In this issue:
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Nutter Corporation busy with site excavation
Be safe: Obey the signs
Eagle Scouts build information kiosk
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Did you know?
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Critters
of all kinds love Powell Butte Nature Park too.
Abundant wildlife populates the
park, including rabbits, Western Meadowlarks (pictured above), ground squirrels, raccoons,
gray foxes, skunks, bats, chipmunks, coyotes, and black-tailed mule deer.
The
park is home to many birds of prey with its open meadows, groves of wild
hawthorn trees, forested slopes of Western red cedar, and wetlands near Johnson
Creek.
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Read past issues
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Visit our archives to read past issues of WaterWorks.
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Excavation work proceeds at a
steady pace
Since
the excavation of the second reservoir site began on December 9, 2009, the
contractor - Nutter Corporation - has removed more than 64,000 cubic yards of soil, roughly 83,400 tons. As of January 19, 2010, Portland Water Bureau
inspectors report that there have been more than 3,760 truck trips, and a daily
average of 274 trips. The haulers are making the three-mile trek to Knife River
Quarry at SE 190th Avenue and SE Division Street nearly every four minutes.
The
Water Bureau is pleased that a nearby business was available to accept the soil
excavated from the butte. Not only is a local business supported, but the
short trip means fewer miles traveled and reduced vehicle emissions.
While
the digging and hauling in rainy weather conditions is a challenge, Nutter
crews are performing well. On days of heavy or freezing rain, Nutter will suspend
reservoir excavation work but continue on other project tasks, such as
maintaining the haul roads and working on erosion and stormwater control
measures.
"Construction during the winter months is tough, but
Water Bureau staff and the excavation crews are getting the job done,"
said Michelle Lostra, construction manager and senior engineer overseeing the
excavation phase.
The Water Bureau and Nutter Corp. are also keeping their commitment to the neighborhood to keep city streets clean by using a powerful wheel wash on the trucks.
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Be safe: please obey the signs
Powell Butte Nature Park remains open to the public, and safety for both park users and workers during the construction remains a top priority for the Portland Water Bureau and Portland Parks & Recreation. Park users are reminded to stay on designated park trails. Signs have placed along the construction zone perimeter and on the trail/truck intersections to alert hikers, bike riders and equestrians to approach the truck crossing with caution. A few park users have put themselves at risk by wandering near or into the construction zone for a closer look at construction activities. Please stay away from the construction zone. Instead, take advantage of a new viewing station with an informational kiosk that has been built near the "Montain Finder" feature.
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Eagle Scouts build kiosk for bird's-eye view of site
The Portland Water Bureau project team had an idea to
place an informational kiosk at a viewing location so park users could - from a
safe distance - see and learn about what construction work was underway.
Eagle
Scout Matthew Kienberger volunteered to take on the project. Matthew drew up a
design, and with the help of members from Troop 351, built the structure in his
backyard.
On a cold fogging morning on December 19, with assistance
from several parents, the troop placed the 6-foot by 4-foot high kiosk into the
ground. The Water Bureau will update the kiosk with news and information
monthly.
"Matthew showed remarkable skills in project
management to get the kiosk designed, choose materials, plan a schedule and
budget, and gain the Water Bureau's approval," said Tim Hall, Senior
Public Outreach Coordinator. "This kiosk will be another helpful tool in
keeping the public up-to-date on the progress and activities of the reservoir
project."
The new kiosk is about 30 feet away from another Eagle Scout project built years ago - the popular Mountain Finder, just off the Mountain View Trail. From this location you can see five mountains - Mt. Hood, St. Helens, Bachelor, Jefferson and Adams - as well as several buttes.
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