Restoring the Willamette River

Willamette slough at Riverfront Park

Organizations across Oregon recognize the value in storing Willamette River habitats and have provided funding to help Salem accomplish their restoration goals.

Salem locals and visitors know Minto Brown Island Park as Salem’s greatest natural area, a place where people can enjoy strolls or bike rides along the river, or take in the serenity of watching wildlife or paddling in the Willamette Slough. Did you know Minto Brown Island Park and its conservation area play an important role in restoration efforts along the Willamette River system? The area is considered of high ecological value and contains important riparian floodplain areas that provide habitat for many fish and wildlife species including threatened Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Organizations across Oregon recognize the value in restoring Willamette River habitats and have provided funding to help Salem accomplish their restoration goals.

Daylighting Pringle Creek

Can you see where Pringle Creek meets the Willamette Slough? Salem is working to daylight and restore Pringle Creek as it flows to the Willamette Slough. Concrete remnants from the former Boise Cascade Paper Mill will be removed before efforts to restore the creek begin. Pathway connections to Riverfront Park and the Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge will also be explored. Stay tuned!

Funding: South Waterfront Urban Renewal Area

​Restoring the Slough

Creeping water primrose, an invasive aquatic plant, is choking out the Willamette Slough, impacting water quality, habitat, and recreation opportunities. Efforts are underway to control the aggressively growing plant.

We are thankful for the support of the City of Keizer, Glenn Gibson Watershed Council, Marion Soil and Water Conservation District, North Santiam Watershed Council, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Parks, Salem Audubon Society, Salem Environmental Education, and Willamette Riverkeepers.

Funding: Meyer Memorial Trust and Bonneville Power Administration

​Minto Island Conservation Area

Native trees and shrubs are important to the wildlife that call Minto Brown Island home. Current restoration efforts in the Minto Island Conservation Area include removing invasive plants and replanting with native trees and shrubs.

The Salem Audubon Society controls 22 acres of the northern tip of Minto Island for a Great Blue Heron rookery.

Funding: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and Meyer Memorial Trust