Steigerwald Floodplain Restoration Breaks Ground
The following post was authored by Chris Lapp, Project Leader for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. After five years of planning, design and coordination, we are finally at the point of literally moving dirt – albeit a shovel’s worth. On Thursday afternoon, September 5th, 2019, the project […]
Steigerwald Reconnection Project: Construction Begins June 1st
This 20/20 Blog post is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. The Largest Restoration Project the Lower Columbia River has seen One of the mightiest rivers of the West is about to experience one of its mightiest restoration efforts. Starting June 1st, 2020, construction begins […]
Top Alternatives for Outdoor Fun During Steigerwald Lake Closure
Summer’s in full swing, but there’s one notable absence from your normal menu of outdoor options. It’s maybe even your everyday Plan A. Yeah, we know, and we feel you. Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge sets a high bar with amazing scenery and birdwatching. Lucky for all of us, our region is loaded with incredible […]
Steigerwald Reconnection: Tree Salvage
While necessary to thoughtfully remove some trees from the restoration site, in the end 400,000 new native trees, shrubs, and plants, like these cottonwoods and willows, will be placed as part of the Steigerwald Reconnection Project. Photo courtesy of Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership The following Refuge 20/20 post was written by Chris Collins and Curtis […]
Steigerwald Reconnection: Roadwork Nearly Complete
SR14 near Washougal, WA has been reduced to one lane of traffic this Summer, as crews take a stair-step approach to raising the highway to the 500-year flood level. Summer is certainly the season for roadwork and the Steigerwald Reconnection Project is no exception. Over the past three months, the Project has imposed significant changes […]
What About the Fish? Relocation at Steigerwald Lake NWR
The “fish salvage” crew found a bounty of life in Gibbons Creek, like this fresh water mussel pictured here. The keen observer may have noticed that the Steigerwald Reconnection Project involves dewatering Gibbons Creek. So a logical question is, “What happens to all the fish and other aquatic species already living in the Creek?” I’m […]
A ‘Big Year’ for Steigerwald Reconnection: Summer Recap
This 20/20 Blog post was written by Jared Strawderman from the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, with significant contributions from Doug Kreuzer, Curtis Helm, and Chris Collins of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. For you birders, you’re probably familiar with the ‘Big Year’ concept, doing your best to see all the birds you can see in […]