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Lottery funds three projects to help Tenmile Lakes
Sept. 24, 2007
News media contact:
- Mike Mader, Tenmile Lakes Basin Partnership, (541) 759-2414
- Mark Grenbemer, OWEB Regional Program Representative, (541) 776-6010 ext. 231
Editors/reporters: A complete list by county of funded projects approved by the OWEB Board is posted on OWEB’s Website at: www.oregon.gov/OWEB. Click on “News and Announcements.”
Stopping erosion in streams will reduce algae and plants in lakes
The Tenmile Lakes Basin Partnership has received nearly $588,000 in Oregon Lottery funds for three projects that will add shade and reduce erosion along streams flowing into Tenmile Lakes, benefiting coho salmon, steelhead and resident trout.
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board recently approved the funds for the three projects, which have a total cost of nearly $795,000.
“The Tenmile Partnership and project partners are excited about our grant awards and are looking forward to utilizing these Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds dollars to improve the water quality of our wonderful lakes,” said Mike Mader, partnership coordinator.
Project partners will plant vegetation along streams to provide shade and to cool the water flowing into the lakes. They also will improve stream crossings by replacing culverts with bridges or installing larger culverts to open fish access to nearly eight miles of habitat. Partners also will use natural materials to stabilize streambanks in nine areas and will fence livestock away from two miles of creeks.
The work will help reduce water temperatures and the level of nutrients flowing into the lake. The warm water and nutrients contribute to growth of toxic blue-green algae and infestation of Egeria densa, an exotic aquatic plant.
Waterways to be treated include Adams, Big, Johnson, Noble, Hatchery and Wilkins creeks. The projects are similar to 53 other projects completed by the Tenmile Lakes Basin Partnership opening 22 stream miles to fish and removing 22,000 cubic yards of sediment from streams, according to Mader.
Partners in the three recently funded projects include the City of Lakeside, Lane County, Coos County, several state natural resource agencies, many private landowners and the Eel and Tenmile Lakes Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program.
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board consists of 17 members. They represent the public at large, tribes, state natural resource agency boards and commissions, the Oregon State University Extension Service, and federal natural resource agencies. The board is supported by a state agency of the same name that provides grants and services to citizen groups, organizations and agencies working to restore healthy watersheds in Oregon. OWEB actions support the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, created in 1997. Funding comes from the Oregon Lottery as a result of a citizen initiative in 1998, sales of salmon license plates, federal salmon funds and other sources. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/OWEB or call OWEB in Salem at 503-986-0178.
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