Lottery tickets can provide funds for restoration projects

The Illinois Valley is known worldwide as an important spawning site for Coho salmon and Steelhead, but it is easy to forget this in the crush of everyday life. And while lottery funds do come back to our Valley in the form of grant funding for restoration projects—and running down to the corner store for a Powerball ticket definitely doesn’t hurt!—there are many more direct ways you can help salmon.How many times have you purchased a lottery ticket advertised to “support natural resources” and wondered, does this actually have an effect on my community?

Several local organizations offer ways for you to get involved in promoting salmon health. Illinois Valley SWCD and Illinois Valley Watershed Council are local groups of citizens who are actively involved in salmon habitat protection and restoration in Southern Oregon. As part of our mission to promote locally led conservation, we recruit volunteers for tree plantings, stream cleanups, water quality monitoring, and fish salvage. We also work with many partners to coordinate large-scale restoration projects. We invite you to contact our organization if you are interested in helping in any way, or in attending our monthly meetings.

While a number of other volunteer opportunities with like-minded groups are listed below, you might also consider taking steps to turn your own property into a mini “haven for salmon”. As the graph below shows, a vast majority of prime Salmon habitat in the IV is privately owned. IVSWCD and IVWC offer free, non-regulatory services and consultations to Illinois Valley residents interested in learning more about protecting salmon habitat on their land. Simple actions, like fencing domestic animals away from streams or restoring native vegetation can have a big payoff for salmon—and that’s no gamble!

If you’re interested in taking steps to restore salmon habitat on your own property, here are some ideas:

1. Keep the water clean and cool. If you wouldn’t want to eat or drink it, chances are it should not be in your stream! Stream contaminants can include anything from chemicals stored too closely to the water, fertilizer runoff, animal waste, and even soil erosion. One of the best ways to keep your stream clean and healthy is to maintain a riparian buffer—an area of thick, varied native vegetation alongside your stream. The trees, grasses, and shrubs in a riparian buffer help to shade the stream. They are also an excellent way to filter contaminants out of the stream. For salmon health and water quality, spending a few dollars to plant native seedlings can be an excellent investment.
2. Don’t forget about smaller streams. Although Deer Creek has been identified as a restoration priority for the Selma area, it is not the only important salmon-bearing stream! Even small and seasonal streams are important fish habitat. Coho are notoriously poor swimmers and prefer to spend their time in smaller “side channels” and tributary streams. It is also important to remember “we all live downstream,” and whatever enters the water in a small upland tributary can have an impact on our entire watershed.

Where to volunteer:

Organization: Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District & IV Watershed Council, Cave Junction

Activities: Volunteer tree plantings, stream cleanups, water quality monitoring, fish salvage, and project monitoring opportunities. Also offer assistance and information to landowners interested in conservation ideas for their properties.

For more information: 541-592-3731 or www.ivstreamteam.org

Organization: Siskiyou Field Institute, Selma

Activities: In addition to general educational offerings, SFI hosts weekly spring and fall Salmon Spawning Surveys following a volunteer training session on April 26^th 2012.

For more information: (541) 597-8530 or www.thesfi.org

Organization: Middle Rogue Steelheaders, Grants Pass

Activities: With primary goals to conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, the Steelheaders participate in regular tree plantings for salmon habitat restoration across Southern Oregon.

For more information: www.rogue-steelheaders.org

 Prepared for the Quarterly Conservation Corner column, Spring 2012

Kevin O'Brien (center) poses with USFS employees on a recent visit to the Sucker Creek Restoration Site

Kevin has made significant steps in restoring watershed health and function with multiple partners on both private and National Forest System lands in the Illinois Valley during his tenure as the coordinator of the Illinois Valley Watershed Council. To optimally serve as a stream/aquatic restoration planner, Mr. O’Brien earned a River Restoration Professional Certification by attending a year-long course through Portland State University.

Mr. O’Brien has managed or co-managed numerous major instream and riparian projects in the Illinois Valley on private and public lands, including Althouse Creek bank stabilization, Sucker Creek bank stabilization, Grayback Creek large wood placement, Deer Creek channel and floodplain restoration, and Sucker Creek floodplain and channel restoration.

“I wake up every day and get to do what I absolutely love to do, and that is be a part of a team dedicated to improving our natural resources and economic conditions in the region,” said O’Brien.

Kevin [has] consistently demonstrated extraordinary abilities in bringing a wide variety of agency and non-profit partners together to work towards shared natural resource goals and solutions in restoration and watershed projects.  Some of the projects have been so complex, they have taken 20+ years to accomplish, requiring extensive knowledge and cooperation in the administering of permits, land owner agreements, grant writing, contracts, surveys and assessments.

“These individuals are two shining examples of our many partners in conservation that we are privileged and honored to work with. We simply could not accomplish many of our restoration projects without their contributions and involvement,” said Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Fisheries Program Manager Susan Maiyo.

“Rise to the Future,” a highly successful USDA Forest Service initiative, was designed to enhance the fisheries and watershed on national forests.  The “Rise to the Future” awards acknowledge exceptional work in the aquatic arena, such as fish, watershed, soils and management leadership, aquatic research, aquatic restoration, fishery/recreational accomplishments and collaborative/integrated aquatic stewardship.

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is proud to honor … local, regional and national leaders in aquatic stewardship and restoration.

Source: USFS News Release, Pacific Northwest Region

A disease-resistant Port Orford Cedar takes root, thanks to the hard work of volunteers

Over fifty volunteers from across the state of Oregon converged on the Upper Sucker Creek Restoration Project site on Saturday, March 31st to assist with tree planting. The event, organized by the US Forest Service and the Illinois Valley Watershed Council, attracted individual volunteers, as well as groups from the Middle Rogue Steelheaders, Rogue Flyfishers, the Nature Conservancy, and Oregon’s AmeriCorps programs.

Some intrepid volunteers chose to hike in to the planting site, using a road affected by the erosion that helped inspire work on Sucker Creek

With the help of enthusiastic laborers, many hundred trees were planted along the banks of Sucker Creek’s newly re-aligned stream channel. As part of an ongoing restoration effort, more meanders have been restored to Sucker Creek and a more natural flow pattern has been returned to the stream. Sucker Creek has been affected by historic landuse patterns and mining activities in the area.

Volunteers were involved in planting native trees and shrubs, including disease-resistant Port Orford Cedar,  in the stream’s riparian zones and floodplains.  These efforts will help to shade the water and provide cooler temperatures to the native salmon that have returned to the restored stream reaches. Additionally, riparian trees help to limit erosion and control runoff during heavy winter rains.

“We so very much appreciate all the hard work volunteers did, digging holes and planting trees on Sucker Creek,” says IVSWCD Special Projects Coordinator Nancy Smebak, reflecting on the work day. “The entire Sucker Creek project would never have been possible without the numerous project partners, and volunteers are another essential part of our team.”

Over fifty volunteers from across the state of Oregon converged on the Upper Sucker Creek Restoration Project site on Saturday, March 31st to assist with tree planting. The event, organized by the US Forest Service and the Illinois Valley Watershed Council, attracted individual volunteers, as well as groups from the Middle Rogue Steelheaders, Rogue Flyfishers, the Nature Conservancy, and Oregon’s AmeriCorps programs.

Some intrepid volunteers chose to hike in to the planting site, using a road affected by the erosion that helped inspire work on Sucker Creek

With the help of enthusiastic laborers, many hundred trees were planted along the banks of Sucker Creek’s newly re-aligned stream channel. As part of an ongoing restoration effort, more meanders have been restored to Sucker Creek and a more natural flow pattern has been returned to the stream. Sucker Creek has been affected by historic landuse patterns and mining activities in the area.

Volunteers were involved in planting native trees and shrubs, including disease-resistant Port Orford Cedar,  in the stream’s riparian zones and floodplains.  These efforts will help to shade the water and provide cooler temperatures to the native salmon that have returned to the restored stream reaches. Additionally, riparian trees help to limit erosion and control runoff during heavy winter rains.

“We so very much appreciate all the hard work volunteers did, digging holes and planting trees on Sucker Creek,” says IVSWCD Special Projects Coordinator Nancy Smebak, reflecting on the work day. “The entire Sucker Creek project would never have been possible without the numerous project partners, and volunteers are another essential part of our team.”

Protect the area from overuse

If your stream flows through a pasture, fencing off a portion of the stream and allowing animals to water at specific places is suggested to improve conditions. Our organizations may be able to offer funding assistance for riparian fencing projects.

Additionally, protecting riparian areas may be required by law. Josephine County prohibits many activities in the riparian zone—an area that legally extends 25’-50’ from the edge of a waterway. The Oregon Department of Agriculture also has standards for protecting streamside riparian trees, shrubs, and grasses.

Restore native vegetation.

Native plants are adapted to thrive in our environment. Unlike Himalayan Blackberries—a poor choice for streamside riparian areas—native plants have sturdy root systems that will keep soil in place. Plan for a variety of plant types. A mixture of mature trees, shrubs, and grasses are the best bet for a healthy riparian buffer that will keep your stream well-vegetated. Learn more about suggested tree and shrub species in A Guide to Riparian Tree Planting in Southwest Oregon from University of Oregon Extension (scroll to the bottom of the page and click to open PDF).

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The information on this page is taken from a larger IVSWCD publication. You can download our entire Caring for Streams Booklet as a PDF.

Over 350 species of Western Oregon wildlife species strongly rely on healthy riparian areas, while 29 species use riparian areas exclusively. Keeping your stream and your riparian area in good health is excellent way to attract wildlife.

Waterways attract ducks, geese, and other waterfowl, and plant life provides cover for these birds. In fact, many species of native birds  require riparian areas for breeding. Fencing to keep cats and dogs out of riparian zones can help make these areas even more friendly to birds and wildlife.

Fish-Friendly Streams

For native salmon and other fish species, healthy streams are extremely important. Riparian areas help create fish-friendly habitat by limiting the amount of sediments and other pollution that enter streams. Riparian areas also shade streams to keep water temperatures cool. Salmon species require average stream temperatures below 64°F. However, all major streams in the Illinois Valley are warmer than this.

Do not relocate fish from one stream to another.

When seasonal streams dry out, fish can become trapped in the remaining pools. However, in Oregon it is illegal to catch and move live fish to another stream without a proper license. (This is partly to make sure invasive species are not moved into new areas.) IVSWCD and IVWC can help connect you with people who can take care of struggling fish.

If you irrigate, use fish screens on diversions and pump stations.

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The information on this page is taken from a larger IVSWCD publication. You can download our entire Caring for Streams Booklet as a PDF.

As the diagram shows, riparian zones perform many important functions.

•Control water temperature

Although riparian buffers may contain a mixture of plant types, trees, and shrubs, tall tress are able to shade the water in the stream. Cooler water is good for everyone who wants to swim in a stream—fish and people.

•Stabilize streambanks

The root systems of riparian plants work together to hold soils in place, reducing erosion and undercutting. It is important to consider the types of plants growing in riparian zones. Although Himalayan blackberries are common throughout the Illinois Valley, their shallow root systems are not very good for controlling erosion.

•Filter and remove nutrients and sediments

Riparian plants slow down the water flowing into streams, allowing nutrients and sediments to drop out before the water enters the stream.

•Mitigate (Control) Floods

Just as we can walk or drive more quickly across pavement than through heavy underbrush, water also moves more slowly in areas with thick plant life.  Although surface water will eventually flow into the stream, riparian plants can slow down the process while allowing some of the water to soak into the ground.

•Stabilize Summer Flows

Riparian zones collect and store water and save it for later use. A slow release of groundwater allows streams to recharge more consistently in drier, low-flow seasons. Riparian plants also shade soil and water to limit evaporation.

•Provide Wildlife Habitat

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The information on this page is taken from a larger IVSWCD publication. You can download our entire Caring for Streams Booklet as a PDF.

What does riparian mean? The word “riparian” (pronounced rip-air-ee-en) comes ripa, from the Latin word for bank–as in, stream bank.

A riparian area is a “terrestial zone where annual and intermittent water, a high water table, and wet soils influence vegetation and microclimate,” according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A simpler definition of “riparian” is simply, next to a body of water. The land next to your stream is in the riparian zone. (Riparian zones can also be called riparian areas and riparian buffers.)

How big is a Riparian Zone?

The size of a riparian zone differs based on the size of the body of water and the surrounding land. For example, a stream surrounded by steeply sloping land has a different size and type of riparian zone than a stream that flows across a flat plain. Also, different parts of the riparian zone have different functions, as shown in this diagram.

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The information on this page is taken from a larger IVSWCD publication. You can download our entire Caring for Streams Booklet as a PDF.

Although flooding is a natural and essential process for waterways, that does not mean floods do not cause problems. But what causes floods?

Floods occur when there is more water in the landscape than can effectively flow downstream. Simply put, floods are an imbalance in our water system. Several different conditions can cause this:

There is little we can do about the amount of snow and rain we receive , but by creating buffers of riparian vegetation it is possible to slow the way rain water enters streams. Slower rates of water flowing into streams can reduce the chance of flooding.

What determines where a flood occurs? Usually, the slope of the land limits where flood waters can flow. The floodplain is a large, flat area near a stream that is likely to be flooded. There are often limits on building houses or other structures in the flood plain and near streams. Some areas are intentional flood plains, designed to “hold” water and limit flooding further downstream. The riparian zone is part of the floodplain and an important part of stream health. When a section of stream has steep, narrow banks, that portion of the stream  is not likely connected to its floodplain. This can cause serious problems downstream.

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The information on this page is taken from a larger IVSWCD publication. You can download our entire Caring for Streams Booklet as a PDF.

Erosion—and resulting sand/rock deposits and meandering streams—are completely natural and necessary process. That does not mean they are not problems for landowners. Many of our streams and their surrounding riparian areas have been altered from their natural state, and these changes can contribute to problems with erosion.

Erosion is more likely to occur on bare soil than on areas thick with plant life. That is why keeping the land next to streams full of healthy, varied vegetation is so important. The image of floodingshows the erosion that can happen when streamside riparian areas are left “naked” and unprotected.

As you have probably noticed, fast-moving water causes more erosion. Streams may move faster because they have been straightened or because they lack in-stream  logs and boulders to slow water. However, the solution to erosion is not just to “throw some rocks in the stream to slow things down”. This is likely to only shift the problem upstream or downstream. (Additionally, this sort of in-stream work often requires permits.)