HOOD RIVER — A free, public tour of the lower section of the Powerdale Corridor will explore locations and possibilities for watershed restoration on Thursday, June 13 from 5-7 p.m.
The Powerdale Corridor is about 400 acres along three miles of the Hood River, just outside the City of Hood River. For nearly a century, the land was owned by a utility company who operated the Powerdale Hydroelectric Project. After removal of the Powerdale Dam in 2010, Columbia Land Trust and Hood River County accepted ownership of the property, in 2013.
“This created a prime opportunity to implement native fish habitat restoration projects and manage the land for conservation values and low impact recreation, especially considering that the mainstem Hood River has the greatest number of native fish species and life stages of any area in the watershed,” read a press release.
The Watershed Group, Columbia Land Trust, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and other basin partners have initiated a process to evaluate feasibility and prioritize habitat enhancement projects there.
The tour will share information on this process, and visit several potential project areas. The group will meet at the Powerdale Powerhouse parking area at 5 p.m. and return by 7 p.m. Bring sturdy walking shoes and water.
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