Ecola Creek Watershed Council

The Ecola Creek Watershed Council (ECWC) was formed in 1997 and officially designated a council by Clatsop County commissioners on August 5, 1997. The council is composed of interested private citizens, landowners, and representatives from natural resource agencies, private timber industry, special districts, and the city of Cannon Beach.
All ECWC meetings are open to the public. The organizational structure consists of a steering committee that brings issues before the entire watershed council. All decisions are made by consensus at general meetings of the council. The ECWC has no regulatory authority.
The Ecola Creek watershed
The Ecola Creek watershed is an area of 821.88 square miles located in the southwest corner of Clatsop County on the northern coast of Oregon, 80 miles west of Portland. Ecola Creek drains a watershed of approximately 22 square miles directly into the Pacific Ocean, passing through the town of Cannon Beach. The entire basin lies within six miles of the Pacific Ocean and the maximum elevation is 3,075 feet along the ridge of mountains in the southwestern border of the watershed. Onion Peak is just southeast of this ridge standing at an elevation of 3,065 feet. Elevations along the eastern boundary of the watershed vary widely, but generally lie within 1500 to 2000 foot range.
The predominant land use in the Ecola Creek watershed is commercial forestry. The Ecola Creek watershed is an important resource providing municipal water to the City of Cannon Beach, while also providing recreational opportunities like fishing, and hiking. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife considers Ecola Creek West Fork a core area for coho salmon.
Ecola Creek Watershed Assessment
The Ecola Creek Watershed Assessment, completed in May 2001, is the outcome of countless hours of community involvement. It's the only assessment in Oregon completed without hiring an independent consulting firm. Rather, the council decided to hire local, knowledgeable personnel and stay closely tied to the project. The results are a very usable manual directing the council to fulfill its mission of watershed restoration.

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