Juvenile Chinook salmon are one of the Trustee Council's focal species for habitat restoration planning in and around Portland Harbor.  We chose to focus on salmon because we believe they have been injured by the long-term contamination in Portland Harbor, and because restoring habitat for salmon will also address the needs of our other species of concern, such as lamprey, osprey, and mink.

So what makes the best salmon habitat in the Lower Willamette River?

• Cold, clean water. Salmon need cold, clean water at every stage of their life. Warm water, too much silt, and chemicals can impair salmon's ability to survive and successfully reproduce. Cold, clean water is similarly important for many other types of fish and wildlife.


• Off-channel areas. Off-channel habitats are aquatic areas off of the main Willamette River where fish can rest in slower moving water.  Examples of off-channel areas in Portland Harbor include sloughs, coves, lagoons, and the places where creeks flow into the Willamette River. Off-channel areas also provide critical foraging habitat for mink, migratory birds, and other types of fish and wildlife.


• Shallow water. Shallow water habitat extends from the river's edge to a depth of about 15 feet below the water's surface.  The exact location of shallow water habitat moves slightly with the river's flows and tides.  Shallow water habitat is also an important place for bald eagles to forage.


• The river's edge. The area where the river meets the land is especially important for salmon. As they migrate, young salmon follow the river's edge to escape high velocity water in the middle of the river.  The river's edge is also important habitat for mink, which hide under vegetation and search for prey. The river's edge is best when it includes features like an undulating shoreline, naturally occurring rocks, wood, and native plants.


• Native riparian habitat. The land and plants closest to the river play an important role in providing good habitat for fish and other creatures.  Riparian habitat contributes to water quality by reducing erosion, regulating nutrients, removing contaminants, and storing water. Native plants benefit many types of fish and wildlife by providing food and protection from predators. They also provide perching opportunities for birds.

These types of habitats currently exist in the Portland Harbor area, though to a lesser degree than in the past.  While development, not contamination, caused the decline of most of these features, the cleanup and natural resource damage assessment efforts at the Portland Harbor Superfund site provide an exciting opportunity for restoring these habitats to compensate the public for the injuries caused to fish and wildlife by the contamination.

You can learn more about the Trustee Council's restoration planning efforts on our website.