The Willow Creek Pond Enhancement Project is located between the intersection of Baseline and 185th Avenue and Willow Creek’s confluence with Beaverton Creek.
The purpose of the Willow Creek Pond enhancement project is to address poor water quality and a fish passage obstruction. Due to an aging, unstable dam and the resulting sedimentation in the pond, the streamflow was spread over a shallow, largely unshaded area. This resulted in high water temperatures downstream. An abnormally large waterfowl population due to feeding also contributed to poor water quality. The dam also hindered fish passage through the site.
The enhancement project involved the removal of the in-stream pond on Willow Creek, while also addressing the desire of residents to retain a portion of the existing open water. The result was a new, free-flowing stream channel largely separated from a smaller pond. The project also removed invasive plants including Himalayan blackberry and English Ivy. Revegetation with native trees and shrubs will shade the newly created stream channel, enhancing water quality and fish habitat.
Schedule and budget
An RFP for design and engineering was released in September 2003. The project design was submitted for permits in January 2004. Construction took place during August and September 2005. Planting began this fall 2005 and will continue through March of 2006. The final project cost is projected to be $124,000.
Contact information
Peter Guillozet, Water Resources Project Coordinator,
(503) 681-4470 or guillozetp@cleanwaterservices.org
Kendra Smith, Water Resources Program Manager,
(503) 681-4425 or smithk@cleanwaterservices.org