Ever wonder how many and what kind of fish are in your stream? Well, this summer the fish in tributaries to the Molalla River will swish their little tailfins and be counted!
Molalla River Watch has arranged for an inventory of the juvenile salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout in Gribble, Dove and Creamery Creek; Milk Creek from the Molalla confluence to the Elwood area; and the Milk Creek tributaries of Buckner, Cedar, Little Cedar, Woodcock, Hancock, Nate, Canyon, Jackson, Mill, Bee, and Bittner creeks. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) will provide funding for the survey.
A biologist in a blue dry suit and snorkel gear will be wading up the streams to count juvenile fish in every fifth pool. The information gained from this survey will help prioritize projects on the streams for fish habitat improvement. Possible projects would include improving culverts for fish passage, planting streamside trees for shade/habitat and fencing to keep livestock out of the stream.
How can you help? If you live along one of these streams, contact Molalla River Watch to give the surveyor permission for access. If you have any questions, want to learn more about the survey or wish to deny access for this inventory, please contact Kay from Molalla River Watch at 503-824-2195 or send her a message at riverwatch@molalla.net.