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Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is launching a project in the Rose Creek Trail natural area to improve water quality, stabilize the stream channel, restore habitat, and enhance community amenities.
In the Sunnyside Village neighborhood of Clackamas County, Rose Creek flows through the natural area owned by WES, then into Sieben Creek and eventually to the Clackamas River. The natural area is bound to the east by SE 152nd Drive, to the south by the Frontier Estates neighborhood, to the west by Sieben Park, to the northeast by Oregon Trail Elementary School, and to the northwest by commercial properties on SE Hines Drive.
Increased stormwater runoff from surrounding development has degraded and eroded Rose Creek over time. This erosion has created steep, unstable streambanks, impacted wildlife habitat, and now threatens trail infrastructure. Stabilizing and restoring the stream and improving stormwater management will prevent further stream channel degradation, reduce downstream flooding, and improve habitat and water quality. Currently, some stormwater storage pipes in the project area sit in private backyards, making maintenance challenging for WES. Redesigning stormwater systems will remove the need for these pipes, supporting long-term sustainability and easier maintenance access. WES is also exploring opportunities for trails, education, and interpretive features, since the natural area attracts pedestrians and has hosted collaborations between Oregon Trail Elementary School, Friends of Trees, and North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District.
Existing conditions including project boundaries, contours, tax lots, trails, the bridge, stream, wetland, and storm pipe. Image also shows the trail reroute, stormwater reroute, stormwater treatment, detention area, and stream stabilization.
WES identified this project in the Storm System Master Plan (SSMP) in 2022, which prioritized stormwater system improvements and stream restoration for Rose Creek. The project is currently at the beginning of the design process, which includes site investigation, conceptual planning, development of alternative concepts, and selection of a preferred design concept. Following existing condition surveys of the stream, wetland, trees, and vegetation this spring, the project is entering the preliminary design phase this summer.
The current conceptual design phase of work will conclude by the end of 2026. Future phases would begin soon after and include full design, permitting, and construction of the proposed improvements.
