Mill Creek Tributary B

Completed: 10/2026

An Important Creek in the Trask River Watershed

Mill Creek is the largest lowland tributary of the Trask River, draining approximately 5 square miles and entering the Trask just upstream of reach-of-tide. This important location and its high habitat quality, makes Mill Creek’s tributaries important for fish spawning and rearing habitat in Tillamook County. On Tributary B, replacing a perched culvert with a bridge will enable native migratory salmonids to move upstream to utilize the habitat. The bridge will provide safe access for the landowners that live nearby.  

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership project managers worked hard to write grants and gain funding from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Additional funding came from Trout Unlimited which held National Oceanic Atmospheric Association funding and awarded TEP as a subrecipient.

Working Together to Save all the Fish

In September 2026 the project started with a fish salvage. A fish salvage happens when the water is diverted around the construction site, and all the left over lamprey, fish, salamanders and other animals are rescued and moved downstream. With the help of many partners including Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Trout Unlimited’s Salmon SuperHwy Partnership, the fish salvage was a success. 

This project wouldn’t have been possible without partnership. Thank you to Trout Unlimited, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, River Design Group, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Tillamook County Public Works, Tillamook Bay Watershed Council, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bent LLC., McGee Engineering, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.