In the past, we thought it was a good idea to clean up the log jams that “choked up” steam channels. As a matter of fact, Oregon used to have employees whose primary role was dynamiting log jams in rivers. Today, things have changed. We now understand that pulling logs and other wood out of…
Read more
Anyone who owns or manages land in the north Santiam Watershed already knows how totally obnoxious some plants can be. I mean, they just don’t get it, do they? You keep pulling, or digging or spraying and like a bad penny they just keep turning up. Sometimes it seems almost hopeless. Noxious weeds are obnoxious,…
Read more
Whether you’re a local landowner or part of a citizens’ group, the North Santiam Watershed Council can act on your behalf and work with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) to get funding and support for your on-the-ground habitat restoration project. How much support? Well, if your conservation project is to protect, restore or improve…
Read more
The waters of the North Santiam begin their journey on the snowy slopes of Mount Jefferson. Nearly ninety miles later they join the South Santiam. Along its journey the river flows past forest and farm, field and city. Its flow is interrupted by high wall dams and and diverted for irrigation, municipal use and even…
Read more
When we talk about a watershed on these pages, we’re referring to the land area drained by a river or stream. So a “watershed” can be the huge land area drained by the Columbia River or the area drained by the Willamette River. A watershed can be the 766 square miles drained by the North…
Read more
The North Santiam Watershed Council, in partnership with South Santiam and Calapooia Watershed Councils, is soliciting qualifications for a Regional Landowner Recruitment Services Contract. The purpose of the Regional Landowner Recruitment Services Contract is to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the Watershed Councils and Meyer Memorial Trust’s (MMT) Willamette Model Watershed Program in…
Read more
River flows rates are excellent right now, currently around 2,500 cfs at Mehama on the North Fork. Large numbers of fish are moving into the North Santiam River. The number of summer steelhead passing above Willamette Falls on the Willamette stood at 19,132, on June 19. Based on video monitoring at Bennett dam near Stayton,…
Read more
Restoration and conservation efforts along the Valentine Creek tributary to the North Santiam River are part of a larger regional initiative to improve watershed health. Valentine Creek Fast Facts Area: 21.8 square miles Stream Miles: 5.3 miles Elevation (ft): 479-2562 Land Use: Forested- 36.8%, Agriculture- 18.3%, Urban- 4.3%, Rural/Non-Forest- 32.2% Fish Habitat Type & Stream Miles Chinook- 1.9…
Read more
Restoration and conservation efforts along the Bear Branch tributary to the North Santiam River are part of a larger regional initiative to improve watershed health. Watershed Quick Facts 1. How large is the area of land that drains into Bear Branch Creek? 13 square miles 2. How long is Bear Branch Creek? 10 miles 3.…
Read more
If you’ve ever driven through the Santiam Canyon, you’ve probably seen Stout Creek. It runs pretty close to State Highway 22 for a couple of miles before it joins the North Santiam near Mehama. On the other hand, you might have missed it. It isn’t very big, the entire watershed is about eleven and a…
Read more
The decade of the 1930’s was an era of large government building projects. Many undertaken to counter the economic hardships of the Great Depression. The 1930’s also saw the population and industrial development in the North Santiam Canyon finally reach levels that would economically justify a flood control project. So the Detroit Dam complex, which includes…
Read more
Fish are moving into the Willamette River at the moment. ODFW reported the number of winter and summer steelhead passing above Willamette Falls at 7,556 and 11,261 respectively, as of May 29. Based on their video monitoring at Bennett dam near Stayton, several hundred summer steelhead have moved into the North Santiam River. Spring chinook…
Read more
