Neskowin’s Watershed

From the Districts 2012 report on our Watershed.

The Hawk Creek Watershed contains a variety of different forest conditions and ownerships. Water quality and habitat conditions are most affected by that of the Nestucca Forests L.L.C ownership (NF), which comprises a single large block in the heart
of the watershed, and includes most headwaters and streams. Most of the NF ownership is
comprised of even-aged stands dominated by western hemlock, managed in large blocks.
Most NF lands have either been harvested in the last 10-30 years, have been recently clear-cut, or are mature and ready for cutting. Enhanced markets for mid-sized hemlock and spruce increase the likelihood that these remaining older stands will be harvested soon. Provisions to protect water quality appear to have been limited to following minimum requirements of the Oregon State Forest Practices Act (F.P.A), and few headwaters streams have forested buffers exceeding F.P.A minimums. Increased harvest pressures on the NF ownership will likely lead to increased sedimentation, elevated water temperatures, and more dynamic flow regimes for the Hawk Creek water system.