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Mill Creek Research Project
Launched in 2025 by Castaway E.C.S. Association, the Mill Creek Research Project is a year-long, student-driven environmental study focused on baseline water quality monitoring in Salem’s Mill Creek and Mill Race watersheds. This initiative fills a 20+ year published data gap using EPA-grade methods to measure temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and PH levels—critical indicators for aquatic life and health. The project supports salmonoid habitat restoration, public health risk reduction, and Indigenous food sovereignty, while giving students real-world research experience. Funded by the CAFES grant and guided by Willamette University faculty, the MCRP bridges science, civic engagement, and environmental justice in Oregon’s capital.
Our monitoring sites span key points along Mill Creek and the Mill Race, allowing for comprehensive, year-long observation of local waterway conditions. In partnership with the City of Salem, we are integrating their existing water quality monitoring data with our own field-based testing, creating a more detailed and up-to-date picture of watershed health.
While the City provides essential baseline data on general water quality indicators, our research places particular emphasis on methylmercury—a highly toxic contaminant with serious ecological and public health implications. Through bi-monthly sampling and EPA-standard analysis, we are generating new, community-accessible data on this underreported pollutant.
By combining municipal datasets with original field research, we aim to deliver actionable insights for restoration planning, health risk mitigation, and long-term conservation efforts across Salem’s waterways.
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