Lower Sandy River – Oregon Conservation Strategy

This area is comprised of the 1,500-acre Sandy River Delta at the confluence of the Sandy and Columbia Rivers, plus the Lower Sandy River and its tributaries, including Beaver Creek and the lower reaches of the Bull Run River. Located east of the Portland Metro area in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

COA ID: 057

Recommended Conservation Actions

Breach, lower, and remove dikes and levees to improve connectivity.
Improve water quality by identifying sources of and reducing sedimentation and by implementing stormwater management plans for urban areas and roads.
Maintain / restore natural hydrology and complex habitat for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species.
Maintain and improve aquatic and upland habitats for native turtle population - provide still-water habitat , nesting habitat and basking structures.
Maintain and improve aquatic and upland habitats for red-legged frog population - provide still-water habitat, improve egg-mass attachment sites.
Maintain, improve, and expand Oregon white oak habitat.
Manage public access and recreation, including off-leash dogs, to minimize conflict with habitat restoration goals.
Protect instream water rights.
Protect remaining high-quality off-channel from degradation and improve habitat complexity.
Restore or create off-channel habitat and/or access to off-channel habitat.
Restore wetland, wet prairie, and riparian forest habitats.

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

A large and diverse area of floodplain, bottomland hardwood forest, wetlands, wet prairies, sloughs, Oregon white oak, and conifer forest
Priority area in Lower Columbia River Fish Conservation and Recovery Plan
Reproducing populations of red-legged frog and western painted turtle
Very important area for migratory birds and fish (especially salmonids)

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID WC-02 (Bull Run-Sandy Rivers)
2006 COA ID WV-06 (Sandy River area)

Protected Areas

Sandy River Wild and Scenic River
Dabney State Recreation Area
Dodge Park
Glen Otto Community Park
Lewis and Clark State Park
Oxbow Regional Park
Sandy River Delta Recreation Area

Ecoregions

West Cascades

The West Cascades ecoregion extends from east of the Cascade Mountains summit to the foothills of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue Valleys, and spans the entire length of the state of Oregon. It is largely dominated by conifer forests, moving into alpine parklands and dwarf shrubs at higher elevations.

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.