The goal of the project was to improve water quality, fish passage, increase estuarine habitat and not jeopardize private property rights.

Located at River Mile 1.5 on the Skipanon River, the 8th Street Dam structure was built for the purpose of flood control in the 1950’s. It was built using three heavy doors made of steel and wood allowing very little estuarine flow beyond the structure. Since construction of the dam the health of the river has declined; rapid growth and development in Warrenton has also greatly impacted the water quality in the Skipanon. In addition, the structure has not been properly maintained leading to two of the doors falling off in past years.

In addition to degrading water quality, flooding continued, daily tide cycles were reduced and salmon were restricted from accessing habitat spawning habitat. In 1997 the Skipanon Water Control District, Skipanon Watershed Council and Clatsop Soil & Water began to research alternatives management and improvements to structure.

The design called for cutting three 3x4' holes in each door to allow for improved fish passage and estuarine flow upstream. In addition, Natural Resource Conservation Service performed flood analysis and determined the three gates could be opened Spring - Fall with little or no flood risk. Opening the gates improved water quality, fish passage and increased estuarine habitat. To open the gates, engineers design a a platform to span the distance of the opening and use hand-powered winches to lift the gates.

Since the grand opening of the dam August 2002, citizens have commented on the visual improvement of the river, a 35 fold increase in spawning salmon has been documented and water quality improvements are being monitored.

Project partners and funders included:

- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

- Fish America Foundation

- City of Warrenton

- Clatsop Soil & Water Conservation District

- CREST

- Natural Resource Conservation Service

- Skipanon Water Control District