Clean Water Services implemented a voluntary stream enhancement project to improve the local conditions of Fanno Creek between Scholls Ferry Road and North Dakota Street in the City of Tigard at Englewood Park. 

The Fanno Creek at Englewood Park Enhancement Project was designed to provide numerous interrelated benefits including improved fish and wildlife habitat, wetland functionality, stream/floodplain connectivity, and riparian forest cover. The project will restore channel meanders in two previously straightened segments. Woody debris will be reintroduced into the stream to create pools for fish and to prevent further channel incision. Streambank and floodplain excavations will promote more frequent inundation of the floodplain and provide flood refugia for fish. The areas of excavation are primarily reed canarygrass (a non-native invasive species) wetlands and will be replanted with native species to increase plant diversity.  

Aerial photos from 1936 and 1963 indicate agricultural land use.  The stream meandered significantly, but these meanders were likely filled to accommodate farming. Prior to such disturbance, vegetation at the site likely included a predominance of Garry Oak, Oregon ash and willows along with thicket forming species such as Nootka rose and snowberry. Wet meadow and emergent marsh areas likely supported numerous grass, forb, sedge and rush species.

The Fanno Creek watershed contains approximately 20,500 acres. The 15 mile mainstem generally flows south to the Tualatin River, originating from the headwater streams of the Tualatin Mountain Range. There are approximately 117 miles of stream in the Fanno Creek Watershed. The enhancement project is located in the middle third of the watershed, which is characterized by residential and light commercial development. 

Schedule and budget

Construction will be completed during the summer of 2006 to take advantage of the low stream flows and dry working conditions on the floodplain and to comply with the in-stream work window set by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The in-stream work window is also the time of least likelihood of interaction with species listed under the Endangered Species Act such as winter Steelhead. Extensive invasive species removal and re-vegetation of the site will follow the construction period. The plant materials chosen for the site are consistent with its historical vegetation. The total estimated cost for the project is $250,000.

Contact information

Peter Guillozet, Water Resources Project Coordination,
(503) 681-4470 or guillozetp@cleanwaterservices.org

Kendra Smith, Water Resources Program Manager,
(503) 681-4425 or smithk@cleanwaterservices.org