Watershed Management Department
The Watershed Management Department (WMD) at Clean Water Services plans, manages and provides leadership in Water Resources Infrastructure, Strategic Watershed Assessment and Planning, Stream System Stewardship and Community Watershed Action.
The WMD supports and implements programs identified in the integrated watershed based permit. Department staff partner with local governments, natural resource agencies, businesses, nonprofits, local watershed groups and citizens to address the regulatory and ecological needs of the Tualatin River Basin.
Water Resources Infrastructure
Investing in natural capital infrastructure for watershed health.
WMD staff is working on behalf of local cities and districts to secure a long term water supply for the basin’s municipal, industrial, agricultural and environmental needs. WMD staff partner with water resource managers to explore opportunities to improve watershed health and enhance stream flows. In addition to our timed releases with the Hagg Lake facility, WMD is also working with farmers in Gales and McKay Creeks to enhance stream flows and support watershed health.
Regional Stream and Wetland Enhancements
We're working on a variety of projects, including aquatic habitat enhancement, riparian planting, wetland restoration and treatment facility upgrades across urban and rural areas of the Tualatin River Basin.
- Enhancing urban streams and wetlands is an investment that pays dividends in many ways. Learn more about watershed improvement projects.
- Clean Water Services partners with the agricultural community to meet regulatory obligations and mutual goals for watershed health. Learn about Enhanced CREP and VEGBACC (PDF, 2 MB) programs for rural landowners.
Energy and Resource Recovery
We are working on feasibility and analysis of renewable energy opportunities to reduce operating as well as escalating energy costs. We are also exploring options for resource recovery and renewable energy production such as solar energy, heat recovery and options for biosolid use.
Strategic Watershed Assessment & Planning
Utilizing scientific knowledge and innovation to improve watershed health for community benefit.
Healthy Streams Plan (2005)
This plan was developed by Clean Water Services and local jurisdictions to identify ecological needs of the Tualatin Basin. This plan provides strategic guidance to a variety of capital programs to protect, restore and manage watershed health. Utilizing existing regulatory frameworks, incorporating community needs, and providing value to Clean Water Services ratepayers are key elements of this watershed plan.
- Since 2005, this plan has served as the District's road map to community-based planting of native trees and shrubs, enhancing streams and wetlands, restoring flows, and retrofitting storm water outfalls and culverts.
- While the framework and strategies remain consistent, we continue to refine the plan with updated information as needed and broaden the approaches to meet new challenges.
- For more information, you can access the entire Healthy Streams Plan.
- Ecosystem Markets is an emerging way to ensure that money being spent on the environment is put in the places that matter most for clean air, clean water and natural places to play. Clean Water Services works closely with the Willamette Partnership moving towards an integrated ecosystems market. Gales Creek pilot project includes riparian planting, salmon habitat improvement and wetland restoration.
Stream Stewardship
Restoring ecological function with sustained action.
Riparian Planting, Monitoring and Maintenance
Healthy riparian and wetland vegetation are central to Clean Water Services' strategy for improved water quality and aquatic habitat. Riparian planting with native plant communities stabilize vulnerable stream banks, filter pollution, shade waterways and provide essential wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.
- See a map of riparian planting projects in the Tualatin Basin.
- The work doesn't end with planting native trees and shrubs. Most locations require active monitoring and maintenance to fully restore ecological functions of these sensitive habitats. Clean Water Services oversees a focused effort to maintain the gains and minimize emerging threats to our green infrastructure investments.
- Non-native invasive plants and animals are an emerging threat to native species. The District has multiple integrated programs especially targeted to prevent the spread of invasive plants that choke out native vegetation.
- Clean Water Services works with many organizations, including the 4-county Cooperative Weed Management Area, Tualatin Riverkeepers, City of Portland, Tualatin Soil and Water District and Tualatin River Watershed Council to combat the spread of invasive species in the Tualatin River Watershed. Report invasive species to the Tualatin Basin Invasive Species Working Group (TBISWG) at (503) 620-7507.
Community Watershed Action
Building capacity in our community to sustain our natural capital investments.
Getting Involved
Clean water and a healthy environment are central goals of the Watershed Management Department and required by the District's permits. Discover what you can do to protect water resources in your own neighborhood.
- Tree for All: Community Stream Planting Challenge is a partnership between the Cities within the Tualatin River Basin, Clean Water Services, SOLV, Friends of Trees, the Wetlands Conservancy, Raindrops to Refuge and community volunteers. Our goal is to plant 2 million trees in 20 years to improve watershed health and habitat. Check out where we are on this goal and where we are going.
- Doing a community project? Check out the Tualatin River Watershed Wagon & Tool Bank.
- Live along a stream? Read the Streamside Care Guide.
- Want technical help in your yard? The Clean Water Hero Program provides up to three hours of on-site technical assistance to help you create a sustainable stormwater landscape that will reduce polluted runoff from your property and maintain the health of our local waterways.
FAQs
Q: If you are concerned about beaver and/or nutria activity.
A: Please read the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Living with Wildlife document.
Q: What should I do in case of flooding?
A: Please refer to our Flood Facts page.
Q: Where can I learn more about stream revegetation plantings?
A: See our Stream and Wetland Enhancement Guide.
Q: I live along a stream, should I do anything to protect water quality?
A: Visit our webpage about stream-friendly yard care.
Q: Whose responsibility is blackberry and brush in the stream or on its banks?
A: Property owners are responsible for removing unwanted vegetation. If you have a large area or neighbors who are interested in removing invasive vegetation as well, there are opportunities to work with volunteer organizations, use the Watershed Wagon & Tool Bank, applying for a small grant and get native plants for replanting.
Q: Does Clean Water Services have information or recommendations on using herbicide near a stream?
A: Refer to our Integrated Pest Management Plan (PDF, 806KB) document.
Q: Who do I report illegal dumping in a stream to?
A: Call Washington County Solid Waste at (503) 846-8609.
Q: What is the Enhanced CREP & VEGBACC program?
A: Read the Enhanced CREP and VEGBACC (PDF, 2MB) brochure.
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