For decades, an obsolete concrete dam at Balm Grove impeded fish passage.

For decades, an obsolete concrete dam at Balm Grove impeded fish passage.

Neighbors and partners came together on-site in 2019 to discuss plans for the dam's removal.

Neighbors and partners came together on-site in 2019 to discuss plans for the dam's removal.

Aerial view of the construction site, showing the diversion channel, access culverts, cofferdam and dam. Water pumps beside the dam channel water into an adjacent field (top right).

Aerial view of the construction site, showing the diversion channel, access culverts, cofferdam and dam. Water pumps beside the dam channel water into an adjacent field (top right).

A seine net prevents fish from coming back upstream into the job site after they have been salvaged.

A seine net prevents fish from coming back upstream into the job site after they have been salvaged.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our partners, more than 600 salmonids were salvaged in the dam removal process.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our partners, more than 600 salmonids were salvaged in the dam removal process.

Crews capture the remaining fish, count and catalog them, and then reinsert them downstream.

Crews capture the remaining fish, count and catalog them, and then reinsert them downstream.

Removal of the dam opened up more than 35 miles of prime habitat.

Removal of the dam opened up more than 35 miles of prime habitat.

Community members and partners attended an open house celebrating the dam’s removal.

Community members and partners attended an open house celebrating the dam’s removal.

Partners will continue to monitor site conditions to promote ecological health and to protect this critical fish habitat for generations to come.

Partners will continue to monitor site conditions to promote ecological health and to protect this critical fish habitat for generations to come.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Previous Next
For decades, an obsolete concrete dam at Balm Grove impeded fish passage.
Neighbors and partners came together on-site in 2019 to discuss plans for the dam's removal.
Aerial view of the construction site, showing the diversion channel, access culverts, cofferdam and dam. Water pumps beside the dam channel water into an adjacent field (top right).
A seine net prevents fish from coming back upstream into the job site after they have been salvaged.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our partners, more than 600 salmonids were salvaged in the dam removal process.
Crews capture the remaining fish, count and catalog them, and then reinsert them downstream.
Removal of the dam opened up more than 35 miles of prime habitat.
Community members and partners attended an open house celebrating the dam’s removal.
Partners will continue to monitor site conditions to promote ecological health and to protect this critical fish habitat for generations to come.

Since 2005, regional partners have been collaborating to restore the Tualatin River Watershed.

Today, they are exploring what comes next.