The Ladd Creek-Highway 203 Bridge Replacement Project is the final phase of the Ladd Creek/LMWA Channel Restoration and Wetland Enhancement Project (GRMW ID 1766).  The overall project objectives are:

•   Replace channelized and incised reaches of the various forks of Ladd Creek with natural meandering channels with accessible floodplain habitats.
•   Remove undersized culverts that restricted fish passage.
•   Increase both quantity and quality of rearing habitat for anadromous and resident salmonids.
•   Promote natural, stable stream channels and in-stream habitat diversity.
•   Improve water quality (sediment, nutrient exchange, water temperatures, flow).
•   Increase groundwater storage and recharge.
•   Restore former wetland habitats for riparian and wetland dependent species.

Replacement and relocation of the Ladd Creek-Highway 203 Bridge and connection of the 6,600 feet of new channels built in 2009-2010 are actions that will assist in accomplishing these objectives.

Project construction is planned for summer 2013.  The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will be responsible for soliciting construction bids, selecting a subcontractor, and inspecting the construction subcontract.  The CTUIR will participate as the project sponsor and administer project construction funds from the GRMW and OWEB.  The CTUIR and ODOT will cooperate and administer construction funds through an inter-governmental agreement.

Benefits

Replacement and relocation of the existing Ladd Creek-Highway 203 culvert will complete the Ladd Creek Channel Relocation and Wetland Restoration Project (GRMW ID 1766).  Project benefits of improving passage and summer and winter rearing habitat for ESA listed Snake River Summer Steelhead and Spring/Chinook Salmon are realized upon completion of project objectives.  The net effect of realigning the channelized portions into natural meandering stream channels will have resulted in a gain of 10,249 ft. of stream length, and an overall increase in sinuosity from 1.16 to 1.80. The amount of floodplains and wetlands activated by the project are conservatively estimated at 175 acres. Salmonid and non-game native species will benefit from the increase in diversity of channel habitat, installation of LWD, and reestablishment of native riparian vegetation.  Potentially, water quality over the long term may improve for salmonids as summer maximum water temperatures decrease as well as daily diurnal temperature fluctuations decreases.

With the project being located in and encompassing 680 acres of LMWA many wildlife species will benefit. Examples include the use of the LMWA by elk, deer and pronghorn antelope as winter range and multitude of both resident and migratory waterfowl and shore birds.

In addition to the benefits for fish and wildlife, the replacement of the undersized and out-dated culvert will allow for better hydraulic connectivity potentially reducing backwater effects as well as suppress the peak flow impacts as activation of floodplains and wetlands act as storage reservoirs.  During years of high flows this may decrease the potential flooding effects on infrastructure and surrounding private lands.