Tree work is scheduled at the Vida McKenzie Community Center during the week of November 16–20.
Brinks will be completing tree work on the property, and the Helfrich Landing boat ramp and parking lot will be temporarily closed during this time. The closure will provide the tree crews with adequate space to safely bring down the trees.
We encourage local boaters, guides, outfitters, and community members to plan accordingly and make alternative arrangements during this period.
Please help spread the word to anyone who may be planning to use the ramp. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this work is completed!
If you spend time on the McKenzie River this season, you may notice something new at local boat landings, community markets, and fly shops: free McKenzie River Clean-Up bags available for river users.
This simple project is rooted in the shared goal of protecting the health and cleanliness of the McKenzie River for everyone who relies on and enjoys it. Whether you’re guiding trips, floating with family, fishing, kayaking, or simply spending a summer afternoon on the water, we all play a role in caring for this incredible resource.
The idea is straightforward: carry a clean-up bag or trash bag in your boat and pack out any litter you come across during your day on the river. Even small efforts can make a meaningful impact over the course of a busy river season.
From forgotten cans and fishing line to small pieces of plastic debris, every item removed helps preserve the health and beauty of the McKenzie for future generations.
The free clean-up bags are funded by the McKenzie Masters, a local non-profit organization, in partnership with the McKenzie River Guides Association.
We’re grateful for the community members, guides, businesses, and volunteers who continue to support initiatives that protect the river we all care deeply about.
If you’re heading out on the water this season, consider grabbing a bag and helping leave the river better than you found it. A small effort from each of us goes a long way toward protecting the McKenzie River.
Earlier this season, I attended the Outfitter and Guide Meeting hosted by the Willamette National Forest Service to stay up to date on special use permits and ongoing projects on the McKenzie River.
One of the most impactful presentations came from district fish biologist Carla, who shared updates on the South Fork McKenzie River Floodplain Enhancement Project—a multi-phase effort led by the McKenzie Watershed Council and aimed at restoring critical habitat and improving river health.
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A Look Back: Phases I & II
Restoration work on the South Fork has already made significant progress.
Phase I (2018): Successfully reconnected over 150 acres of floodplain.
Phase II (2019): Expanded restoration upstream, reconnecting an additional 20+ acres across a 0.6-mile stretch of river.
These efforts have helped reestablish more natural river flow patterns and improve habitat complexity.
What’s Coming: Phase III (2026)
Phase III is scheduled to take place from May through September 2026, and it represents a major step forward—covering approximately 1,900 acres of restoration.
Currently, sections of the South Fork are constrained to a single, incised channel—about 13 feet deep—with large cobble substrate and steep berms. This limits the river’s connection to its surrounding floodplain and reduces habitat quality.
The upcoming work aims to reverse that.
Project Goals
The primary objectives of Phase III include:
Reconnecting the river to its floodplain
Improving water quality and substrate conditions
Increasing resilience to wildfire impacts
Restoring wetlands
Enhancing habitat for endangered species, including bull trout and Chinook salmon
How the Work Will Be Done
This is a hands-on, large-scale restoration effort that includes:
Regrading sections of the river and creating diversion channels
Filling incised channels to raise the riverbed and reconnect flows
Carefully collecting and relocating all organisms
Removing invasive species
Placing and anchoring large woody debris and slash to create habitat structure
Rehabilitating disturbed areas after construction
Why It Matters
For those of us who work and recreate on the McKenzie, this project is about more than restoration—it’s about long-term river health.
A connected floodplain supports better fish populations, improves water quality, and creates a more dynamic, resilient river system. These changes will benefit not only endangered species, but also the broader ecosystem—and everyone who depends on it.
