Start Date
2-11-2019 5:00 PM
End Date
2-11-2019 6:00 PM
Abstract
The Columbia Slough is a 19-mile urban waterway with about a dozen miles of side channels. Historically, the watershed contained a vast system of side channels, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and numerous streams covering the floodplain of the Columbia River between the mouths of the Willamette and Sandy Rivers. The watershed and waterways have been drastically altered over the years and have been heavily degraded by urbanization, including agricultural, residential, and industrial development, flood control activities, and road and culvert construction. The waterway provides wildlife and essential fish habitat for salmonids, excellent opportunities for recreational paddling and birding, and is used by recreational fishing people. Since 1993, the City of Portland (City), Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have studied the Columbia Slough Watershed and have implemented actions to reduce discharges of pollutants and improve sediment quality. Early studies and subsequent follow-up investigations indicate widespread, low-level contamination throughout the Slough’s sediments with a few isolated areas of higher contamination. Fish tissue in the Slough is also impacted by industrial chemicals. DEQ’s 2005 Record of Decision (ROD) provides a watershed wide framework for addressing contamination of sediments within the Columbia Slough. This talk will provide an overview of BES’ Columbia Slough Sediment Program and the actions it is taking to reduce contamination and long-term risks in the Slough.
Subjects
Land/watershed management, Water quality
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33792
The Columbia Slough Sediment Program: Reducing contamination and long-term risk in Portland’s hidden gem
The Columbia Slough is a 19-mile urban waterway with about a dozen miles of side channels. Historically, the watershed contained a vast system of side channels, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and numerous streams covering the floodplain of the Columbia River between the mouths of the Willamette and Sandy Rivers. The watershed and waterways have been drastically altered over the years and have been heavily degraded by urbanization, including agricultural, residential, and industrial development, flood control activities, and road and culvert construction. The waterway provides wildlife and essential fish habitat for salmonids, excellent opportunities for recreational paddling and birding, and is used by recreational fishing people. Since 1993, the City of Portland (City), Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have studied the Columbia Slough Watershed and have implemented actions to reduce discharges of pollutants and improve sediment quality. Early studies and subsequent follow-up investigations indicate widespread, low-level contamination throughout the Slough’s sediments with a few isolated areas of higher contamination. Fish tissue in the Slough is also impacted by industrial chemicals. DEQ’s 2005 Record of Decision (ROD) provides a watershed wide framework for addressing contamination of sediments within the Columbia Slough. This talk will provide an overview of BES’ Columbia Slough Sediment Program and the actions it is taking to reduce contamination and long-term risks in the Slough.
