Kelly Creek Dam Removal and Restoration Project

Overview: The Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) campus in Gresham, Oregon covers the confluence of Beaver Creek and Kelly Creek, the lowermost tributaries in the Sandy River Basin, a tributary to the Columbia River and regional salmon stronghold. Kelly Creek bisects the MHCC campus where it contains a 70-ft tall dam and a 2-acre impoundment that is a total fish passage barrier and increases stream temperatures 4-6C. 

Riverlogic serves as the Owner's Representative and Project Manager supporting the Mt. Hood Community College and key partners. In 2024, Riverlogic produced a project planning framework with key strategies and documentation, coordinated partners and prospective funders, prepared two grant applications and secured funding to initiate the project and advance through preliminary design, performed project scoping, provided college procurement support, among other critical aspects of project development (Phase 1). The Project is currently in Phase 2, with Riverlogic leading Project Management, regulatory consultation, fundraising, and contract management. This includes overseeing technical site studies and development of a preliminary design package and project delivery Class 4 cost estimate.

Project Elements:

• Removal of 70ft tall dam

• Replace the dam with a bridge to maintain college campus connectivity (pedestrian, emergency service vehicles, utilities) across Kelly Creek

• Stream and floodplain restoration 

• Provide viewing platform and access to support student interaction and educational opportunities.

• Engagement of faculty, students, and public from surrounding disadvantaged communities to incorporate feedback into design.

Project Benefits:

• Water Quality: decrease downstream water temperatures and restore free-flowing conditions

• Species resiliency: provide volitional fish passage to 4 mi of potential spawning and juvenile rearing habitat

• Maintain campus connectivity (pedestrian, emergency service vehicles, utilities) across Kelly Creek

• Produce educational opportunities including interactive learning, scientific research and real-world laboratory for student involvement.

• Collaboratively and equitably engage key partners and surrounding communities.