The Army Corps of Engineers has just released a Draft Environmental Assessment to rebuild the Minto Fish Collection Facility on the North Santiam River. The purpose of the facility and the associated dam is to collect fish before they continue upstream and hit the artificial barrier created by Big Cliff Dam. Most boaters know this facility as the place with the hazardous low head dam between Niagara County Park and Packsaddle County Park on the river.

As part of the project the Army Corps of Engineers proposes to build a formal trail suitable for kayaks to portage the dam--unfortunately the dam itself would not be rebuilt as part of this project and would remain as a safety hazard. Of additional concern to paddlers, this section of the river would be closed for two years during construction of the new fish collection facility. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently soliciting public feedback on their proposal through September 4, 2010. Several members have contacted us about this project and American Whitewater anticipates providing comments. We suggest that those who enjoy this river do so as well.

Paddlers can submit comments on the proposal which can be reviewed on the Army Corps of Engineers website

Minto Fish Collection Facility Rebuild, North Santiam River, Oregon
Public Notice, August 5, 2010
Draft Environmental Assessment, June 2010

Questions or comments regarding the draft EA should be directed to Mr. Gregory Smith, (503) 808-4783, Gregory.M.Smith@usace.army.mil, or at the address below. Mailed comments must be postmarked by the September 4th closing date and sent to:
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Portland
Attn: CENWP-PM-E/Greg Smith
P.O. Box 2946
Portland, Oregon 97208-2946

In your response, please refer to the above public notice number CENWP-PM-E-08-10 and project name "Minto Fish Collection Facility Rebuild on the North Santiam River, Marion County, Oregon"

Relevant sections of the Environmental Assessment that relate to the interests of whitewater paddlers include the following:

Barrier Dam, 2.2.5, Page 16
There are no plans to modify the existing dam as part of the project. Members of the paddling community have expressed an interest in safety improvements to this structure possibly including a boat chute. The EA states:
"It was decided not to make major modifications to the barrier dam in order to minimize impacts on current hydraulic conditions immediately downstream of the barrier. The NMFS exclusion barrier criteria call for either a velocity barrier or a vertical drop structure. The current barrier dam does not meet either criteria. It currently uses a combination of velocity and vertical drop (approximately 10 feet from forebay to tailrace for most flows) to prevent fish from passing. However, the barrier dam performs as an adequate barrier for the facility’s design range of 895 to 5,370 cfs river flows; when flows exceed 5,370 cfs, the barrier dam does not completely exclude fish passage along the south shore."

Kayak Landing and Portage, 2.2.8, page 17
The Army Corps of Engineers proposes building a portage trail for kayaks that would begin 400 feet upstream of the dam. The EA states:
"A kayak take-out landing, portage trail, and put-in will be constructed to facilitate safe kayak portage around the barrier dam. The take-out will be located on the north shore of the North Santiam River approximately 400 feet upstream of the barrier dam. The take-out will consist of a cleared area along the bank and the installation of a steel staircase connecting the trail to the water. The portage Minto Fish Collection Facility Rebuild Environmental Assessment will traverse the perimeter of the project along the outside of the security fencing from the take out to the railroad grade and then follow the fencing back down to the river downstream from the facility with a steel staircase descending the final steep portion of the hillside to the put-in landing on the river."

Recreation 3.7.2, page 36
"The analysis on recreational use references kayaks but does not consider rafts. The EA states:
The North Santiam River is popular for recreational fishing and boating. Currently, boating activity on the river above the barrier dam at Minto is limited to small personal watercraft such as kayaks. Most frequently, larger boats are launched at Packsaddle Park, which is below the Minto barrier dam. Smaller boats, particularly kayaks, launch at Niagara County Park or above and take out at Packsaddle Park, typically portaging around the barrier dam by walking through the existing fish facility. Some bank fishing occurs above the barrier dam where access is available. Most of the lands adjacent to the North Santiam River between the Minto facility and Big Cliff Dam are in private ownership, however some public access is available at Niagara County Park and where the North Santiam Highway runs adjacent to the river."

Recreation 4.7.2, page 43
The Army Corps of Engineers proposes a two year closure of the river from Niagara County Park to Packsaddle County Park with construction of a portage trail for kayaks to take place during that period. The EA States:
"The proposed action would have a temporary, adverse impact to recreational boaters that currently use the North Santiam River upstream from the Minto site. The North Santiam River will be closed to navigation from Niagara County Park to Packsaddle during the 2-year construction window. The proposed closure is being coordinated with the Oregon State Marine Board. However, rebuilding the Minto facility is expected to have a long-term, positive impact on recreational vessel safety once new signage is installed and the take-out above the facility and put-in below the facility are improved. Bank fishing will be unaffected by the construction activities."