CREST Habitat Restoration Program

The goal of the Habitat Restoration Program is to develop projects in the Columbia River estuary that re-establish tidal estuarine processes aimed at re-connecting historic estuarine and floodplain habitat types. In so doing, the function of these habitats is improved benefiting a diversity of estuarine-dependent species including endangered salmonids. The CREST Habitat Restoration Program involves a variety of tidal re-connection projects such as full or partial dike removal or improvement of an existing connection, as well as tide gate replacements. 

Linked to the habitat restoration program is a burgeoning monitoring program that attempts to prove restoration of tidal wetland habitat that will produce broader ecological benefits to the entire community of resident and anadromous fish, as well as wetland dependent wildlife.  To measure the effectiveness of these projects, CREST has evaluated several restoration projects through physical, chemical and biological monitoring efforts. (Click here for more information on the CREST Research and Monitoring Program)

CREST is currently involved in the planning, design, and implementation of the following restoration projects (see map):

• Fort Clatsop
• Sharnelle Fee
• Fort Columbia
• Skamokawa Creek
• Big Creek
• Gorley Springs

Examples of completed restoration projects include:

• Lewis and Clark Dike Breach Phase I & II
• Vera Slough
• Blind Slough
• Hanson Slough
• Green Slough

For more information contact Amy Ammer, Habitat Restoration Specialist