Johnson Creek Watershed Council

Johnson Creek Outfall Surveys
2024-08-07 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
When storm water is redirected away from roads and other structures, it is often funneled out through outfalls which deposit the storm water into streams like Johnson Creek. This outfall water will regularly contain varying amounts of fertilizer, lawn chemicals, heavy metals, highway runoff, and other chemicals that are toxic to salmonids and other life. JCWC is looking to photograph and record data of each outfall in the Johnson Creek watershed mainstem. This data will not only be immensely helpful in understanding how stormwater is impacting Johnson Creek, but will also help us and our partners identify future projects and priorities both in the near and long term. Identifying sources and quality of runoff may also allow for future projects and initiatives. Volunteers will be given maps with outfall locations and may survey the sites at their own pace and may receive additional maps if desired. When surveying, volunteers should wear clothes for a variety of environments. Items such as long pants and sleeves, and close-toe shoes with good tread.

When: Training: Wednesday, August 7th, from 6pm – 7pm, virtually. Surveying will continue from August through November.

Where: All through the mainstem of Johnson Creek!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

We will provide: maps of outfall sites, high visibility vests

Accessibility: This event may require traversing a variety of environments, walking over uneven ground, going up or down steep slopes, bending, and walking near the creek. Each site will have different requirements so we can accommodate most physical ability levels. If you have questions about the physical requirements of the event, please contact holly@jcwc.org.

Children unfortunately are not permitted. This survey involves potentially navigating certain hazards and uneven terrain and is not suitable for children. Youth 14 years old and older are welcome if accompanied by an attentive adult.

Habitat Enhancement at Leach Botanical Garden
2024-08-14 09:00 - 12:00
Join us in removing invasive weeds from the Leach Botanical Garden! This work helps to create new spaces and supports our collaborative Back 5 educational project. No experience necessary!

Since 2018 Johnson Creek Watershed Council has been working with a group of partners to restore 5 acres on the east side of Leach Botanical Garden that borders Johnson Creek. The partnership includes: Wisdom of the Elders, Inc, African Youth Community Organization, The Blueprint Foundation, David Douglas High School, Leach Botanical Garden, along with help from experts at Portland Parks and Recreation, and many dedicated volunteers.

We created an awesome video and website to share what is going on with the project and partnership. Find out what we have been up to on the Leach Back Five Website.

Click here to RSVP

What: Invasive species removal, grubbing, and weeding.

When: Wednesday, August 14th, 2024, 9am-12pm

Where: Leach Botanical Garden (see directions below)

What to bring: Bring a filled water bottle and snacks. You’re welcome to bring gloves and tools, if you want to use your own.

What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear long thick pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy, close-toed shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a raincoat or a hat and sunscreen, as appropriate.

What we provide: Gloves, tools, and instruction on how to safely use tools and remove invasive weeds. We can also provide bus fare to and from the event. Please contact info@jcwc.org to arrange bus fare.

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an attentive adult. This work is around and near prickly plants and can be challenging for young children. We recommend children ages 12 and up for this type of event.

Health and Safety: We will follow current Oregon Health Authority guidelines. Masks are not required, but encouraged in indoor spaces where social distancing is not possible. Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any contagious illness or have had recent contact with someone exhibiting symptoms of any illness.

Accessibility: This event may require standing or squatting/kneeling for long periods of time, walking over uneven ground, bending and lifting heavy objects. Bathrooms are available for this event.

Click here to RSVP

Directions to site:

By transit: Take route #73 or #10 to SE Foster & 122nd. Walk about 0.2 miles south on SE 122nd Ave to the main entrance to the garden.

By bike: Take the Springwater Corridor Trail east, then turn right on 122nd Ave. Cross SE Foster Rd, then turn left into the main entrance. Or bike east on SE Foster Rd and turn right onto SE 122nd Ave, then left into the main entrance.

By car: Take SE Foster Rd east and turn right on SE 122nd Ave. Park at the upper parking lot at the main entrance. (If you find yourself going down a steep hill you have gone too far!) Meet at the main entrance near the admissions kiosk. Do not leave any valuables in your car!

Thank you to our funders and partners for supporting watershed health. The Mintkeski Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Portland General Electric, The City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services, and Portland Parks and Recreation.

2024 Johnson Creek Clean-up!
2024-08-17 08:45 - 13:00
The Johnson Creek Clean-Up returns August 17th, 2024! This is your chance to GET IN the creek and GET OUT all the trash that has accumulated over the past year. Since 2007, volunteers like you have jumped into Johnson Creek and pulled out over 70 tons of trash from the water. Yes that’s right, over 70 tons! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get in the creek and remove litter from where it matters the most. See you there!

Arrive at your site at 8:45 am to meet your team and Creek Captain and learn how to be safe in the water. Spend ~3 hours in the creek picking up trash, then travel to Johnson Creek Park to have lunch at 12 noon.

Attention: We are having some technical difficulties with our online sign-up system. You are signed up even if you did not get a confirmation email! Reminder emails with details about your site will go out on Friday!

What: Remove trash from Johnson Creek! Get in the water or stay on land and help remove tons of trash from in and around the creek. Stick around afterward for FREE lunch, award ceremony and time to connect with your watershed community.

When: Saturday, August 17th, from 8:45 am – 1pm, including FREE lunch

Where: About a dozen sites throughout the watershed! See site descriptions below. Detailed directions to your site will be emailed to you before the event. Lunch will be at Johnson Creek Park.

How to register: Registration is open now!!

1. Carefully read the site descriptions below. Each site is different and some are more physically challenging than others.

2. Pick the site at which you want to volunteer.

3. Register for ONLY the specific site at which you will volunteer.

4. If you are coming as part of a group, each person in your group needs to register separately.

5. Check your email for site details!

How to prepare: This event will happen rain or shine, so dress for weather: rain coat, warm layers, sun hat, and sunscreen as necessary. Wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. You will be walking in the creek in your shoes. We recommend light-weight shoes like sneakers, running shoes, or breathable hiking boots that will drain easily, rather than heavy boots that will stay water-logged. Do not wear sandals, crocs, etc.–it’s not safe! However, you may want to bring an extra set of footwear to change into at the end. Bring a filled water bottle and a snack.

We will provide: Gloves and all necessary tools, plus free lunch at the end of the event. We can also provide bus fare to and from the event. Please contact marlee@jcwc.org to arrange bus fare. Sorry, we cannot provide waders for this event.

Children unfortunately are not permitted. This event involves wading in deep water and contact with potentially harmful materials, such as broken glass, and is not suitable for children. Youth 14 years old and older are welcome if accompanied by an attentive adult.

Accessibility: This event may require wading in water greater than 2 feet deep (see site descriptions for details; not all sites require wading), standing for long periods, walking over uneven ground, going up or down steep slopes, bending, and lifting heavy objects. Each site has different requirements so we can accommodate most physical ability levels. If you have questions about the physical requirements of the event, please contact marlee@jcwc.org. Plus, we have jobs for every level of physical ability! If you don’t want to get your feet wet but still want to help, check out special jobs and land based sites.

Sites and Registration

Special Jobs

Helping set-up for the post-Clean-Up celebration at Johnson Creek Park. Time commitment: approximately 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Requires: standing, potentially lifting heavy objects

Register for Special Jobs here!

All our sites are full! Thank you volunteers!

In Stream Sites

92nd Upstream

Thank you volunteers!

92nd Downstream

Thank you volunteers!

82nd Upstream

Thank you volunteers!

82nd Downstream

Thank you volunteers!

Luther Road Downstream

Thank you volunteers!

Milport Upstream

Thank you volunteers!

Milport Downstream

Thank you volunteers!

Mill Park Upstream

Thank you volunteers!

Mill Park Downstream

Thank you to Precision Castparts for adopting this site!

45th Place Upstream

Thank you to Precision Castparts for adopting this site!

Tideman Johnson Upstream

Thank you to Walker Emulsions for adopting this site!

Berkeley Place Upstream

Thank you volunteers!

Errol Heights Park

Thank you volunteers!

Johnson Creek Park Upstream

Thank you volunteers!

Cedar Crossing

Thank you volunteers!

Johnson Creek Park

Thank you volunteers!

Tideman-Johnson Park

Thank you volunteers!

Foster Floodplain

Thank you volunteers!

A huge thank you to this year’s sponsors and partners. We could not do this important work with you! Thank you Clackamas Water Environment Services, Metro Regional Refresh Fund, Mintkeski Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Portland Parks and Recreation, North Clackamas Water Environment Services, City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland General Electric, Ground Score Association, SOLVE and Junk It Portland.
