Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council Floodplain Science Pub

Join the Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council for a talk with Jared Weybright, McKenzie Watershed Council (MWC) Executive Director, about the Lower South Fork McKenzie River Floodplain Enhancement Project Phase I.

Much like other rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest, the South Fork McKenzie River has been dramatically altered by a variety of historic and present-day land use management practices. The installation of Cougar Dam, placement of berms and levees throughout the floodplain, removal of instream wood, and timber harvest from floodplain forests altered a number of physical, chemical and biological process that historically created complex and diverse habitat across the board alluvial valley found in the lower South Fork. In 2018, the US Forest Service, in partnership with the McKenzie Watershed Council, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and US Army Corps of Engineers implemented Phase I of the Lower South Fork McKenzie River Floodplain Enhancement Project. The Project utilized a relatively new approach (“Stage 0”) to floodplain restoration that seeks to maximize floodplain connection at all flow conditions by removing artificially placed sediments (i.e. berms, historic roadbeds, etc.), using that material to aggrade incised channels, and placing large wood through the floodplain. The presentation will describe the Project’s design approach and highlight the implementation process.

Jared Weybright has worked with the McKenzie Watershed Council since 2004, the majority of that time (10+ years) spent directing restoration and education programs. He has designed and implemented numerous voluntary education and restoration projects in partnership with private landowners, public agencies, schools, and nonprofits organizations. Jared has a background in fisheries and previously worked for ODFW. Mr. Weybright lives in Eugene with his family and enjoys coaching youth sports and a variety of outdoor pursuits.