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Clackamas River Corridor Strategic Plan
In 2020, Mt. Hood National Forest and surrounding communities experienced catastrophic wildfire events that damaged recreational sites and transportation assets along the Clackamas River corridor and have impacted visitation to the forest. The corridor has historically provided recreation opportunities including developed campgrounds, day use sites, fishing, river access points for whitewater recreation, and trailheads. The post-wildfire landscape has created both opportunities and constraints for future development and use. While there is a critical need to restore and rebuild damaged infrastructure, there is also an opportunity to rethink and enhance the recreational and travel experience in these areas.
Project Study Area and Goals
The Forest, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated a strategic planning effort for recreation and transportation use along the Clackamas River Hwy. 224 corridor. The Clackamas River Corridor Strategic Plan will build on previous post-wildfire assessments using feedback from tribes and community members on their vision for the future of the corridor. The project will focus on five heavily-impacted recreation sites (Roaring River, Fish Creek, Lazy Bend, Sunstrip, and Indian Henry campgrounds) and more broadly on the 19-miles between the Forest boundary and the intersection of Forest Roads 46 and 57 near Rainbow Campground (click here for a map of the study area).
The goals of this strategic planning process are to:
- Identify opportunities and constraints to user/traveler experience along the Clackamas River corridor
- Engage with tribes and community members to define the desired future conditions and vision for the corridor
- Synthesize available data and community feedback to inform necessary improvements at five heavily impacted recreation sites and along the corridor
- Develop a Site Improvement Implementation Plan for repairing and reopening the five recreation sites and summarize community feedback received to support additional corridor master planning.
How Can I Participate?
The project team hosted a series of community visioning workshops in June 2023 to learn more about the opportunities and constraints for re-imagined recreation and travel along the Clackamas River corridor.
If you were not able to attend one of the Community Visioning Workshops, please take a minute to share your thoughts using the following survey links, which will be available until Thursday, August 31:
- Virtual Feedback Form – This short survey allows you to provide general feedback on Clackamas River corridor issues and opportunities.
- Map Comment Tool – This mapping tool is available if you have specific feedback on a heavily-impacted recreation site (Lazy Bend, Fish Creek, Roaring River, Sunstrip, and Indian Henry).
The Forest and FHWA intend to engage with a variety of community members, with a focus on those who have traditionally been left out of the planning process. This includes those who are Black, Indigenous, or part of a community of color, people who are LGBTQ+, people living in poverty, young people, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Stay Informed
The Corridor Study’s anticipated timeline is approximately 8 months (March - October 2023). Public workshop opportunities occurred in June 2023. To stay up to date, visit this project page regularly or contact Project Manager, Morai Helfen, or FHWA Project Manager, Jamie Lemon, for more information.