Tours

We have lined up some great science tours for your continued learning. Sign up as soon as possible, as some of these tours have limited capacity.

All tours are scheduled for Friday, August 21st.

NOTE:  Registration for Tours is now closed. Contact Tom Wolf with any questions: 503-883-1102; [email protected]
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White Salmon River Dam Removal and Yakama Nation Tribal Fishery on the Klickitat River
Location: South-central Washington State on the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers, tributaries to the Columbia River

Travel to Klickitat River to observe tribal dip net fishery and meet with tribal elders and fishers.  Tribal elders will provide history of fishery and cultural importance of the area.  Tribal biologists will provide overview of Klickitat Basin fisheries and habitat restoration activities. Tour the new state-of-the-art Lyle Falls Fishway and Monitoring Facility and watch fish work-up.

Travel to the White Salmon Basin and tour the former Condit Dam and reservoir site.  Condit Dam is the 2nd largest dam removal project in the nation (2011/12).  Tribal elders and biologists will describe the tribal history on the landscape and fisheries management actions that led to the dam decommissioning and removal.  Tour the restoration efforts underway at the former reservoir site.  Conclude with an overview of the Underwood In-Lieu site impacted with sediments delivered from the dam removal and restoration activities underway.

Tour Timing: Depart 8:00 am, back at 4:00 pm.
Cost: $50
Lunch: Box lunch provided

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Urban Stream Restoration – Johnson Creek and Crystal Springs

With 16 ESA listed fish species Portland didn’t give up, in fact, it went all in on recovery. This tour will highlight two advanced recovery and resilience strategies.

First, a complete headwater to mouth fish passage restoration.  The projects will highlight translating best available science into project design, leveraging funds, and unique construction strategies.  Five years, 9 culverts, and 3 major restoration projects later, coho are spawning in Crystal Springs Creek.

Next, we’ll look at two examples of restoring natural floodplain function.  One, called for because of an exposed 60-inch concrete pipe and another a nearly 20-year effort to remove 60 structures (homes and businesses) out of the flood zone, pulling back a channelized, rock-lined stream (Works Progress Administration, circa 1930s), increasing fish and wildlife habitat, and creating 140 acre feet of flood storage in an urban setting.

The tour will start by visiting multiple sites along the highly urbanized Crystal Springs Creek and end at the Foster Floodplain Natural Area.

Tour timing: Depart 8:30 am, back around 3:00 pm
Cost $50
Lunch: Box lunch provided