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Bureau of Land Management
Salem District

BLM: Oregon
CASCADE STREAMWATCH TRAIL

[image: Family looking at outdoor mounted map of trail.]

WELCOME TO CASCADE STREAMWATCH

Immerse yourself in the world of water...

A very special experience awaits you as you visit Cascade Streamwatch. Here, people of all ages and abilities can learn first hand about watersheds and salmon. Follow the winding trail and explore the connections between people, rivers, wetlands and animals that live here. Discover, learn and enjoy!

[image: Family looking though windows on the streamwatch trail]

CASCADE STREAMWATCH STORY

"Scientists for a day, stewards for life"

Cascade Streamwatch is both a place and an innovative education program. The Cascade Streamwatch project is a ten-year collaborative effort by the Bureau of Land Management, U S. Forest Service, and the non-profit educational organization Wolftree, Inc. to create an opportunity for people to learn about, observe and appreciate some of the Northwest's foremost resources -- water and salmon. Together they, and many other partners, have created one of the premier interpretive sites and science-based resource education programs in the Pacific Northwest. Teachers, schools, businesses, agency staff and people like you have contributed ideas, time and assistance in developing this very special effort.

[image: infromation booth along the trail]

Experience the magic of rivers and celebrate the miracle of salmon!

CASCADE STREAMWATCH TRAIL

A paved and accessible 3/4 mile trail runs adjacent to the Salmon River. Numerous interpretive displays, signs and models focusing on watershed and fisheries are found along this 60 to 90 minute walk. The highlight of the trail is a unique stream viewing building where you can see an underwater "fisheye" view of a stream.

Trails to explore... Wildlife to view!

[image: Handicapped access logo]

The accessible five foot wide trail is paved with a resin product made from trees! This eliminated the need to use petroleum-based asphalt in the fragile riparian area. Boardwalks and ramps offer accessible grades of 8% or less.

[image: bicycle with a slash though it]

Bicycles are allowed along roads but on not the Cascade Streamwatch, Wildwood Wetland Boardwalk and forest trails. Please walk you bikes or park and lock them without blocking trails.

Welcome to Cascade Streamwatch
— a world of wild water and wild fish

Do you ever feel like you're swimming againist the current?
Swamped in a raging tottent of activity?
Nothing but flies and insects on the dinner table?
You've come to the right place.

[image: map of Cascade Streamwatch trail with marked points of interest]

Everywhere water travels.... life follows. — Linda Hogan

Immerse yourself in the mysterious world of wild water and wild fish. Think like a fish and tune in to the water's call. Listen as It lures you down a trail of forest, stream, and river. Exciting exhibits and other discoveries a wait your search. Watch for the salmon symbols in the trail and trail signs to guide your way.

CASCADE STREAMWATCHTRAIL

1. Orientation and Information Kiosk
The entrance kiosk provides maps and information on the Cascade Streamwatch and Wildwood Wetland trails as well as other facilities available at the Wildwood site.

2. Trail Entry and Streamwalk
Visitors to the trail are greeted by several life-size stainless steel chinook salmon splashing through a cluster of boulders. Completed by Oregon artist Norris Peterson, the sculptures invite visitors into a world of fish, stream and forest. The first few feet of the trail represent the important components of Cascades stream habitats-- boulders, logs and rootwads. Follow the sound of rushing water as the trail leads to an overlook of the Salmon River.

[image: statue of fish swimming over rocks]

3. River Overlook
The River Overlook provides views of Boulder Ridge and the rushing Wild and Scenic Salmon River. This pristine river originates at the Palmer Snowfield on the flanks of Mt. Hood near Timberline Lodge and joins the Sandy River three miles downstream from here. Flows range from over 11,000 cubic feet per second during floods to as little as 100 cfs during dry summers. From the overlook, the trail follows the river along the top of the steep river terrace.

Watch for unusually large stumps with springboard notches -- remnants of early logging -- these huge trees were cut by hand over 70 years ago! The trail then winds along a boardwalk as it descends toward the river.

Remember to look for the symbols of salmon set in the trail to guide your way!

4. Watershed Watch
Located on a short spur trail along a terrace just above the river, a three-dimensional scale model of Mt. Hood area shows the 508 square mile Salmon/Sandy River watershed. Another short trail leads to the river and offers a tree-filtered view of Mt. Hood.

5. Hidden World of Small Streams
This side-channel stream is very important "off-channel" habitat for young salmon and steelhead, providing shelter and food. Coho salmon also prefer small streams like this for spawning. The trail leads right to the stream's edge where visitors can gain a close-up view of the stream community and occasionally see adult salmon in the fall.

6. Forest Gifts
By dropping leaves into the stream, trees and vegetation provide the energy to run this ecosystem! Insects and larvae eat the leaves and they, in turn, are food for fish. Watch for the "story poles" along the trail that explore the role of salmon in Northwest life and culture.

7. Underwater Viewing Structure
Underwater windows provide a unique and accessible "fish eye view" of stream habitat and fish. Fingerling and juvenile salmon, trout and steelhead can be seen swimming and feeding in the shelter of logs and root wads. Crayfish, insect larvae and snails feed and thrive in the rocks of the stream bottom. For the lucky visitor, adult coho salmon are occasionally seen from late October to mid-December.

8. Big Fish of the River
During the fall and winter, salmon and steelhead spawn at this bend in the river. Salmon return to the river of their birth by using their keen sense of smell -- which is a million times better than a humans!

9. Stream Keeper Stories
In 1993, this side-channel was restored by reconnecting it to the river through an old flood control levee. Over a half-mile of critical "off-channel" habitat was created to provide a home to thousands of young salmon and steelhead. Numerous man-made log jams were placed in the Salmon River to provide more shelter for fish.

10. Return Trail
Visitors can return to the upper parking lot by traveling back up the hill on the same trail along the boardwalk or by taking a gravel short cut trail back to the west end of the parking lot.

11. Salmon River Group Shelter
This 50-person picnic shelter is designed for year-round use by students and education programs. The shelter is also available to the public on a first-come, first-serve reservation basis. Contact the BLM for rental information.

[image: Salmon River Group Shelter.]

Remember, protecting watersheds is everyone's business! Thank you for visiting Cascade Streamwatch.

Salmon Wild and Scenic River

Visitors of all ages enjoy the sights and sounds of the Salmon River. The Salmon is nationally recognized for its outstanding anadromous fish runs, recreation opportunities and scenery. The 33-mile Salmon River is the only river in the lower 48 states protected as a National Wild and Scenic River for its entire length -- from its headwaters on Mt. Hood to its confluence with the Sandy River near Brightwood. Wildwood is a wonderful place to enjoy this national treasure, please help us keep it that way!

Location and Information

Cascade Streamwatch is located within the BLM's Wildwood Recreation Site, 39 miles east of Portland on Highway 26, near Welches, Oregon. If you would like more information about this or other BLM recreation sites, please contact:

Bureau of Land Management
Salem District Office
1717 Fabry Road
Salem, OR 97306
503-375-5646

Tips for enjoying your Cascade Streamwatch experience:

• Please leash and pick up after your pet.
• Clean up after picnics and leave sites cleaner than you found them.
• No glass containers by the river! Amplified music is not allowed.
• Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.
• No fishing, swimming or wading in the side-, stream or near the viewing window.

BLM/OR/WA/GA-98/039-4800

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