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Mill Creek Research Project
Launched in 2025 by CastawayWU, the Mill Creek Research Project is a continous student-driven montering study, on baseline water quality in Salem’s Mill Creek and Mill Race watersheds. This initiative helps 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.
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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