Harkens Lake is a relict channel of the Willamette River that has been modified by two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revetments, multiple low water crossings, and agricultural land uses.  Under current conditions, Harkens Lake is backwatered by the Willamette River during winter and spring flows.  As the system no longer experiences sufficient flow-through due to the upstream disconnection from the Willamette River, sedimentation and vegetation encroachment have degraded habitat for native species including juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Interest in the Harkens Lake property grew out of the 2002 publication of the Willamette River Basin Planning Atlas, where it was featured as the quintessential restoration opportunity.  The large tracts of in-tact native floodplain forest, adjacent public ownership, and willing landowners combined to make Harkens Lake a frontrunner in the Focal Area Ranking Criteria.  In partnership with OWEB and BPA, Greenbelt was able to acquire an easement on 370 acres of Harkens Lake in 2011.  The shared vision for this property by all partners has always been to reconnect the floodplain depression, the oxbow, and the main river channel by breaching barriers and increasing flow.  These actions would reduce the severity of downstream flooding by allowing more floodwater to be stored and gradually released.  The primary goals of this WSIP proposal are to increase river channel complexity, flood water storage, and floodplain forest expansion.  We anticipate these actions will greatly improve conditions for native fish populations, such as spring Chinook, as well as a multitude of other Strategy species (Oregon vesper sparrow, western pond turtle, red-legged frog, etc.).

Greenbelt Land Trust is implementing a phased approach to restoration at the Harkens Lake property.  The primary goals of this project are to increase river channel complexity, flood water storage, and overwintering habitat for Chinook Salmon.  BPA funds will be used to complete restoration actions outlined in the Inundation and Restoration Alternatives Analysis completed by River Design Group in 2013.  Specifically, Greenbelt will re-open a 2.5 mile side channel to the Willamette River and reconnect 600 acres of floodplain with the mainstem Willamette.  In order to accomplish this goal we propose to remove an outdated water control structure, remove a crossing, install a channel outlet structure, perform floodplain grading, and seed disturbed soils .  To assist in these work elements we will contract with an engineering firm to conduct topographic surveys, create engineering designs, and model the water surface elevation changes associated with these actions.