The second phase of the Willow Springs Preserve stream restoration has wrapped up! Crews were on site this summer building the natural structures that are being used in the restoration. Here is what they accomplished:
- Constructed a total of 156 log-based structures in the stream. These were built using 550 whole trees collected during local fuels-reduction projects. Compared to the first phase of restoration, these larger, greener trees will help create stronger structures to withstand higher water flows.
- Built structures to shift water flow. Some structures were built near the bank and extend into the flow of water. They will help shift the flow of the creek in certain directions.
- Built structures to slow water flow. Some structures were built in the middle of the creek and look like log jams or piles of branches. They will help slow flows, collect sediment, and promote complexity and side-to-side movement that the creek would naturally have over time.
- Placed whole trees in the stream. Crews placed whole trees intermixed and upstream of structures to help slow flows, collect sediment, promote side-to-side movement, and create larger debris jams. Learn more about the importance of wood in streams.
- Built one beaver dam-like structure. These help imitate beaver dams, creating pools, and helping connect Whychus Creek to the surrounding meadow.
What’s next? We watch and wait and let Whychus Creek do the work! The goal of this kind of low tech restoration is to let the creek and its natural processes lead. Over time, with the addition of high flows, the log structures throughout the restoration will jumpstart these processes which will change the creek. Eventually the creek will transform from a human-manipulated single channel into a more natural braided series of channels that spread out across the valley floor. Crews will return in several years to complete phase three and fine tune and build more structures as the creek changes over time.
Huge thanks to our restoration partners at the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and Anabranch Solutions for persevering on construction during a very hot and smoky July!
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