Conservation Issues

Why are Wetlands Important?
Protection of the Wildlife Area
St. Johns Landfill
Water Management
Non-native Plants and Animals
Water Quality

Why are Wetlands Important?

Wetlands such as Smith and Bybee Lakes are important because they provide:

• Flood control: wetlands act as natural storage areas for storm water.
• Natural water filters for excess nutrients and some chemical contaminants, thus improving water quality
• Habitat for wildlife.
• Fish habitat and fisheries, including resting places for juvenile salmon.
• Open spaces with educational, recreational and aesthetic values.
• Groundwater recharge, the movement of surface water into groundwater.

Protection of the Wildlife Area

Historically, Smith and Bybee lakes were part of a vast floodplain near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.  Old aerial photographs of Smith and Bybee lakes from the 1930s show extensive wetlands with a maze of channels and sloughs, ponds, lakes, marshes and forests.  Years of dredging, diking, filling, land clearing and development in the area, along with dam building on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, have changed the landscape.  The wetlands are now surrounded by the warehouses, factories, railroad yards and port terminals of the Rivergate Industrial District, along with the St. John's landfill.

Fortunately, the remaining wetlands are protected by a management plan.  The Natural Resources Management Plan for Smith and Bybee Lakes (NRMP) was adopted in 1990 as an ordinance by the City of Portland and Metro Regional Government.  The NRMP designates Metro as the manager of the lakes.  The goals of the NRMP state that the lakes "will be maintained and enhanced, to the extent possible, in a manner that is faithful to their original natural condition."   In accordance with the NRMP, the Smith and Bybee Lakes Management Committee was formed to provide recommendations and general oversight of the management area.  The Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes has a representative on this committee.

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St. Johns Landfill

The St. Johns Landfill, comprising about 250 acres, contains 50 years of Portland's garbage.  The landfill was closed in 1991.  The landfill site lies within the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area.  The site is managed by Metro's Solid Waste and Recycling Department.  The landfill has been capped and non-native grasses are now grown over the site.  Methane gas is being captured and sold to local industry.  The possibility of contaminated leachate seeping into surface and groundwater is a major concern.  Metro Solid Waste and Recycling maintains groundwater monitoring wells in the wildlife area.

In October 2003, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a closure permit for the landfill.   The permit requires that Metro conduct a Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study (RI/FS) to assess the risks to human health and ecological receptors.  This process will take several years and will culminate in a record of decision by DEQ, including recommendations for further remedial action and long-term monitoring requirements for the site.

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Water Management

A water control structure was completed in November 2003.  The structure, designed by Ducks Unlimited, allows control of  the water flow between the North Slough (a fork of the Columbia Slough) and Bybee Lake.  Water can flow freely through or be held back, depending on management decisions.  The structure allows fish passage to and from the lakes.

Historically, the lakes were a tidal freshwater marsh.  Much of the area was naturally flooded during the winter and spring.  In late summer and fall, the lakes become very shallow, exposing areas of mudflats.  The water control structure allows Metro to imitate these natural hydrologic conditions.

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Non-native Plants and Animals

Several non-native plants have invaded the wildlife area, as well as other wetlands in the lower Columbia River estuary.  These plants often crowd out the native plants, degrading the habitat.  Most  invasive plants provide little or no food value for wildlife.  Problem exotic plant species at Smith and Bybee Wetlands include reed canary grass, purple loosestrife and Himalayan blackberry.  Removal of non-native plants and replanting of natives is ongoing at the lakes.  To control purple loosestrife in the wetlands along the Columbia River, government agencies have released specific beetle species that feed on the plants.

Nutria look similar to beavers, but are slightly smaller and have round rat-like tails.  Nutria were introduced to Oregon from South America and were raised for their fur.  When there was no market for their fur, they were released into the wild where they have multiplied.  Nutria burrow into the banks, causing erosion. They also compete for habitat with the native muskrat.

Another problem species at the wildlife area is the bullfrog.  Bullfrogs have thrived at many sites around the lakes and elsewhere in Oregon.  The bullfrog eats other small animals including native frogs and young turtles.

Carp are bottom feeding fish that were introduced from Europe.  Carp stir up the sediments in the lakes, making it very difficult for aquatic plants to survive.  The population of carp in the lakes had been quite large until the current water control structure was implemented.

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Illegal dumping has been a problem at the lakes over the years. The Friends help with cleanup.

Water Quality

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is required by the federal Clean Water Act to maintain a list of water bodies that do not meet water quality standards. In DEQ's 2002 303(d) database, both Smith Lake and Bybee Lake are listed as "impaired" for the following reasons:

• pH

• Aquatic Weeds or Algae

Water management that restores seasonal flooding and tidal patterns may alleviate these problems.  DEQ is preparing a new list for 2004.  For further information see DEQ Water Quality.  

References and Acknowledgements

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