NEW Ash Creek Restoration and Community Engagement Efforts!Ash Creek has seen many changes over the years, yet it still holds a special place in our local landscape. Though its course has been shaped by humans, this waterway and its surrounding floodplain continue to play vital ecological roles. From storing floodwaters to providing essential habitats for fish and wildlife, Ash Creek remains a lifeline in our natural environment. The Luckiamute Watershed Council is working closely with the cities of Monmouth, Independence, Dallas and Falls City, along with local landowners, agencies and community partners, to restore the health of this treasured tributary to the Willamette River. Together, we are improving water quality, restoring streamside areas with native plants, and addressing invasive species. These efforts go beyond planting and habitat restoration—they are fostering a sense of shared stewardship among neighbors and organizations. By uniting communities in these efforts, we are ensuring that the health and vitality of Ash Creek are preserved for generations to come.
Click on the brochure image to the right to learn more about this partnership!
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January 25, 2025: LWC works with the City of Monmouth and other community partners to plant and protect trees along Ash Creek
Planting site shown in dark orange above.
On a chilly Saturday morning in January, a group of 23 community members convened on an Ash Creek restoration site near the Monmouth Public Works treatment lagoons to plant trees and shrubs, and protect them from hungry deer.
That day, 200 native plants were added to the riparian (streamside) area and protected with chicken wire cages. Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers, these trees will grow to provide enhanced shade for Ash Creek, better habitat for local wildlife, and sequester an additional 10,000 pounds (5 tons) of carbon every year! |
Want to get involved in this effort?
Click here to join our volunteer email list! |
Learn more about local city efforts to reduce stormwater impacts by clicking on the buttons below:
Click on image to view larger map
Ash Creek is a perennial tributary to the Willamette flowing through the cities of Monmouth and Independence. Although Ash Creek has been significantly altered over the years, this waterway and its floodplain continue to provide important ecological functions such as floodwater storage and fish and wildlife habitat. Running through the heart of Independence, it also provides recreational and educational opportunities. In 2013, the LWC was awarded a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to restore the ecological health of Ash Creek. Since then, additional funders include Pacific Power Blue Sky Habitat Funds/The Freshwater Trust, The Reser Family Foundation, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club. In partnership with the City of Independence, the City of Monmouth, Central School District 13J, and the Ash Creek Water Control District the LWC is working with local landowners to remove invasive species that have taken over much of the riparian area, and replant streamside areas with native vegetation. There are two sections of the project -- "Revegetation Reach" and "Stewardship Reach" -- which each have different restoration goals. Work on the Revegetation Reach will consist of invasive weed control and revegetation and the Stewardship Reach will be managed to control priority invasive species. Click here to see a detailed map of the Ash Creek Restoration Project area. Find out how you can contribute to the Ash Creek Restoration Project by contacting us here.
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The Revegetation Reach (1.4 miles) stretches from Monmouth Public Works at Hogan Road to Wildfang Park, with an additional section at Riverview Park in Independence. The stream bank along this section of Ash Creek has been significantly degraded, with many areas having almost no native vegetation. Along this section of the creek, we will be both controlling invasive species and planting native trees and shrubs within the riparian zone. Streamside trees and vegetation are important because they provide natural protection against flood damage and bank erosion, trap sediment that would otherwise wash into the waterway, and provide important shade.
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Revegetation Reach section of Ash Creek
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Stewardship Reach section of Ash Creek
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The Stewardship Reach (1.4 miles) extends from Wildfang Park in Independence to Riverview Park, and has been identified as a portion of Ash Creek that has a fairly healthy vegetated riparian area. Along this stretch of the creek, we will be focusing our efforts on removing high-priority invasive weeds within the riparian area. Some of the invasive species identified along Ash Creek are English ivy, holly, scotch broom, poison hemlock, and vinca. If you suspect that you may have one or more of these species on your property, don't hesitate to give us a call at 503-837-0237 or email us at [email protected] to find out how to remove these invasive plants and learn about some excellent native plant varieties to replace them.
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