Waln Creek serves as a "mitigation bank," providing wetland restoration credits to offset stream impacts from development elsewhere in the City.

Importance of Wetlands

Wetlands are vital to the health of wildlife and humans everywhere. They play several important roles, including:

• Flood Control: Wetlands help control flooding by absorbing excess water.

• Supporting Rivers and Streams: They aid the function of surrounding rivers and streams.

• Providing Habitat: Wetlands offer habitat for native plant and animal species.

• Water Purification: They help purify water by filtering out pollutants.

• Erosion Control: Wetlands help control erosion by stabilizing soil.

Wetlands are often restored on land that was previously drained to create agricultural land. The resulting drier land is more vulnerable to invasion by nonnative species. By returning wetlands to these areas, we can make the site less hospitable to invasive species and more welcoming to native species.

Stormwater Management

A second key goal of wetlands is to treat stormwater runoff. Wetlands hold water like a sponge, helping to maintain normal river levels and prevent flooding caused by rapid runoff. When water levels are low, wetlands slowly release water to the surrounding area, acting as a natural filter in the process.

Climate Change Resilience

The protection and restoration of wetlands, especially large and relatively intact ones, will become increasingly important as refuges for wildlife, areas for pollutant removal, and flood storage in the face of climate change. The City continues to preserve, protect, and maintain wetlands as an integral part of our overall stormwater management planning. These efforts will help the city become more resilient as the effects of climate change increase.

Examples of Salem's Wetland and Mitigation Areas

Claggett Creek Natural Area

Claggett Creek Natural Area is a wetlands and stream restoration project constructed in 2004.

Madrona Avenue Stream Mitigation

Madrona Avenue Stream Mitigation efforts have increased streambed improvements, stormwater management, and scrub-shrub growth

Mill Creek Corporate Center Wetlands

While preparation activities in the Southern project began in 2019, planting will take place over 2020 and 2021. Eventually, the two wetland areas will serve 515 acres of industrial land.

Waln Creek Mitigation Bank

The stream bank is 5.5 acres of property within the larger City-owned Battle Creek park property. It enhances the channel and its adjacent floodplain terraces.