McKenzie Watershed Council

This , we're back with more ! With in-water work already underway at the South Fork Floodplain reconnection project, today we ask: “Why reconnect the floodplain?” This week we’ll explore the many economic benefits of floodplain reconnection.

Taking care of our watersheds just makes cents! According to an April 2026 report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), restoring healthy watersheds provides economic value to the community in a number of ways, including:

💧 Lowering drinking water costs by restoring natural filtration processes that remove pollutants from the water supply, reducing infrastructure costs.

🏠 Increasing property value of nearby lands. Properties near high quality waters are attractive to homeowners and businesses.

🚣 Increasing recreation opportunity by preserving high quality waterways and watersheds so that visitors want to continue visiting.

😌 Increase quality of life and health benefits such as physical and mental health benefits from visiting natural areas and parks. Over time, this can provide significant savings in health care costs.

🌊 Reducing natural hazard costs by protecting communities from expensive damage, clean-up costs, and decreased economic activity caused by floods and wildfires by restoring natural infrastructure to prevent them.

🎣 Sustaining subsistence hunting, fishing, and foraging by keeping water clean and habitat intact.

👷 Providing millions of jobs nationwide, as well as bringing state and federal dollars to local contractors and enhancing conditions for all whose livelihoods are supported by clean water.

For more information and examples of these economic benefits in action, check out the EPA report: https://www.epa.gov/hwp/benefits-healthy-watersheds

The image shows the South Fork of the McKenzie River in Phase 3 of the project area. The river bends toward the camera with mountains filling in the background.

📷Carla Rothenbuecher

Don't forget to join us for the second spring naturescaping workshop! We'll be in Leaburg next Thurs (5/21) at 6pm for another great presentation from PWP's Landscape Designer on how to design and tend a beautiful garden of native plants. 🪻🌺🌻
https://www.facebook.com/events/1597866548106965

Send a message to learn more

The upcoming McKenzie Watershed Council meeting will feature a presentation from Lara Colley (MWC), Carla Rothenbuecher (USFS), and John Trimble (MRT) on the upcoming floodplain reconnection project on the South Fork McKenzie River. The meeting is scheduled for April 9th, at McKenzie Fire & Rescue (42870 McKenzie Hwy) in Leaburg. The presentation will run from 5:25pm - 6:15pm, we encourage any interested members of the public to join!