Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007OR80B

Campus and Community Monitoring and Restoration of Mill Creek/Shelton Ditch

Institute: Oregon
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2007-03-01 End Date: 2009-03-01
Total Federal Funds: $52,400 Total Non-Federal Funds: $111,088

Principal Investigators: Joe Bowersox

Project Summary: Mill Creek flows westward from the forested foothills of the Cascade Mountains in central Oregon to the Willamette River in Salem. The 55-square mile watershed drains surface and ground waters from lands used for intensive agriculture, light industry as well as urban development. Like much of Oregon's Willamette Valley, the Mill Creek watershed has experienced reduced water quality conditions. The loss of wetlands, reduced native upland vegetation, compromised riparian buffers and polluted runoff and sedimentation in the Mill Creek watershed have contributed to declining water quality. Additionally, historical diversions and channelization projects for energy generation and timely transportation of peak winter flows to receiving streams have significantly diminished the ecosystem services provided by Mill Creek, and also reduced its aesthetic and recreational value. Despite its size and significance, Mill Creek remains the only watershed in the Salem metropolitan area lacking a state-sanctioned watershed councilperhaps reflecting its historical neglect. By emphasizing water quality monitoring and community-based ecological restoration of Mill Creek within the Salem Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), the current project has four main objectives: to establish a long-term water quality monitoring program facilitating watershed enhancement; to educate residents and students of all ages residing in the watershed regarding the ecological and social significance of Mill Creek and enlist their help in its restoration; to facilitate practical partnerships amongst watershed stakeholders, including local businesses, a nascent watershed group, a neighborhood association, a public elementary school, and a private, liberal arts university; to create and enhance social capital through community building; to involve students in practical research, monitoring, and restoration exercises advancing their scientific understanding and policy knowledge. These objectives will be attained through this grant by purchasing monitoring equipment, establishing monitoring protocols; collecting additional data via land-use analyses and stream walks; establishing a web page for sharing information and data; creating new curricular and co-curricular opportunities for undergraduate students; organizing and undertaking riparian and instream restortation projects with campus and community partners; offering small grants in aid as seed/leverage money to watershed partners undertaking additional projects.