During the Summer of 2004, the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) implemented two culvert replacements and over one half mile of riparian enhancements. Located on Smith Creek, a tributary of the Nestucca River on Oregon's northern coast, the two new culverts restored access to 1.5 miles of native salmon spawning and rearing habitat in the Siuslaw National Forest, restored sediment routing processes throughout Smith's lower reaches, and dramatically decreased non-point source bacterial loads entering the creek.

Private Culvert

The first culvert is located 0.5 miles upstream from the mouth of Smith Creek and serves as a cattle crossing to a dairy pasture. It was undersized and completely plugged with sediment, which forced water to run over the crossing, flood the adjacent pastures, and increase bacteria loading to the creek. This culvert was replaced with a larger pipe arch culvert that simulates natural stream conditions, thereby restoring fish passage and reducing bacteria loading.

Before

After

Gist Road Culvert

Just upstream from the private culvert at stream mile 0.6, the Gist Road culvert lies under a Tillamook County road. Like the private culvert, it was undersized, but also had a slope of 4% and a vertical drop of 3.5'. These conditions completely restricted fish passage. This culvert was also replaced with a larger pipe arch culvert that restored fish passage.

Before

After

Riparian Enhancements

From the mouth of Smith Creek, upstream to the Gist Road culvert, the riparian zone was dominated by reed canary grass. Over one half mile of native trees and shrubs were planted throughout this reach. Fencing setbacks were increased on existing fencing near the mouth.

This project was undertaken as part of a broad watershed restoration effort involving 17 partners, thereby ensuring that the entire length of Smith Creek--from the lowland pastures into the Siuslaw National Forest--provides quality fish and wildlife habitat.