Big Creek is one of few remaining Oregon coastal watersheds in nearly pristine condition, yet its small and unique estuary has been degraded and disconnected due to fill, historic grazing, and widespread invasive plant species, resulting in major declines to historical runs of salmon and steelhead.
The Big Creek Restoration project reestablished connectivity and functionality of this critical transition zone to its extensive habitat in the upper watershed. Taking a whole-landscape view, our design addressed the ESA-listed Silverspot Butterfly, tributary connectivity, and the impacts of extensive invasive knotweed.
Our team recognized early that infrastructure constraints were low while stakeholder outreach and habitat needs were more critical objectives. By using online mapping interfaces of UAV-based aerial imagery, we were able to virtually “walk through” the site, facilitating stakeholder engagement and generating their buy-in on project design concepts. This allowed the project design to move forward within a compressed timeline
During the project‘s construction our project manager worked directly with contractors to field fit design elements and preserve vegetation where opportunities arose. This included determining cost effective ways of locating gravels suitable for channel fill.
