The existing roadway at the White River and Clark and Newton Creek crossings restricts the debris flows and channel movement, resulting in an unfavorable situation for both the road and the natural systems. Highway 35 is major state highway providing regional transportation service as well as access to the Mt. Hood National Forest and other destinations. Damage caused by debris flows from the slopes of Mount Hood through the White River and East Fork Hood River areas has resulted in frequent and costly repairs over the last 20 to 30 years, placing a severe burden on the limited resources available for road repairs and negatively affecting the natural environment. The existing roadway at the White River and Clark and Newton Creek crossings restricts the debris flows and channel movement, resulting in an unfavorable situation for both the road and the drainage systems.
WFLHD completed a study of seven damage-prone sites along Oregon Highway 35 in July of 2003. The study was in response to growing concern over the ongoing need for the emergency repair of debris flow damage to Highway 35. The study included seven historically damaged sites in the White River and East Fork Hood River areas. The study identified and evaluated feasible alternatives for each site that would reduce the severity of the debris flow problem. The costs and benefits of alternatives were discussed, including impacts to travel times, safety, maintenance, natural floodplains, recreation, plants, animals and aesthetics.
In November 2006, a debris flow event damaged Highway 35 at three of the seven study sites—White River, Clark Creek, and Newton Creek. The event closed the highway, creating transportation problems, restricting access to recreational sites within the Forest, and requiring costly repairs. In May 2007, Emergency Relief funding from FHWA was identified for long term improvements to Highway 35. Through the request of ODOT, WFLHD became the lead agency in developing alternatives, with the USFS and ODOT acting as partner agencies.
WFLHD is proposing to use the alternatives and information in the 2003 Feasibility Study as baseline information to move forward with further information gathering and alternative development in the project scoping process. Due to the different drainages affected and different issues at each site, WFLHD is proposing to address the problems at White River as one project and the problem at Clark and Newton Creek in another project.
Documents and Updates
- Public Comments and Responses (Acrobat, 45 KB)
- Public Notice (Acrobat, 1.2 MB)
- Public Notice (Acrobat, 44 KB)
- 2003 Feasibility Study (Acrobat, 19.5 MB)
Contacts
Federal Highway AdministrationWestern Federal Lands Highway Division
610 East Fifth Street
Vancouver, WA 98661-3801
Greg Gifford, Project Manager
Project Email Address: or_erfo2007@mail.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov