Miracle Fish In Newton Creek

May 22, 2009

Release from: Kyle Odegard
Corvalis Gazette-Times

Just a few years ago, people didn’t realize there was a healthy fish population in the section of Newton Creek north of Highway 20/34, which runs through a former mill site.

On Thursday morning, a young spring Chinook salmon about 10 centimeters long was captured in the creek.

“This fish is listed under the Endangered Species Act, which means I have to file a report,” said Karen Hans, a STEP (Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program) biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fittingly, the ODFW worker who captured the fish was Colby Davidson, a 2007 Philomath High School graduate.

For his senior project, Davidson studied the creek and trapped 200 fish, including seven native species such as cutthroat trout. That led to the removal of a dam blocking the creek, as well as riparian zone improvements, in October 2006.

The fish was found in the creek above where the dam was located.

“Removing the dam gave the salmon and the trout the chance to come up here into this really great habitat,” Hans said.

On Thursday, Cheldelin Middle School sixth-graders were at the former mill site for the Newton Creek Wetlands Stewardship Field Day program, where local students learn about the outdoors in the outdoors.

The spring Chinook was captured as Davidson was looking to catch other fish and amphibians to show the students.

“There’s a lot of fish living in the creek that people don’t know about,” Hans said.

Hans said the discovery shows a degree of fish passage from the Marys River. Spring Chinook aren’t believed to spawn in the Marys, but use the basin for rearing.

“At any time of the year, you can find them in these small creeks,” she said. “They’re still pretty rare.”

The discovery raises the profile of the creek for further restoration projects. Since the time the cutthroat trout was discovered in the creek, however, it was considered salmonid habitat, Hans said.

She said that finding the salmon wouldn’t prevent construction on the west section at the former mill site, which was once considered for an industrial park, though permits would be needed for work in the creek.

Hans said the small fish will be returned to the creek.