Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District
 
 
 
 
 

Necanicum Riparian Restoration Project


 

 Project Partners:
  • Clatsop Soil and Water 
  • Oregon Fish and Wildlife 
  • Division of State Lands 
  • US Fish and Wildlife
  • Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation
  • Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
  • Oregon Natural Resources Conservation Service 
  • Clatsop County Planning Department 
  • Landowner 
    •      		 Project Description:

    The floods of 1996 started extensive streambank deterioration on the Lower Necanicum. At the project site, the river is threatening to cut behind a reach of mature riparian vegetation. 

    The objective of the project is to stabilize the streambank and gently redirect river flow to allow the streambank to heal. Fencing will be constructed to exclude livestock from the healing and maturely vegetated streambanks
     
     Project Highlights
    • Use of rock barbs to redirect high flow away from erosion bank 
    • Fencing of riparian area 
    • Planting of willow, maple and spruce along erosion banks and riparian areas.
    • Placement of large wood for fish habitat.
         		  

    Progress:

    Rock Barbs

    In the late summer of 2001, two rock barbs were constructed along the eroding streambank to gently push the main current away from the bank. Natural Resource Conservation Service engineer Matt Rosener designed the rock barbs. Jim Wilkins Construction Company installed the specified barbs. U.S. Fish and Wildlife provided funding for this phase of the project and provided services to fulfill Federal requirements for the project.
     
     

     Installing a rock barb Summer 2001
    Results of rock barb installation during high water event
    Winter 2001 


       


       


     
     

    Tree and Shrub Planting

    In February 2002, a crew of volunteers from the community planted roughly 400 feet of riverbank to native shrub and tree species to begin the process of establishing a mature plant community. Planting supervision was provided by personnel of the Clatsop County Watershed Coordinating Council. Funding came from an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant.
     
     

     
    High school volunteers planting trees in protective tubes


    In early spring, more trees were planted in the riparian area downstream of the area pictured above. Again crews of volunteers from the Pacifica Project of Seaside High School and other community volunteers did the bulk of the work. Funding for supervision and planting materials came from an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant. Tree stock was also donated to the project by Willamette Industries.

     

      maltman planting 2006
    January 2006

    Four years later, the river bank begins to heal. Alders and Spruce populate the top of the bank and willows have sprouted along the face of the bank.


    Fencing

    In late spring, livestock exclusion fencing was installed along roughly 600 feet of riverfront leaving a riparian buffer of about 60 feet. The 4-wire smooth electric fence was designed to keep contain livestock but allow wildlife - deer and elk - to find their way through the fence without damage to themselves or the fence. The fence was constructed to National Fish and Wildlife Service standards.
     
     

    Livestock fencing with riparian area to the left
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Large Wood Placement

    In early September, 2002, a series of large tree root wads were placed on a gravel bench in the river at the head of the mature stand of trees along the river bank. The root wads will function as a sediment trap to build up the remaining unprotected eroding river bank and provide unsurpassed habitat for adult and juvenile fish. Funding for this phase of the project was provided by U.S. Fisn and WIldlife and the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation.
     

    Area before placement of root wads
     

    Placing root wads over base logs and secure them to buried ballast blocks
     

    Burying root wad ends to anchor them to the river bank
     

    Root wad placement finished and waiting for the first rains
     
     
     

     
    maltman 2008

      The same site in November 2008