing themselves. Crew Activities: The Battle Creek Watershed proved to be difficult for the crew in a variety of ways. As mentioned, this area is prone to invasive animal species, specifically Nutria (Myocastor coypus). Nutria burrow into stream banks increasing erosion and sedimentation which can lead to a weak stream bed and deep holes. Blackberry was also an early challenge in this watershed. The crew was responsible for identifying, cutting, and removing invasive Himalayan Blackberry. Working in the Battle Creek Watershed helped to prepare the crew for the variety of challenges that they would face throughout the entire summer.

In this watershed and throughout the entire city the crew found a total of 7 pumps. The location and status of these pumps was then forwarded to the Oregon Water Resources Department for further investigation. Water pumping wasn’t the only form of illegal activity the crew encountered; they also found loaded steel traps in Waln creek. One property owner had posted signs with the warning “beware of traps.” As the crew progressed they noticed real steel traps that were set, hanging from a fence, in the middle of the creek. The traps were then reported to the City of Salem’s Compliance Services. These traps served as a reminder to the crew that they must always be cautious and careful.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Battle Creek Watershed 1

Battle Creek Watershed


oes his part by picking up left

over trash. used to be

Battle Creek Golf Course.

Section of Waln Creek where steel traps were found.

Nate Eshleman is ready to clean!

High flows can reduce the ability of root systems to hold the bank in place.

The crew makes their way through the creek.

Zach Diehl d A small stretch within what

Upper Claggett Watershed

(Claggett Creek)

2009 Totals

Trash: 5100 lbs

Recycling: 920 lbs

Cleaned: 2.9 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 128,942 lbs


Upper Claggett Watershed (Claggett Creek) Watershed Description: The Upper Claggett Watershed is located in Northeast Salem and is home to Claggett Creek. In total there are 2.67 miles of creek within this drainage basin. This creek has earned a rough reputation over the years due to frequent dump sites and dense transient activity. Small stretches immediately east and west of Portland Road have been prone to large transient camps. In the past, mattresses, full rolls of carpet, showers, tires, oil sheens, car batteries, and more have been found in the creek. Claggett Creek is unique in that it offers a variety of environments. Just down stream from the head waters there is a restored wetlands site at McKay High School. From there the creek is invaded by reed canary grass and makes its way into Marion County. As the creek flows into Salem’s northeast industrial area there is a small stretch that includes frequent dumping sites, transient activity, and overall poor conditions. Despite such a rough reputation this watershed does provide several encouraging aspects. As the creek heads towards Keizer, it passes through a series of wetlands. These wetlands are an essential part of this watershed providing natural filtration and flood mitigation for the creek. Crew Activities: This year the crew cleaned a 1.05 mile section of Claggett Creek that hadn’t been cleaned in previous years—in the vicinity of Market Street and toward McKay Park. This year Claggett Creek provided a variety of challenges for the crew. The crew pulled hundreds of pounds of garbage from two illegal dump sites. A large pull out at Portland Road provides privacy and easy access to the creek for dumping. Every year there is a variety of trash that gets dumped at this site. The second dump site was near Hyacinth Street and Hawthorne Avenue. A queen size mattress, oil cans, a large steel door and a variety of tires were removed from that location this year. Due to the amount of trash found in these sections the crew has typically focused on the removal of un-natural debris. Beaver dams are also a common occurrence in the wetland areas. This year, since the dams were in a natural area and did not pose a flood threat, they were left to enhance the habitat of the local wetlands. In the past couple of years trash totals from Claggett Creek have been on the decline. This is good news for the creek that has the most amount of trash removed per mile cleaned in the entire City. Persistent cleaning by the stream crew matched by the will of concerned citizens to restore wetlands is helping this watershed function more effectively. This year the crew pulled 3,280 lbs of trash from the creek. This is approximately 2000 lbs less then last year.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Upper Claggett Watershed 1

Clagget Creek

nd mixed into debris jams in

laggett Creek. Some stretches have more trash then others.

The crew makes their way through a small ravine in Claggett Creek.

Nate and Andy work hard to remove a steel door from the creek.

Nora and Claire remove an old chair that was

und in the wetlands area.

The crew approaches a large debris jam.

fo

Trash is often fou

C



ett Creek is a popular dumping place for

res. w makes their way through the

creek.

ss. Andy conquers mattress.

Clagg

The cre

ti

Andy finds mattre

Croisan Creek Watershed

(Croisan Creek)

2009 Totals

Trash: 700 lbs

Recycling: 40 lbs


Cleaned: 5.5 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 14,150 lbs


Croisan Creek Watershed (Croisan Creek and Golf Creek) Watershed Description: The Croisan Creek Watershed is located in Southwest Salem. Croisan Creek and Golf Creek are the two waterways within this watershed that the crew cleans annually. Croisan Creek is the main focus, stretching from outside City Limits past Sprague Park and on into Minto Brown Park where the creek ends at the East Willamette Slough. Invasive vegetation, uneven city/county boundaries, and beaver dams are all common in this watershed. Golf Creek, a tributary, merges with Croisan Creek within Minto Brown Park and flows on into the East Willamette Slough. Just upstream from Minto Brown Park the creek is invaded by reed canary grass. The grass can reach heights well above four feet making navigation especially difficult for the crew. The grass is able to adapt and establish quickly, overcrowding and killing native vegetation. Further upstream just south of River Rd S. the stream meanders in and out of City Limits. Finally, even further upstream the creek enters the City at a large natural wetlands site. This particular watershed is a great example of the balance between natural and urban impacts on a watershed. As you follow the creek you notice quick shifts between large natural sections and dense residential areas. When a housing development is introduced into a watershed it confines the creek while increasing flow. Urban development often creates a variety of impermeable surfaces which increases stormwater runoff. With an increased flow in a confined area it becomes apparent that the preservation of the natural sections is a necessity. These native stretches provide natural filtration, sediment and erosion control, as well as vital habitat for aquatic species. Crew Activities: The crew had to deal with a variety of challenges while working on Croisan Creek. In the three full days it took the crew to clean the watershed they pulled 700 lbs of trash, 40 lbs of recycling, and 8 yds³ of natural debris. The large stretches of reed canary grass often served as a trip hazard by disguising large trash items. The large wetlands site where the creek enters the city contains a fish ladder to insure passage and conveyance during high flows. Every year there is a resident beaver who builds a dam across the mouth of the fish ladder, and it becomes a task for the crew to relieve the dam to ensure proper conveyance and passage during high flows.

Throughout this watershed debris often accumulates in front and across culverts creating flood and washout hazards. The crew’s efforts focused on removing debris in and around culverts as well as removing debris that has the potential to accumulate. Crew members were able to work as a team and draw on past educational experiences to problem solve as they worked in this watershed. Debris removal, and invasive species management was of special interest as the crew cleaned Croisan Creek.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Croisan Creek Watershed 1

Croisan Creek

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Croisan Creek Watershed 2

blocked by a beaver

am, limiting flow. e dam was removed to allow

proper flow.

Nora hauls a bag through a large box culvert for access.

Nora gets ready to lift a heavy bag of blackberry.

Andy and Nate enjoy some blackberries. Luke and Chase work to clear the fish

ladder.

A section of thThis fish ladder was

d

Glenn/Gibson Watershed

(Glenn and Gibson Creek)

2009 Totals

Trash: 1,200 lbs

Recycling: 280 lbs


Cleaned: 5.4 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 31,531 lbs


Glenn-Gibson Watershed (Glenn Creek, Gibson Creek, and Tributaries) Watershed Description: The Glenn Gibson Watershed is located in West Salem. The two main creeks, Glenn Creek and Gibson Creek, are the focus of the area. Other tributaries such as Wilark Brook, Archer Brook and Goldcrest Brook been added to the list and cleaned for the past couple years. These creeks can prove to be challenging. Bees, poison oak, and large debris jams are a daily encounter for the crew. Most stretches are well stabilized with thriving vegetation. However, as West Salem continues to grow the creeks are forced to adapt. Residential development has encroached on native beaver habitat which plays a key role in our local ecosystem. While dams built by beavers provide vital creek habitat they also threaten private property with flooding. The crew has learned to handle each case carefully. If the dam has the potential to cause flooding in a residential area it is usually removed. In contrast, if the dam does not threaten to cause flood damage it will be left in place to enhance and maintain habitat. In addition to debris jams, Himalayan Blackberry is also an ongoing concern for the crew. It has taken over many stretches along Glenn and Gibson Creek. The crew’s efforts work year after year to mitigate the impact of this invasive plant. Other invasives such as English Ivy have been established in the Glenn-Gibson Watershed. Parks and other areas with heavy human disturbance are prone to these types of invasive plant establishments. Orchard heights, a city park, is a good example of the challenges the crew faces while managing invasive species, dealing with dangers such as poison oak, and native habitat enhancement. Crew Activities: In the past, crew members have found bees and wasps to be quite challenging while cleaning both Glenn and Gibson Creek. This year the crew was able to sneak through this watershed un-stung. Another risk factor is poison oak. This year three crew members came into contact with the dreaded plant and two of them showed signs of severe exposure. The crew members were taken to the Salem Hospital where they received treatment for their exposure. The two members each missed two days of work to ensure a full recovery.

The crew was encouraged while working in West Salem by the level of involvement the Glenn-Gibson Watershed Council displayed. Specifically, the watershed council members encouraged the crew by providing “Weed Wrenches” which allowed crew members to remove over 2 yds³ of Scotch Broom and over 3 yds³ of Himalayan Blackberry. The collaboration was an effort to protect the headwaters of Turnage Brook at the Eola Detention Basin.


Gibson Creek was an extreme challenge this year with temperatures reaching over 100º F for an entire week. As a preventative measure the crew was assigned alternative projects for two of those days, and worked at a more conservative pace when in the creek. Brush College Park was also difficult for the crew. The park had an excessive amount of woody debris due to severe storms this past winter. Over 18 yds3 of natural debris was removed from the area. Then the crew tackled Glenn Creek running into the occasional deep holes, poison oak, and yellow jackets!

Gibson Creek

Jonathan gets ready to tackle a giant debris jam.

Luke and Andy add to their debris pile at Brush College Park.

Maneuvering through the creeks can be difficult thanks to willows.

The crew removes the source of a debris jam.


A large Debris Jam After the Debris was removed by the crew.

Debris blocking flow on Gibson Creek After the debris was removed. Native Blackberry vines follow the creek.

Glenn Creek

The crew had several encounters with poison oak while in this watershed.

Jonathan and Claire tag-team a bundle of blackberry.



The Crew found a large amount of dead The crew will often leave larger logs to

Jonathan makes his way through a tough stretch of Glenn Creek.

Andrew finds some items that can be recycled.

The crew finds a variety of trash.

Luke leads the way!

debris in the creek. control erosion and enhance habitat.

Little Pudding Watershed

(East and West Fork of Little Pudding)

2009 Totals

Trash: 1,340 lbs

Recycling: 310 lbs

Cleaned: 3.3 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 12,260 lbs


Little Pudding Watershed (East and West Forks of the Little Pudding River) Watershed Description: The East and West Forks of Little Pudding River are found between Lancaster Ave and Cordon Road in Northeast Salem. The creeks flow through a combination of rural farm land and residential neighborhoods. These waterways are fairly confined and lined with residential fencing. As these stretches meander through the city, summer conditions create a combination of dry creek bed and muddy pools of water. Due to the small size of this watershed it is prone to flash flows during winter months and virtually no flow during the summer because of limited precipitation. Riparian habitat along the East and West Fork of the Little Pudding River is considerably limited. This leaves the area with direct sunlight exposure for extended periods of time. In turn reed canary grass is the most common species found within this particular drainage basin. The conditions allow the invasive grass to out compete native plant species not only along the banks but in the creek bed as well, providing relatively poor habitat for native animal species. As a result, invasive animal species such as nutria are frequently found living among the canary grass tunneling into the streambank. The living habits of the nutria increase the potential for erosion. Crew Cleaning: The Little Pudding Watershed is a fairly recent addition to the Stream Cleaning schedule. This is the third consecutive year the crew has cleaned the East and West Forks of the Little Pudding River. The dense reed canary grass is typically mowed by other Stormwater staff and crews, so vegetative debris removal is usually quite limited for the crew. The grass often makes navigating the creeks a unique and challenging experience, so the crew is thankful anytime they come across a section where the grass has already been cleared.

Garbage on the other hand is quite prevalent. Many apartment complexes and open lots have become annual dumping sites. The crew worked hard this year cleaning both stretches of creek found within the city limits in only 2 days. They pulled 1,340 lbs of trash and 310 lbs of recyclable materials. The crew was especially proud of four bikes they found that were placed in Marion County’s Re-Usable recycling program.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Little Pudding River 1

East and West Forks of Little Pudding

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Little Pudding River 2

he crew found a few bikes in the creek… A stretch invaded by reed canary grass.

Jonathan helps Luke dispose of an old hose.

A dry stretch of the East Fork

Chase reaches for some trash.

Willows can make trash removal difficult.

T

Mill Creek Watershed

(Mill Creek, Mill Race, and Shelton Ditch)

2009 Totals

Trash: 7,120 lbs

Recycling: 2,130 lbs


Cleaned: 9.3 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 197,306 lbs


Mill Creek Watershed (Mill Creek, Mill Race, and Shelton Ditch) Watershed Description: The Mill Creek Watershed is one of the more prominent watersheds in the City of Salem. Mill Creek, Mill Race and Shelton Ditch are all found within this watershed. Mill Creek is the longest creek within the city limits. A large stretch of Mill Creek from where it enters the city until Cascade-Gateway Park is prone to deep water and unpredictable flows. The creek then meanders through town until it makes its way to the Willamette River. Shelton Ditch is diverted from Mill Creek just east of Airport Road at Weir Dam, which is used to regulate water levels in both Shelton Ditch and Mill Creek. Shelton Ditch then continues on through the city, following Mission Street before it turns and heads towards Pringle Park where it converges with Pringle Creek. Mill Race diverges from Mill Creek just west of 21st St. This site in particular is controlled by a fish screen and check dam. The check dam which spans across Mill Creek is used to control flow in both Mill Creek and Mill Race. The fish screen, which is positioned at the mouth of Mill Race, works to discourage fish passage. Mill Race then flows through dense residential neighborhoods where it is limited to a tight riparian corridor with a variety of urban ruble along the bed. Crew Cleaning: The Mill Creek Watershed provides a variety of challenges for the crew. Most sections of creek within this watershed are wide and relatively deep. This changes the focus of cleaning efforts. Since the Mill Creek Watershed is prone to larger flows, less debris accumulates which allows the crew to focus on trash removal. Due to the size of the creeks as well as a number of bridges, this watershed provides easy access for individuals looking to illegally dump trash. The crew uses personal flotation devices (PFD’s), a throw rope, and a small aluminum boat while cleaning both Mill Creek and Shelton Ditch. Not only does this equipment keep the crew safe, it makes their job easier. Access points with steep banks are often too difficult to manage while removing heavy trash items. As a result, the crew uses the boat as a trash barge which allows them to easily transport large amounts of collected garbage through the creeks until they find the best access possible. The PFD’s and throw ropes ensure safety for the crew should they need them while cleaning sections with deeper water and fast flows. All of these creeks work their way through downtown Salem which is significantly harder to work in compared to other areas around the City. This part of town is always extremely busy during the day making parking access especially difficult. Transient activity is a recurring issue along many of these downtown creek stretches as well. Crew safety is a top priority; if the crew cannot clean a certain section of creek due to safety or access concerns they will simply skip that section until the proper arrangements have been made. This year there were two construction projects taking place within the Mill Creek Watershed. The first project was on Shelton Ditch at 12th Street. This was an ODOT bridge project and finished before the end of the season. The city used the weir dams along Mill Creek and Shelton Ditch to lower water levels for construction purposes. The crew took advantage of this by cleaning each stretch while it was lowered. This allowed the crew to access a variety of

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Mill Creek Watershed 1

trash that otherwise would have been inaccessible. The second project took place along Mill Creek at State Street. This was also an ODOT bridge project and lasted the duration of the crew’s season. In turn the crew wasn’t able to clean this section of Mill Creek. Construction is an ongoing issue with the crew, this year it happened to work in their favor.

Mill Creek

The crew finds a small debris-jam near Cascade-Gateway Park.

The boat often doubles as a trash barge for the crew.

Typical day in the Mill Creek Watershed. Luke discovers the dirty side of working

in the creeks.


Pipes and tire rims are a frequent find.

An area along Mill Creek with a rope swing and stolen park tables.

Mill Race

ce overgrown

ith blackberry and Ivy. joying the water at

Mission Mill.

Nate and Andy discover a staff gauge long Mill Race.

Nora tosses a piece of garbage to an access point. a

A small section of Mill Ra A few ducks enw



Shelton Ditch

recovers a stop sign from Shelton k together to dispose

ow water levels allow the crew to recover a variety of trash.

Claire and Nate admire what they just pulled from the creek.

onathanJ

DLuke and Andy wor

itch.

of a sleeping bag.

L

Pringle Creek Watershed

(Pringle Creek: East, West, and West-Middle Forks. Clark Creek)

2009 Totals

Trash: 4,980 lbs

Recycling: 1,360 lbs


Cleaned: 9.3 miles

12 Year Totals

Trash: 124,263 lbs


Pringle Creek Watershed (All Forks of Pringle and Clark Creek) Watershed Description: The Pringle Creek Watershed is between the Mill Creek Watershed to the north and the Battle Creek Watershed to the south. This watershed is one of more extensive drainage basins within the City of Salem incorporating the East, West, and West-Middle forks of Pringle Creek as well as Clark Creek. With just over 18 miles of creek within city limits, this watershed is a top contender for highest annual natural and un-natural debris totals. The crew spends a majority of their summer in this watershed every year and faces a variety of challenges. Pringle Creek runs upstream from the Willamette River and on to the southeast. As it meanders throughout the city it has several tributaries. The East Fork of Pringle Creek begins just south of Oxford St. SE. as it splits from the main creek. This creek eventually parallels Union Pacific Railroad tracks making it especially difficult to clean. This proves to be an access challenge every year. The creek eventually ends just south of Kuebler Blvd. The West and West-Middle Forks of Pringle Creek run through a variety of housing developments and industrial areas. These areas have been prone to native beavers that enjoy building large dams. These stretches are a mixture of confined flow and large natural areas creating a balance between proper conveyance and water storage. Poison Oak and Himalayan Blackberry are two of the most dreaded plants species found within the Pringle Creek Watershed. Both species are found in abundance and make cleaning efforts difficult. Clark Creek begins just south of Ewald Ave SE and eventually merges with Pringle Creek at Bush Park. The last few years Clark Creek has been of special interest due to the establishment of invasive species that have degraded native habitat. Side effects such as native species loss and erosion are far too common along many stretches. English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberry, and Japanese Knotweed are all well established along this Creek.

Crew Cleaning: This year the crew became too familiar with bees, beavers, and poison oak while working in the Pringle Creek Watershed. These creeks in particular provided several stings and poison oak exposures this season. The Middle Fork of Pringle Creek hasn’t been cleaned for the past two years. Access would have to be coordinated with Union Pacific for these stretches. Within the Fairview industrial area the crew experienced a more common obstacle. Native beaver dams were backing up flow. Since the dams were found in natural wetlands they were left to enhance habitat. This isn’t always the case, if the dams provide a potential hazard to property they will be removed or modified to ensure conveyance. Invasive species that have become established throughout the watershed threaten habitat and out compete native plants. To reduce the spread of such invasives and to mitigate their impact both this season and last year the crew has chosen Clark Creek for three restoration projects. It’s exciting to see how successful many of these restored areas have been thanks to community involvement. Section 10 of this report covers this year’s restoration project in detail.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Pringle Creek Watershed 1

Pringle Creek

Chase working hard! Removing debris from Pringle Creek.

Nora’s having a good day! water levels

are effected by beaver dams.

The crew receives an “in field” chainsaw demonstration.

Luke stabilizes a log before using the

saw. The crew finds a fallen tree and root mass underneath Liberty Street. chain

Zach demonstrates how much


ogs from Need a hand?

finds a rather large beaver dam.

ypical day in the creeks. Andrew piles the blackberry for pickup.

Chase removing some large lunderneath Liberty Street.

The crew found a naturally carved tunnel on Norathe West-Middle Fork of Pringle Creek.

T


ndy was happy to find a giant wall of

blackberry! ks.

A culvert with overgrown vegetation blocking flow.

The same culvert after the crew cut back the vegetation.

A large natural area that where flow was backed up.

Nora’s ready to get dirty!

A Nora enjoyed finding wildlife in the cree



Clark Creek

a bundle of

blackberry.

Japanese Knotweed is found in many sections along Clark Creek.

The crew came across a bag containing deer remains.

Many stretches were prone to Himalayan Blackberry and Reed Canary Grass.

The crew makes their way through a culvert.

Andrew and Claire tag team

Hypodermic needles can be anywhere, even hidden in a bank.

Restoration Project

Restoration Project Clark Creek Each year the Annual Stream Cleaning Program incorporates a restoration project into their season. Restoration efforts are a vital component of the Stream Crew. Mitigation and restoration efforts work to enhance creek habitat, while providing natural filtration and storage of water. These efforts pay off by reducing the threat of flooding and encouraging natural processes which provide habitat to a variety of native plant and animal species. Restoration efforts are also a great educational experience for crew members. This year every crew member was given the opportunity to not only participate in the restoration project, but to plan it. A variety of factors go into choosing a restoration site each year. Current site conditions as well as the involvement and interest of property owners are the two main factors. While the stream crew does everything it can to ensure the success of restoration projects, many sites do require regular maintenance from property owners until the native species have had time to establish. If a site is in poor condition displaying excessive erosion, invasive plant establishment, or bare ground, then it is more likely to be chosen for the annual restoration project. This year the restoration site was a 1,344 square foot section along Clark Creek just west of 12th St S. The crew members had an initial conversation with the property owners as they were conducting regular cleaning efforts. The residents were concerned with two creek side trees that appeared to be diseased. After evaluation by a certified arborist and removal of the trees to alleviate the possibility of property damage, the site had little to no vegetation on the south bank. Additionally, Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy, and English Holly were established on the north bank. With the trees gone the site would likely be prone to further spread of invasive species. As a result, the Stream Crew offered to conduct this year’s restoration project at this site. The property owners were excited at the possibility and had made effort to start cutting blackberry on their own. The crew first removed over 3 yds³ of Himalayan Blackberry and English Ivy to clear the area of invasives. Next the crew developed a planting strategy that would encourage the success of more then 70 native plants. Erosion matting was then used on the entire site to prevent loss of soil from the stream bank. Compost was used in each planting as well as on top of the erosion matting to increase quality of top soil. In the final stages, a sand/grass seed/bedding mix was spread on top of the entire project to encourage native grasses and wildflowers to grow and stabilize the top soil. The crew used over 3 yds³ of compost, 2 rolls of erosion matting, and 72 native plants at the site. The site was watered daily to encourage early establishment and was looking great by the end of the season.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Restoration Project 1

Restoration Site

Before the trees were removed from the southwest corner of the project.

After the trees were removed (North end)

was careful to leave all the native plants. ch were

laid to increase soil conditions.

The crew evaluates the site. The restoration site after the crew cleared all the invasives.

While removing the invasives, the crew Five cubic yards of organic mul



Restoration Efforts

rew begins planting. to plant slough sedge

rew lays erosion matting to discourage Andrew works to spread the seed-mix.

The crew’s final project. The same site just a few weeks later with

natives thriving!

The c

Nora works hard near the water.

The csoil loss.

Hazards & Safety

Hazards and Safety The stream crew encounters a variety of challenges and obstacles throughout the season. Depending on the creek, poison oak, bees, beavers, deep water, aggressive dogs, difficult terrain, blood borne pathogens, and heavy lifting are just some of the many hazards the crew may come across while working. To address these potential hazards, the crew undergoes extensive training at the beginning of the season. The crew’s training includes, but isn’t limited to, aggressive dog safety, chainsaw safety, vehicle use, outdoor safety, blood borne pathogen awareness, illicit discharge identification, and fire extinguisher safety. These trainings involve coordination with the Salem Police Department, Bio-Med, Environmental Services, OSHA, and the City of Salem’s Public Works department. In addition, throughout the season the crew participates in bi-monthly safety meetings

Crew members are encouraged to communicate and work as a team when faced with any challenge in the field. Critical thinking skills matched with proper training allow the crew to overcome a variety of obstacles. Hazards may change every year, and the crew should always be ready for adverse situations. Safety is the crew’s first priority, if any crew member is worried or feels on safe they are pulled from the creek. On a daily basis the crew is equipped with technu for poison oak exposure, sooth-a-sting for insect stings and bites, personal flotation devices or life jackets for deep water, sharps containers for any type of needle or sharp object the crew might come across and personal protective equipment such as safety vests, safety glasses and gloves.

This year the crew fully experienced a variety of challenges. Deep water was wet reality from day one. Crew members often returned at the end of the day soaked from stepping in an area that was too deep for their waders or tripping in the creek. Two crew members suffered severe poison oak exposure this year. The two members were taken to the hospital and treated. There were also several bee stings throughout the summer. Despite these relatively minor injuries and hazards, this season was free of any major injuries. The Stream Cleaning Program does everything it can to provide crew members with a safe work environment by providing a variety of training for any type of challenge they may face on the job.

Hazards and Safety

The crew is equipped with personal flotation devices when working around deep water.

Water can often flow underneath large debris jams.

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Hazards and Safety 1

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Hazards and Safety 2

Bee stings aren’t too much fun… d glasses

while working in the creeks.

Nora works to put out a fire during fire-extinguisher training.

Jonathan cuts through a “round” during chainsaw training.

Zach provides chainsaw training for the rew.

The crew wears hardhats while loading debris overhead. c

The crew uses gloves, hats, an

Transient Camps

Transient Camps Claggett Creek, Pringle Creek and Shelton Ditch

Water is life. When humans lose all other means of survival they gravitate toward water. Salem is no different. Throughout the city the most popular places for displaced individuals to camp is along our waterways. Unfortunately there are a few concerns with water quality that arise.

Transient camps near creeks could degrade water quality for a number of reasons. Transients often bathe and clean their clothes/supplies in the water, potentially releasing pollutants. Trash piles are also common, which can make their way into the stream—not only polluting the creek but also possibly creating a flood hazard. Human waste can also be found in transient camps, impacting water quality and creating a health hazard.

On occasion transient camps also result in property damage. This year downed fences, stolen pallets and boxes, as well as a variety of tarps were just some of the damages/costs to property. In addition, the camps often cut down and trample native vegetation reducing the quality of creek habitat, and increasing streambank erosion.

Each year, the crew targets cleaning of transient camps that appear to be directly threatening the health of a creek. Once a camp is targeted for clean up, the Salem Police Department posts a notice of mandatory evacuation within 24 hours. This gives sufficient time for transients to gather their belongings and clear the camp. The crew, accompanied by an officer, will then enter the camps and remove any remaining debris.

Cleaning transient camps can be one of the hardest parts of the summer for some crew members. The crew uses discretion when cleaning the camps and sets aside any personal items or food they might find. Camps cleaned up this year included the following:

• Claggett Creek at Portland Rd. o 2,460 lbs of trash and 280 lbs of recycling removed

• Pringle Creek at Mission St.

o 100 lbs of trash removed

• Shelton Ditch at Winter Street o 300 lbs of trash removed

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Transient Camps 1

Claggett Creek at Portland Rd.

ris was found near “make

shift” shelters. transients just feet from the creek.

The crew found a variety of trash. The crew begins removing large debris from the camp.

Human waste was among the trash found at

e camps.

A large trash pile just 15 feet from the creek. th

A variety of deb

A large dump site utilized by local


Pringle Creek at Mission St.


to remove a

variety of soiled clothing. vegetation

growing through it.

Soiled sleeping material that was left behind.

Trash and human waste that had accumulated under the bridge.

The needles after they had been placed in sharps containers.

Hypodermic Needles found under Mission St.

Shelton Ditch atnd Winter St.

Nora and Claire work hard A small bike that had

Wetlands Assistance

Wetlands Assistance Stormwater Wetlands Staff This past year, Wetlands Maintenances staff transferred from the Parks Department to Stormwater Services. Wetlands staff are tasked with maintaining wetlands areas around the city, and provided the stream crew with a variety of new work opportunities. The crew helped with routine maintenance as well as invasive species identification and extraction at a number of locations. These new opportunities allowed the crew to put some of their classroom knowledge to good use. One of the more memorable projects for the crew was the removal of an invasive plant species from Geren Island. The Island has several small ponds. One of those ponds is home to an endangered native fish called a chub. An invasive noxious weed, Yellow flag Iris, was growing in the pond and encroaching on the habitat the Chub relies on for survival. Crew members entered the pond with 2-5 feet of water and physically removed the iris. This project, like many others allowed the crew to gain a sense of ownership when it came to restoring and enhancing native habitat. It’s not everyday that individuals are able to work so closely in these unique habitats, let alone be directly responsible for enhancing the habitat of an endangered species. The crew was able to improve their plant identification skills and walked away from the summer having acquired a variety of beneficial knowledge. Here are some other sites the crew helped to maintain:

• Glenn Creek Wetlands • Mill Creek Mitigation at Center St.

• Fairview wetlands

• Franzen Reservoir

• 12th Street Bioswale

• Geren Island

• Mill Creek Mitigation at Liberty St.

• Boise Cascade Mitigation Site

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Wetlands Assistance 1

Wetlands Assistance

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Wetlands Assistance 2

learing debris piles along Fairview. Nora building her muscles.

Debris the crew pulled from a wetlands site. Jonathan…happy to be working!

Taking out invasive plants. Shoveling through hard soil is no

easy task.

C

Conclusion This was the 12th successful season for the Annual Stream Cleaning Program. In the past 12 years the Stream Crew has strived to ensure conveyance in Salem’s creeks. The program has evolved to incorporate a variety of environmental conscious components and continues to change through incremental program improvements. The 2009 Stream Crew worked to enhance local watershed habitat while alleviating the threat of flooding by removing a total of 24,240 lbs of trash and 143 yds³ of natural debris and 5,440 lbs of recycling while cleaning just over 51 miles of creeks. Additionally, the crew was able to clean a few sections of creeks that had not been cleaned in a number of years. The crew dealt with a variety of challenges while working in the creeks this year. Everything from debris jams to illegal dumping was a daily obstacle for the crew. Illegal activity such as water pumping was also a commonly observed. Finding steel traps in Waln Creek was a first for the crew, providing a reminder that unanticipated hazards can arise. The crew utilizes a variety of training to help them respond appropriately and safely to these adverse situations in and out of the creeks. While the condition of many Salem creeks is a cause for concern, there are a variety of encouraging aspects. The crew literally finds everything imaginable in the creeks. From car parts and toasters to building supplies and kitchen sinks. In the last few years crew members have noticed a decline in annual trash totals. This is attributed to the Crews success. Their efforts in the creeks are ensuring conveyance while attracting the attention of residents. When residents know the City is working to keep their neighborhood healthy they often take ownership and do their part to keep the creek clean. This year the crew came across several property owners who were proud to show the crew what they had been doing to enhance the health of the creek. Community involvement is invaluable! This program allows crew members to not only draw on past work experience, but on their educational experience as well. The crew is able to use classroom knowledge to help them solve a variety of challenges they encounter everyday. From the management of large woody debris to creek-side restoration, the crew is well equipped and ready to make a difference.

In my two years of working with the crew (both as a crew member and now the Environmental Aide) I am confident in its success. Not only does this program annually meet and surpass conveyance goals, it is always ready to adapt and change for the better, evolving to incorporate new components that work to enhance the environment along our creeks.

Individual motivation played a large role in the success of the 2009 Stream Crew. In turn, I asked the Crew what kept them motivated throughout the summer. Some of the responses included the following:

• “Playing a major part in maintaining and restoring the creeks and environments that surround us.”

• “The team as a whole motivated me. Our productivity relied on the presence and effort of all eight crewmembers. I didn’t want to let anyone down, and that kept me motivated.”

• “The satisfaction of entering a “dirty” stream and leaving a clean stream behind.”

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Conclusion 1

2009 Stream Cleaning Program Annual Report Billy Johnson, Environmental Aide Conclusion 4

Acknowledgements

• I would like to thank the 2009 Stream Crew for their hard work and optimism. • Wetlands Maintenance staff for providing a variety of new opportunities for the crew.

• The entire Stormwater Services workgroup for offering guidance and advice throughout

the summer.

• Zach Diehl for his day-to-day involvement with the crew.

• Environmental Services for providing Illicit Discharge training, and for assisting the crew in the field when requested.

• The Salem Police Department for their efforts in transient camp clean-ups.

• Wallace Hansen Nursery for their knowledgeable and friendly staff who provided all of

the plants used in the restoration project.

• I would also like to thank the Salem community for the level of interest and support the crew received throughout the summer. Everyone plays a key role in maintaining the health of our creeks; it’s encouraging to see members of the community taking ownership.

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