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Help us with our #1 watershed priority for fish – a dam removal project.

The Baker Creek watershed

The Baker Creek watershed covers nearly 30 square miles of land area, northwest of McMinnville, in the Greater Yamhill Watershed. Tributaries to Baker Creek include Slide Mountain Creek, Devils Creek, Snake Creek and Berry Creek. The waters from Baker Creek flow into Panther Creek and from there into the North Yamhill River.

The lower portions of Baker Creek are home to Coho Salmon, Winter Chinook Salmon, Cutthroat Trout and Lamprey.

Coho Salmon

Winter Steelhead

Coastal Cutthroat

Pacific Lamprey

These fish populations are fully blocked from the upper reaches of the Baker Creek watershed by a relic hydroelectric dam known as Juliette Dam. This 20’ tall dam was installed on the creek in 1915. Today, the dam is under County ownership and is not maintained.

Julliette Dam barrier on Baker Creek

In our 2024 Strategic Plan – the Greater Yamhill Watershed Council identified removing the Julliette Dam barrier on Baker Creek as the #1 priority for improving fish passage and habitat in the watershed.

Long-term, this project will:

  • Solve fish passage and sediment transport problems
  • Help protect downstream landowners from erosion, landslides and property loss
  • Improve public safety by removing unmaintained relic infrastructure

Efforts to remove the dam started in the early 2000’s, with Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District conducting early feasibility studies. In 2025, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife added Juliete Dam to the list of priority barriers for removal throughout the state of Oregon.

The Greater Yamhill Watershed Council is partnering with Yamhill County to move this project forward. Our first step is to secure funding to complete an updated feasibility study. We need to hire technical experts to analyze the existing conditions, develop alternatives, and ultimately create a design that is best for everyone in the watershed.

Donations are being sought to get this project moving!

Donations are tax-deductible. 100% of donations will be used towards the Baker Creek dam removal project.

$0
Goal: $250,000

Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated!

Get in Touch

If you have any questions – reach out to [email protected].