Rock and Richardson Creek Watershed Assessment - p6

Page 6: Watershed Issues and Concerns, Watershed Condition Summary, Bibliography, Appendices

Download this Watershed Assessment as PDF files:
Part 1 (7.3 Mb)
Part 2 (2.0 Mb)
Part 3 (5.2 Mb)
Part 4 (2.5 Mb)

Watershed Issues and Concerns

Every watershed has issues unique to its location, land use pattern, history, and ecology. Rock and Richardson Creeks have been extensively studied and analyzed over the past few years, and these studies have uncovered a number of issues and concerns. The following is a list of some of the primary issues and concerns that have been identified by the Clackamas River Basin Council, community members, and individuals representing agencies and organizations that have done research in Rock or Richardson Creek basins.

Water quality issues

Elevated water temperatures. Riparian areas in Upper Rock and Richardson Creek have been either reduced or completely eliminated by a combination of agriculture and infrastructure development, reducing stream shading and increasing water temperatures. This is especially evident along the Highway 212 corridor, where there is no shading of the stream corridor as a result of the lack of sufficient riparian cover.
Pesticides and herbicides. Water quality studies have identified more than a dozen different pesticides and compounds in Rock and Richardson Creek (Carpenter, draft).
Low dissolved oxygen in Rock Creek. Water quality studies have indicated that dissolved oxygen levels in Rock Creek are below that necessary to sustain anadromous fish (ODFW, 1999).
Severe sedimentation problems in both Rock Creek and Richardson Creek result from erosion, channel incisions, and stormwater runoff aggravated by a lack of riparian vegetation.
Non-point and point source pollutants. Inputs of non-point and point source pollutants are expected to increase as a result of future urbanization and development (Wu and Fowler, 2000)
Agricultural runoff, roadside chemical applications and urban runoff all have negative effects on water quality.
Consistent and comprehensive water quality and basic hydrologic monitoring data are lacking for both Rock and Richardson Creek watersheds.

Water quantity issues

Water withdrawals (surface and groundwater).
Low summer flow conditions unsuitable for fish have been noted in both Creeks, and have caused elevated water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen in Rock Creek
High winter flows are anticipated to increase as urbanization increasing impervious areas in both watersheds and stormwater becomes direct runoff instead of infiltrating into the ground as water storage. High winter flows result in limited fish refuge.
Flood plains have not been delineated in either Rock or Richardson watersheds. Adequate flood plain mapping is crucial to balancing watershed health and human community safety with new development in both watersheds.
Localized flood problems may result from several known undersized culverts in both Rock and Richardson Creek.

Channel modifications

Lack of Information on problem culverts on private land necessary to fully assess channel modification problems.
Erosion and sedimentation problems result from a lack of riparian vegetation along large sections of stream corridors in both creeks and can lead to siltation of gravel beds critical to salmon spawning.
Several natural and artificial stream barriers block migration of fish species in both creeks. A natural waterfall near the mouth of Rock Creek prevents fish from migrating upstream. A gravel bar at the confluence of Rock Creek and the Clackamas River may also seasonally impede fish migration. A natural debris dam inn Richardson Creek may partially block fish passage. There are numerous culverts and road crossings that may block fish passage in both basins.

Urbanization

Perhaps the overriding issue that looms over the future of Rock and Richardson Creek Watersheds is the scheduled urbanization of approximately 50 percent of the land area over the next two to twenty years. Future development may result in several watershed impacts.
- Traffic problems are already severe in some areas and may worsen with future growth. Moreover, new roads and road widening will increase the amount of impervious area and may affect stormwater drainage. The proposed Sunrise Corridor, which is in the final EIS stage, will likely have significant implications to watershed and ecosystem health.
- Greater road density could result in excessive road-stream crossings and further habitat fragmentation. Title 6 of Metro's Urban Growth Management Functional Plan requires urban street densities in new urban reserves and promotes street connectivity.
- Consistent water quality protection has been lacking and is addressed only through a complex multi-jurisdictional institutional framework. Metro and the Clackamas County Service District #1 have jurisdiction only within the UGB. Beyond the UGB streams are protected only through forest harvest rules on forested lands and largely voluntary practices on agricultural lands.
- Urban development will require new utility lines for water, sewage, and power. The placement of these lines could have a major impact on streams and wildlife habitat. A transition away from septic to sewer systems may improve water quality in some areas, but the Clackamas County Service District #1 will likely provide sewer (and stormwater) systems when areas are formally annexed into the UGB. Prior to that sewer service will only be provided in response to a State declared health hazard.
- The installation of new roads and parks may introduce new points of public access to creeks, with possible human health implications.
- A proposed site for the future Damascus Town Center is located just upstream of sensitive anadromous salmonid habitat in Richardson Creek. Development will result in an increase in the amount in paved surfaces and impervious areas. Precipitation in these areas becomes direct runoff and may increase flow rates in nearby streams. Runoff from parking lots and surrounding urban areas may cause surface water and water quality problems downstream including siltation of salmon spawning gravels.
- There is a lack of comprehensive regulatory authority for these watersheds. Clackamas County can only regulate zoning and related development. It has no authority over the agricultural and forest management practices in these watersheds.
Several existing plans and authorities guide future urbanization.
- Damascus Town Center planning
- Pleasant Valley master planning - Metro
- Rock Creek concept plan
- Happy Valley annexation
- Planning beginning in Fall 2000.

Fish and aquatic habitat

Endangered Species Act affects salmon species in Rock Creek and Richardson Creek and will have significant implications for future development within these two watersheds. Rock Creek and Richardson Creek anadromous fish species are part of the Lower Columbia Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) as determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Within the Lower Columbia ESU, steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were listed as a threatened species on March 19, 1998. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was listed as a threatened species on March 24, 1999. Coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) were proposed threatened in April of 1999 for the Southwest Washington and Lower Columbia River ESU. NMFS determined that listing was not warranted for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) within this ESU however, coho were designated as a "candidate" for listing due to concerns over specific risk factors. These listings will have significant implications for future development within these two watersheds.
Degraded riparian and aquatic habitat. Large sections of the original riparian habitat along Rock Creek and Richardson Creek no longer exist, are fragmented or are severely degraded as a result of human impacts and natural causes. Human impacts include road building, golf courses, agriculture, grazing of livestock down to the stream channel, urbanization and housing developments. Problems associated with poor riparian vegetation cover include severe sedimentation problems, erosion, elevated water temperatures, limited streamside cover and unstable streambank conditions.
A small isolated population of resident cutthroat in one of the upper reaches of Rock Creek is at a high risk of extirpation. Wildlife Habitat and Open Space
Fragmentation of wildlife habitat corridors. The habitat corridors between the forested buttes in Rock Creek and Richardson Creek basins need to be maintained and enhanced where fragmentation has occurred, and future development needs to address wildlife needs by minimizing intrusions in these natural corridors.

Watershed Ccondition summary

Background

Rock and Richardson Creek Watersheds are stressed, but not ruined ecosystems. Land use activities over the past 150 years have degraded conditions for anadromous fish, as well as other wildlife. This is an unfortunate result of building homes, communities, and farms among the hills and valleys without an inclusive and comprehensive plan for maintaining watershed health and function. In spite of the changes to the land that have been made, anadromous salmon and other wildlife still find suitable habitat in these watersheds. How this habitat can be protected and improved while accommodating future urban development, is the central question.

Summary of findings

The following is a brief summary of what we know about the condition of these two watersheds.

Anadromous and resident salmonids still make use of significant portions of both creeks. Three salmonid "hot spots" have been identified.
Water quality and quantity (in summer) appear to be barely adequate for salmonids.
Both natural and artificial barriers to fish are present.
The historic forested character of the land has been radically altered. Only 42 percent of the land cover is presently forest, and nearly all of this is second or third growth and dominated by hardwoods.
Riparian areas are in fairly good shape in the lower mainstem canyons, but in very poor condition on the valley floors. The lava dome uplands are a mixed picture, with areas of intact forest and other areas fragmented by fields or roads.
Richardson Creek appears to have better fish habitat than Rock Creek.
The channel habitat types found in these watersheds are relatively resilient and can be restored.
Future urbanization has potentially severe implications for fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, water quantity and flow, and general watershed health.

Summary of missing or unavailable information

The research to develop this assessment uncovered a number of information gaps that, if filled, could help the Clackamas River Basin Council in its efforts to protect and improve these watersheds.

Water quality testing has been sporadic and project driven. Long term measurements and monitoring are needed. There are no long term water quality monitoring programs other than high-school students collecting water quality data on Lower Rock Creek once every summer and fall through Saturday Academy and the Oregon Graduate Institute Student Watershed Research Project (SWRP).
The hydrology of these watersheds is still not well understood. Where and how much aquifer recharge is taking place? How do the soils store and release water to the creeks? Where are springs located?
To what extent have streams been channelized or altered?
Do private culverts block fish passage or pose flood hazards? If so where?
The condition of existing wetlands has not been analyzed, nor is the original role of wetlands understood. What was the former extent of wetlands? Does the presence of large areas of hydric soils, particularly in upper Pleasant Valley, indicate former wetlands? If so, were these forested or more open?
Is the channel habitat classification by Metro accurate?
Where do water quality problems originate
Field-verified and site-specific information on the delineation and condition of riparian areas is lacking, and stream shading has not been measured or analyzed. What is the structure and composition of riparian vegetation and its influence on water quality?
What was the historic width of riparian zones for each stream segment and how does that compare to current conditions?
To what extent is sedimentation a problem, and where does sediment originate?
Index of biological indicator (IBI) monitoring has been short term to date, and data is inconclusive.
What were historic anadromous salmonid population levels in these watersheds?
Reference ecosystems to guide restorative work have not been developed.

Bibliography

Apostol, D., Faha, M., and M. Wilson. 1996. East Buttes/Boring Lava Domes Refinement Study. Metro, Portland, OR.

Apostol, D., Finlayson, C. Lev, E., and R. Furfey. 2000. Rock and Richardson Creek Landscape and Natural Resource Assessment 1999 Draft Report. Metro Regional Services, Portland, OR. [Available from Metro, Data Resource Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR. 97232.]

Beak Consultants, Inc. 1999. Sunrise Corridor: Wetland Delineation, Assessment and Preliminary Mitigation Report. Portland, Oregon. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation, Environmental Services. Salem, Oregon. Project No. 74012.

Beyer, M.A. 1992. Clackamas River Native Fish Stock Analysis: Late Winter Steelhead and Late Run Coho Salmon. Mt Hood National Forest, Clackamas Ranger District, Estacada Ranger District.

Bradbury, B., Nehlsen, W., Nickelson, T.E., Moore, K.M.S., Hughes, R.M. Heller, D., Nicholas, J., Bottom, D.L., Weaver, W.E., and R.L. Bescheta. 1995. Handbook for Prioritizing Watershed Protection and Restoration to Aid Recovery of Native Salmon. Pacific Rivers Council, Portland, OR.

Carpenter, K.D. (Draft). Basinwide Assessment of Nutrients, Algae, and Water Quality Conditions in the Clackamas River Basin, Oregon. U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR. Project # OR176.

Christy, J.A., E.R. Alverson, M.P. Dougherty and S.C. Kolar. Historic Vegetation Map of the Willamette Valley: 1851–1909. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy of Oregon. GIS processes should be credited to Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of Corrections, and Oregon Division of State Lands. (GIS data layer)

Daly, C. and G. Taylor. 1998. Oregon Average Monthly or Annual Precipitation, 1961–90. Oregon Climate Service at Oregon State University. Water and Climate Center of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Portland, OR.

Dames and Moore. 1991. Sunrise Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Geotechnical Study, Clackamas County, Oregon. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Job No. 4117-032-020. 25 p. plus maps and tables.

Dames and Moore. 1992. Sunrise Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Water Resources and Water Quality Impacts Technical Report, Clackamas County, Oregon. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Job No. 4117-032-020. 31 p. plus maps and tables.

Dames and Moore. 1993.Final Technical Report on Natural Resources: Plants and Animals. sunrise Corridor Project Area, Clackamas County. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Job No. 4117-032-020. 80 p. plus

David Evans and Associates, Inc. 1991. Sunrise Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Final Technical Report, Surface Water Drainage Sections 4 through 6. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. 12 p. plus tables and appendices.

Dewberry, T.C., J. R. Karr, and J.W. Adams. 1999. Evaluating Aquatic Resources in the Clackamas River Basin of Oregon. USEPA Contract # CR825041-01, Portland , OR. 57pp.

Dunne, T. and L.B. Leopold. 1978. Water in Environmental Planning. W. H. Freeman and Company. 818 p.

Fowler, Mike, and John Davis. 2000. Memorandum to Ela Whalen and Mike Macrelli. Surface Water Management Alternatives for Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. February 22, 2000. URS Corporation. 8 p.

KCM Inc. 1996. Subbasin Strategy Plans for Upper Rock, Bronson, and Willow Creeks — Final Draft Report, prepared for the Unified Sewerage Agency, Hillsboro, OR.

Mason Bruce and Girard, Inc. 1998. Biological Assessment Addressing Impacts to Steelhead Trout, Chinook salmon, Chum Salmon, Bald Eagle and Rare Plants: East Portland Freeway at Clackamas Highway (Sunrise Corridor) I-205 to 172nd Ave. Key #05331. Prepared by Nancy Munn, Ph.D. for Oregon Department of Transportation. Portland, Oregon. 25 p. plus appendices.

Mason, Bruce, and Girard Inc. 1997. Sunrise Corridor Highway 212/224 Final Biology Report. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Portland, Oregon.

Mason, Bruce. and Girard, Inc. 1997. Sunrise Corridor Highway 212/224 Final Biology Report. Prepared for for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Portland, Oregon.

Meross, S. 2000. Salmon Restoration in an Urban Watershed: Johnson Creek, Oregon. Portland Multnomah Progress Board. Portland, OR. 130 pp. [Available from the Portland Multnomah Progress Board, 1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR. 97204.]

Metro Regional Services. 1997. Clackamas River Watershed Atlas. Portland, OR. 40pp. (Available at: Metro, Data Resource Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR. 97232. ISBN 0-9662473-0-2)

NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 1998. Endangered and Threatened Species: threatened status for two ESUs of steelhead in Washington, Oregon, and California. Federal Register 63:13347-13371.

NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 1999. Endangered and threatened species: threatened status for three chinook salmon Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) in Washington and Oregon, and Endangered Status of one chinook salmon ESU in Washington. Federal Register 64:14307-14328.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 1992. Clackamas River Basin Fisheries Management Plan. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 1998. Distribution of Fish and Crayfish and Measurement of Available Habitat in Streams of the North Clackamas Urban Area. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 1997–1998 Annual Report. 43 p.

Strahler, A. N. 1957. Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology. Transactions of the American Geophysical union 38:913–920.

Taylor, B. 1999. Salmon and Steelhead Runs and Related Events of the Clackamas River Basin: A Historical Perspective. Prepared for Portland General Electric, Portland, OR. 54 p.

U.S. Geological Survey. 1965. Groundwater in the East Portland Area, Oregon: USGS Water Supply Paper #1793. USGS. Water Resources Division. Portland, Oregon. Prepared by G.M. Hogenson and B.L. Foxworthy. 78 p.

U.S. Geological Survey.1997. Basinwide assessment of nutrients, algae, and water quality conditions in the Clackamas River basin.

University of Oregon, Department of Landscape Architecture. 1998. Designing an Open Space Network: A Framework for Habitat Preservation. School of Landscape Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. 50 p.

URS Corporation. In Process. Surface Water Master Plan for Rock and Richardson Creek Watersheds. Prepared for Clackamas County, Water Environment Services, Clackamas, Oregon. 9 p.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1995. Ecosystem Analysis at the Watershed Scale: Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis. Version 2.2. 26 p.

USFS (U.S. Forest Service) and BLM (Bureau of Land Management). 1994. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Portland, OR. 3 volumes.

USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 1998. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: determination of threatened status for the Klamath River and Columbia River distinct population segments of bull trout. Federal Register 63: 31647-31674.

Water Environment Services (WES). 2000. Draft Surface Water Master Plan for Rock and Richardson Creek Watersheds.

Woodward-Clyde Consultants. 1994. Johnson Creek Resources Management Plan: Draft July 1994. Prepared for the Johnson Creek Corridor Committee. 198 p. plus appendices.

WPN (Watershed Professionals Network). 1999. Oregon Watershed Assessment Manual. June 1999. Prepared for the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board, Salem, Oregon.

Wu, Binhong and Mike Fowler. 2000. Memorandum to Mike Nacrelli: Water Quality Modeling for Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. February 25, 2000. URS Corporation. 5 p.

Appendix I

Statutory framework

The following is a list of the primary federal, state and local legislation and management plans that affect activities within the Rock Creek and Richardson Creek watersheds.

Federal legislation

Endangered Species Act
- Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Listed as a threatened species on March 19, 1998 within the Lower Columbia ESU
- Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Listed as a threatened species on March 24, 1999 within the Lower Columbia River ESU
- Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki): Proposed threatened in April of 1999 for the Southwest Washington and Lower Columbia River ESU
- Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) On July 25, 1995, NMFS determined that listing was not warranted for this ESU. However, the ESU is designated as a candidate for listing due to concerns over specific risk factors
Clean Water Act of 1972 (US EPA) and Amendments

State legislation/plans

State of Oregon: Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, 1998.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) water Quality Conditions/DEQ 303(d) list, 1998 Water Quality Limited Streams, TMDLs.
Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) water rights and water diversions. Local Legislation/Plans:
Metro Title 3 (also referred to as Metro's Stream and Floodplain Protection Plan) adopted in 1998.
Metro Urban Growth Management Functional Plan.
Metro Goal 5 buffer requirements prevents/restricts development within the 100-year floodplain.
Clackamas County Title 6 Surface Water Regulations.
Clackamas County stream protection ordinance (used to protect riparian vegetation).
Three Basin Rule: the Clackamas River downstream of both Rock and Richardson Creeks is currently used for drinking water. This indicates that the Clackamas River must have acceptable water quality and brings the "Three Basin Rule" into effect.
(OAR 340-41-470(1)). The rule states: "In order to preserve or improve the existing high quality water for municipal water supplies, recreation, and preservation of aquatic life, new or increased waste discharges shall be prohibited, except as provided by this rule."
Pleasant Valley master planning (Metro).
Rock Creek concept plan.
Happy Valley annexation.

Appendix II

Annotated bibliography specific to Rock and Richardson watersheds

Apostol, D., Finlayson, C. Lev, E., and R. Furfey. Draft. Rock and Richardson Creek Landscape and Natural Resource Assessment 1999 Draft Report. Metro Regional Services, Portland, OR. [Available from Metro, Data Resource Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR. 97232.] Draft report including report, maps. Contact Person: Paul Ketcham.

Beyer, M.A. 1992. Clackamas River Native Fish Stock Analysis: Late Winter Steelhead and Late Run Coho Salmon. Mt Hood National Forest, Clackamas Ranger District, Estacada Ranger District. Study focuses on species above North Fork Reservoir.

Carpenter, K.D. (Draft). Basinwide Assessment of Nutrients, Algae, and Water Quality Conditions in the Clackamas River Basin, Oregon. U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR. Project # OR176. Hard copy report including text, maps, figures and tables. Contact Person: Kurt Carpenter. Dames and Moore. 1991. Sunrise Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Geotechnical Study, Clackamas County, Oregon. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Job No. 4117-032-020. 25 p. plus maps and tables. Hard copy report including text, maps. One in a series of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Sunrise Corridor highway alignment. This report examines the geotechnical/geologic-related factors related to the proposed project. The Sunrise Corridor extends from Interstate 205 (I-205) to U.S. Route 26 (Highway 26) for a distance of 13 miles. The proposed highway alignments and widening affect the lower portions of Rock Creek watershed and the middle section of Richardson Creek basin along the existing Highway 212.

Dewberry, T.C., J. R. Karr, and J.W. Adams. 1999. Evaluating Aquatic Resources in the Clackamas River Basin of Oregon. USEPA Contract # CR825041-01, Portland , OR. 57pp. Draft report including text, graphs, and figures. Contact person: Jeff Adams, The Xerces Society, Portland, OR. The objectives of this study were to 1) document historical conditions in the Clackamas River basin and relate those to current conditions, 2) apply the benthic index of biological integrity (B-IBI), and 3) determine a river monitoring scheme that could be used by diverse local and regional community-based groups and other stakeholders. The report does not include a summary. It said "We are in the process of completing the summary, a set of numbered points that we see as the primary messages that derive from this study." The report did stress the importance of using the B-IBI monitoring scheme and noted that the anadromous salmonids of Rock and Richardson are both severely restricted and threatened by human actions in the watershed.

Fowler, Mike, and John Davis. 2000. Memorandum to Ela Whalen and Mike Macrelli. Surface Water Management Alternatives for Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. February 22, 2000. URS Corporation. 8 p. Technical memorandum including brief description of surface water management alternatives for Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. Contact Person: Mike Fowler, URS Corporation. URS Corporation (URS)was hired by Clackamas County Water Environment Services to develop Surface Water Master Plans for the Rock Creek and Richardson Creek watersheds. URS evaluated the existing natural resources of both basins, evaluated peak flow characteristics under existing and future land use scenarios, and estimated the potential increase in pollutant loads as a result of future urbanization. Based on these findings, URS identified a set of problems and opportunities related to surface water management. A draft list of these is provided in the technical memorandum and a refined list is expected to be released in the final URS report. Final report was not completed at the time the annotated bibliography was produced.

Mason, Bruce, and Girard Inc. 1997. Sunrise Corridor Highway 212/224 Final Biology Report. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Portland, Oregon. Hard copy report. Contact person: Nancy Munn.

Metro Regional Services. 1997. Clackamas River Watershed Atlas. Portland, OR. 40pp. (Available at: Metro, Data Resource Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR. 97232. ISBN 0-9662473-0-2) Hard copy atlas including maps, figures, charts, text. Contact person: Rosemary Furfey, Metro. This oversized atlas contains 26 large-sized colored maps, tables, charts and accompanying text that describe the natural resources and land use character of the Clackamas river basin. The purpose of the atlas was to gather information about the basin in order to help the Metro Council and other decision-makers evaluate areas for future urban growth. The atlas contains the following spatial information: 1) base map of the Clackamas River basin, 2) property ownership, 3) elevation, 4) ecoregions, 5) geology, 6) salmonid fish distribution, 7) water quality and water supply, 8) stream status based on DEQ's 303(d) designation process, 9) designated special areas, 10) land cover, 11) relative surface erosion potential, 12) relative infiltration rate, 13) slope characteristics, 14) estimated population density, 15) impervious area, 16) current zoning, 17) existing land use, 18) future land-use plans, 19) road-stream crossings, 20) road density, 21) relative susceptibility to mass wasting, and 22) information on stream gradients. An excellent source for generalized landscape characteristics of the Clackamas River basin.

Metro Regional Services. 1999. Streamside CPR: Development of measures to conserve, protect and restore riparian corridors in the Metro region. Discussion Draft. Metro's Growth Management Services Department. Portland, Oregon. 113 p. plus appendices. Hard copy report including text, maps, photographs. Contact persons: Rosemary Furfey, Carol Krigger, Susan Payne, or Malu Wilkinson.

Olson, S., Simpson, I., Sugnet, J., Williams, T., and A. Young. 2000. Residents Informing the Planning Process: Pleasant Valley and Its Natural Resources. Prepared for Portland State University as part of a Master's Degree Project. 51 p. Hard copy report including text, maps, photographs. Contact Person: Steve Olson. The purpose of this project was gather local knowledge of the natural resources and history of Pleasant Valley by conducting interviews with long term residents. Valuable information on the presence of a compacted soil layer was identified, changes in creek geomorphology, changes in stream flow characteristics, as well as notable changes in water quality and riparian areas. Residents identified environmental concerns such as dumping waste, adding fill to land, and potential problems from leaking septic tanks, oil tanks, and use of pesticides. The goal of the project was to take advantage of this valuable information and use it to guide future development plans for the area. Not only does this project provide excellent information on the history and natural resources of Pleasant Valley, it also is an excellent guide to model after for future planning processes of Rock Creek and Richardson Creek basins. There is a tremendous amount of information and insights that can be gained through interviewing long time residents of an area.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 1999. Distribution of Fish and Crayfish and Measurement of Available Habitat in Streams of the North Clackamas County. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 1997–1999 Final Report. 68 p. Hard copy text report. Contact person: Tom Friesen. The primary objectives were to 1) determine fish and crayfish abundance, 2) measure the quality and quantity of available aquatic habitat, and 3) assess the overall health of seven streams in North Clackamas County. These streams included Kellogg, Mt. Scott, Phillips, Dean, Cow, Seiben, and Rock creek. Habitat surveys were conducted during the summer of 1997 on Rock Creek. Fish and crayfish surveys in Rock Creek were done during each season (fall, summer, winter, spring) during 1997–98. Ratios of pool, riffle and glides were determined. Stream substrate characteristics, such as sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, etc.., were noted. Stream bank stability, stream shading, undercut banks, woody debris and fish passage barriers were noted. The index of biotic integrity (IBI) was used to determine the biological integrity of the streams. Rainbow trout, chinook, coho, and cutthroat trout were all observed in the lowest reaches of Rock Creek. The following water quality measurements were taken during the summer of 1997: average water velocity, turbidity, percent oxygen saturation, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, salinity and total dissolved solids. Data is available for stream reaches within Rock Creek only and does not include any information on Richardson Creek.

OTAK, Inc. 1999. Rock Creek Concept Plan: Urban Reserve Areas 14 and 15, Clackamas County, Oregon. Report completed in association with Kittleson and Associates, Inc., Pacific Rim Resources, Palsa, LLC. 65 p. plus Appendices. Hard copy report including text, maps, photographs. Contact Person: Joe Dills, Project Manager. The purpose of the Rock Creek Plan was to 1) establish a coordinated land use, transportation, natural resource, and public facilities "concept" for the Urban Reserve Areas 14 and 15, 2) conform with Metro requirements and recommendations for urban reserve planning and 3) promote collaboration and involvement in the process by area residents, service providers, local jurisdictions, Metro and other interested parties. Rock Creek makes up the eastern boundary of the urban reserve area. The plan relates only to the proposed urban reserve areas with Rock Creek. There is nothing on Richardson Creek basin in this report.

Taylor, B. 1999. Salmon and Steelhead Runs and Related Events of the Clackamas River Basin: A Historical Perspective. Prepared for Portland General Electric, Portland, OR. 54 p. Hard copy report including text, maps, historical timelines. Contact Person: Marty May, PGE. University of Oregon, Department of Landscape Architecture. 1998. Designing an Open Space Network: A Framework for Habitat Preservation. School of Landscape Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. 50 p. Provides conceptual landscape designs for 3 urban reserves: Damascus, Rock Creek, and Pleasant Valley, maps, drawings, text. Students at the University of Oregon, Department of Landscape Architecture came up with three alternative open space landscape designs for three urban reserves: Damascus, Rock Creek, and Pleasant Valley. They first identified the habitat requirements for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and the resource and infrastructure needs of humans. Three plans were 1) an open space network of patches and corridors, 2) a linear network with modes, and 3) a large central open space with stepping stones. The purpose was to explore these three designs and their impact on the needs of humans, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

URS Corporation. In Process. Surface Water Master Plan for Rock and Richardson Creek Watersheds. Prepared for Clackamas County, Water Environment Services, Clackamas, Oregon. 9 p. Technical memorandum including brief description of hydraulic analysis of Rock Creek. Contact Person: Mike Fowler, URS Corporation. This report is currently in draft form and is expected to be completed during the fall of 2000. URS completed a hydraulic analysis of Rock Creek in order to evaluate the impact of future development on the existing surface water drainage system. Future urbanization of this area is expected to increase the amount of impervious area in the Rock Creek basin. This will likely result in a significant increase in the amount of surface water runoff will increase peak flows. The URS Corporation used the XPSWMM (a proprietary version of U.S. EPA's Stormwater and Wastewater Management Model: SWMM) to determine existing and future flood prone areas at culverted road river crossings. Since peak flow information was not available for Rock Creek, it was estimated using 3 different methods: 1) peak flow information from nearby Johnson Creek, 2) predicted peak from USGS Regression model, and 3) predicted peak from Laenen equation. Results of the analysis found one culvert deficiency under existing conditions and six under future development conditions. Detailed information on the exact location of the problem culverts and proposed corrective actions will be provided on the final report. Final report was not completed at the time the annotated bibliography was produced.

Wu, Binhong and Mike Fowler. 2000. Memorandum to Mike Nacrelli: Water Quality Modeling for Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. February 25, 2000. URS Corporation. 5 p. Technical memorandum containing brief description of water quality modeling for Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. Contact Person: Mike Fowler, URS Corporation. URS Corporation was hired by Clackamas County Water Environment Services to estimate the increase in pollutant loads from surface water runoff as a result of future urbanization in Rock Creek Urban Reserves 14 and 15. URS Corporation developed a simple spreadsheet pollutant load model designed to evaluate the change in three water quality parameters: total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous (TP), and total copper (CU) under existing and future urban land use scenarios. The results of the model simulations showed that the pollutant loads increase dramatically as future development occurs. The total suspended sediment loads increase by more than 6 times, the total phosphorous lads increase by more than 3 times, and the total copper loads increase by more than 10 times. Final report was not completed at the time the annotated bibliography was produced.

Water Environment Services (WES). 2000. Draft Surface Water Master Plan for Rock and Richardson Creek Watersheds. Available from Water Environment Services, 9101 SE Sunnybrook Blvd., Suite 441, Clackamas, OR 97015.] (unpublished report).

Wolfe, Kate (URS), Lynn Sharp (URS), Todd Moses (Watershed Applications), Bob Ellis (Ellis Ecological Services). Technical Memorandum: Natural Resources Assessment of Rock Creek and Richardson Creek. December 6, 1999. 35 pages. Technical Memorandum to Diana Sharp presenting an evaluation of natural resources in Rock and Richardson Creek watersheds including conditions of riparian corridors, channel stability and fish habitat. Developed as part of the Surface Water Management Plan for both watersheds. Woodward-Clyde Consultants. 1994. Johnson Creek Resources Management Plan: Draft July 1994. Prepared for the Johnson Creek Corridor Committee. 198 p. plus appendices. Available from Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 111 SW Columbia, Suite 990, Portland, OR. 97201.

Other potential sources

Adolfson and Associates. 1998. Biological Assessment, Listed Species: Lower Columbia River Steelhead, I-205 to 172nd Avenue (Sunnyside Road), Clackamas County, Oregon.

CH2M Hill and Adolfson & Associates. 1998. Sunnyside Road Environmental Assessment (I-205 to Southeast 172nd Avenue): Natural Resources Technical Report. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Portland, Oregon.

Kurahashi and Associates, Inc. 1998. Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Water Quality Report: Sunnyside Road Improvement Project, I-205 to 172nd Avenue. Clackamas County, Oregon.

Leavitt, J., 1998. The Functions of Riparian Buffers in Urban Watersheds. Master's Thesis. University of Washington. Seattle, Washington.

Milwaukie High School SWRP (provided by Gordon McGhee, Clackamas River Water) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 1998. Willamette River/Sandy River: Guide to Restoration Site Selection (Sandy, Clackamas, Molalla, Pudding, Santiam and Calapooia River Drainages).

Oregon Department of Transportation. 1998. Biological Assessment: Addressing Impacts to West Coast Steelhead Trout, Bald Eagle and Plants. East Portland Freewat at Clackamas Highway (Sunrise) Interchange (I-205 to Rock Creek, Key 05331) and Sunnyside I-205 Interchange and Sunnybrook Extension Project (Key 03346).

Oregon Department of Transportation. 1993. Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Sunrise Corridor Highway 212/224 (I-205 to US 26). Federal Highway Administration. Oregon Department of Transportation, Clackamas County, Oregon.