Salem, Oregon
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Stream Cleaning Crew
Background
In 1996, heavy flooding caused serious damage in Salem and the Willamette Valley. To address this issue, the City of Salem started an annual Stream Cleaning Program in 1998. This program is part of the City's efforts to manage stormwater. Its main goal is to lower the risk of flooding during times of heavy rainfall.
Importance of the Program
The Stream Cleaning Program is important because it helps protect the community from flooding. By keep local streams clean and healthy, the City can ensure that water flows smoothly. This program benefits everyone in Salem by reducing the chances of flooding and improving water quality.
Role of the Summer Stream Crew Interns
The summer Stream Crew interns have a vital role in caring for Salem's streams. Each season, the interns walk about 60 miles of the nearly 90 miles of streams in the area. Their main tasks include:
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Inspecting and Surveying: The interns check the streams to collect information about the habitat, flooding and water quality.
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Cleaning Streams: They clean the streams to keep them healthy and functioning well.
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Identifying Restoration Projects: The crew also finds stream restoration projects that can replace invasive plants with native ones.
Additional Resources
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ESRI Blog: Learn more about the Stream Crew's work by reading the ESRI Blog.
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Story Maps: For a detailed look at what the 2020 Stream Crew achieved, check out the Story Maps created by the four Stream Technicians.
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Past Reports: If you would like to see reports from previous years, please email streamcrew@cityofsalem.net.
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Stream Symposium: If you missed our Stream Symposium, which features the work of the Stream Crew, you can watch it online.
