In-stream Work Weekend

Date: Saturday, August 23 (8:30 am) - Sunday, August 24 (3:00 pm)

Location: We will meet at Harry Gardner Park in Toutle, WA

Description: 2025 marks the first of several years of work planned at Salmon Creek, a Cowlitz River tributary located in Lewis County. We will be building structures along several miles of stream to create habitat for fish and other aquatic species. These structures will also provide natural water treatment by filtering sediment and pollutants which will improve drinking water quality for the towns of Vader and Castle Rock.

Our In-stream Work Weekend will involve one of two tasks. We will either be conducting extensive surveys of the stream to know where we will build structures OR we will be adding to slash to structures built earlier in the summer. Our in-stream work goes through an extensive permitting process so we will not know until early summer if we can begin building structures. 

This will be an overnight trip and campsites at a developed campground will be provided. Due to the location of this project and the training that will be provided for conducting surveys or building structures, we are unable to accommodate requests to join for a single day.

Work Conditions: This will be a physically demanding trip. Conducting surveys or building structures will require walking through clear cuts to access the stream and then working in and along the water. This will involve navigating across uneven terrain and over obstacles. To build structures, we will use loppers and other tools to cut and install vegetation. These tasks will require lifting arms above shoulder level and repetitive motion. 

Gear: Please bring rubber boots or waders, appropriate layers for the weather, sun protection, a daypack to carry your gear in the field, enough food for Saturday and Sunday, water, and camping equipment. There will be a place to refill water on Saturday evening. You may find a trekking pole or walking stick helpful for getting to the work sites.

CFC will provide gloves and tools. We also have rubber boots available to borrow. Your registration confirmation will include a complete gear list and information on how to borrow boots. 

Transportation and Vehicle Access: Please contact us at trips@cascadeforest.org if transportation is a barrier to participation. We can arrange carpools if necessary. Our work sites will be several miles from the nearest paved road.