In 2015, we launched a 10-year ACTION PLAN to guide our efforts. Our work prioritizes addressing those factors that most limit the populations and habitat quality of fish and wildlife. In particular, we focus on lowering stream temperature , enhancing physical habitat, and opening habitat in colder streams that is currently blocked by culverts and dams.
Our upland restoration projects focus on capturing stormwater at its source, so it soaks into and is treated by the soil. In this way, trash and other pollutants are intercepted before entering the creek. These projects include constructing rain gardens and mapping stormwater collection pipes that outfall into the watershed.
In the Pacific northwest, most native fish–especially salmon–need cool, clear water to thrive. Planting streambanks with a mix of native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers provides needed shade, prevents erosion, and creates a host of other benefits for fish and wildlife who depend on Johnson Creek.
Both public and private landowners can benefit from partnering with us on riparian restoration projects.
In-stream projects consist of two types of projects: fish passage and habitat enhancement. Fish passage projects focus on opening more habitat for salmon and lamprey through the removal of barriers such as dams and culverts. Habitat enhancement projects focus on improving habitat in the stream through various actions such as installing large wood in the stream banks and opening floodplains.
JCWC and the Clackamas Partnership were awarded a $3.8 million NOAA-IIJA grant in 2023 to fund 10 habitat enhancement and fish passage projects.
Have a different question about the management of Johnson Creek?
Johnson Creek Watershed Council, along with other area watershed councils, government agencies, tribes, and organizations concerned about healthy watersheds developed a Strategic Restoration Action Plan to guide voluntary restoration activities and improve stream habitat, water quality, and native fish populations.
The Strategic Restoration Action Plan focuses on salmon and steelhead populations that are listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act, as well as anadromous Pacific lamprey and resident Clackamas River Basin bull trout populations.
