Clackamas Water Environment Services is beginning a project to improve the environmental functions of 3-Creeks Protected Area.
Three creeks — Mt. Scott, Phillips and Dean Creeks — converge on the site to form Mt. Scott Creek, making it an important location for surface and stormwater management and natural habitat. Mt. Scott Creek flows into Kellogg Creek and then to the Willamette River.
Urbanization is taking a toll on the site, with streams eroding, habitat changing and flooding of developed properties becoming more common. This project will enhance the floodplain, improve water quality, improve fish and wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for pedestrian access and environmental education on the site, where feasible.
3-CreeksProtected Area benefits our entire region.
What’s new (Updated July 2025)
- Bidding is complete and WES has hired a contractor, Suulutaaq, Inc., to construct the restoration project.
- Walking tours and all other public use of the site have ended. No public access is allowed during construction for safety.
- Signs have been posted and flyers distributed to warn people that the site is closed during construction.
- Stakeholders and adjacent property owners have been notified of the construction schedule.
- Contractor is currently conducting survey staking to site an access route that will disturb the least amount of trees.
- Our archaeological consultant has provided training about what to do in case of Inadvertent Discovery of cultural artifacts or features.
- Contractor will be submitting a Safety Plan, Temporary Water Management Plan, and other documents for WES review. Once those are approved, construction work may begin.
- The first activity will be constructing an access road, which will include tree removals in order to allow access to the work areas. This work is expected to begin the week of August 4.
What we’ve completed so far
- Received final permits
- Project is open for bids, due April 29
- North Clackamas Watersheds Council and Unite Oregon continue to schedule walking tours, including a birdwatching tour for the community
- Currently developing materials to make people aware of our schedule and warn about the danger of accessing the site during construction.
- Developed 100% plans, specifications and cost estimate
- Received approval from Oregon Dept. of State Lands (DSL), Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife-Fish (ODFW) Passage Coordinator
- Partner North Clackamas Watersheds Council has completed online meetings and site tours with Unite Oregon and community members
- On-site surveys, site assessment
- Alternatives development and analysis, including Hydraulic & Hydrologic modeling
- Public outreach, stakeholder meetings, and input
- Collaborating with Oregon Dept. of State Lands (DSL), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), National Marine Fisheries Service and Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife-Fish (ODFW) Passage Coordinator.
- We were selected for a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant and have a grant agreement in place.
- Developed 90% plans and cost estimate
- Completed a Cultural Resources Assessment and shovel probe survey, and historic evaluation of the existing bridge. The shovel probe surveys turned up 16 pieces of lithic debris, considered pre-contact fragments leftover from tool-making. The bridge was determined not eligible for listing in the National Register.
- Partnering with the North Clackamas Watersheds Council (NCWC) to provide outreach, as part of our Metro Nature in Neighborhoods grant. NCWC is teaming with Unite Oregon to include outreach to underserved communities.
- The Wetlands Conservancy has conducted the first of two volunteer amphibian egg mass surveys. The survey found over 200 Pacific chorus frog egg masses, 24 long-toed salamander egg masses, and one red-legged frog egg mass. This is a sign of very good habitat quality in the existing wetlands!
- The Wetlands Conservancy has conducted the first of two volunteer amphibian egg mass surveys. The survey found over 200 Pacific chorus frog egg masses, 24 long-toed salamander egg masses, and one red-legged frog egg mass. This is a sign of very good habitat quality in the existing wetlands!
What’s next?
- Instream work summer 2025
- Planting fall-winter 2025-26
News about the 3-Creeks Protected Area Floodplain Enhancement Project
SOLVE, Clackamas Water Environment Services, & Bob's Red Mill partnered to celebrate the kick-off of the SOLVE Summer Waterway Cleanup Series to remove harmful litter from the 3-Creeks Protected Area, helping to keep our streams, rivers, and communities clean and healthy!