Community Vision for the Mill Race & Mill Pond

For many years, civic leaders have recognized the potential of this waterway as a valuable community asset. Rich with history and natural values, the Mill Race offers a host of economic, recreational, educational, and environmental opportunities.

The City of Springfield, in cooperation with the Willamalane Park & Recreation District, and with the support of Lane County and the Chamber of Commerce, entered into an agreement with the Rivers Trails & Conservation Program of the National Park Service. The purpose was to develop a community vision for water management and multiple use of the Springfield Mill Race.

A panel of citizens including property owners, community leaders, leaders of special interest groups and technical experts helped develop the Mill Race Concept. The Mill Race Concept helped increase public interest and support, promote stewardship, and improve funding opportunities for construction of a permanent inlet structure.

The vision presented here in these web pages reflects the diversity and complexity of the Mill Race as viewed by the citizen advisory group.

(back to top)

Mill Race Concept: Key Elements, Goals & Strategies

Economic Revitalization: Promote economic opportunities - possibly through establishment of a farmers market, development of a waterside park, a logging museum, boat & bicycle rental, creating better access from downtown & for businesses, etc.

Amenities: Develop recreational & educational features - possibilities include canoe launching areas & facilities, a network of pedestrian & bicycle trails, fishing access, establishing an outdoor educational curriculum, etc.

Stewardship: Enhance wildlife habitat by possibly establishing habitat for trout & bass, implementing Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) standards & guidelines for habitat protection, erecting fish screens for salmon & steelhead at the inlet & outfall, etc.

Protect Character of the Area: Suggestions include preserving the diversity of the adjacent land uses, maintaining industrial opportunities in the Industrial area, increasing views on/from the Mill Race, conserve the agricultural uses in the Rural areas, preserve open space, control / limit pedestrian & car access in Riverine areas, promote water-related development in the Urban area, establish educational / interpretive facilities in appropriate areas, etc.

Water Resource Management: Increase water quality - possibly by constructing an inlet structure, establishing minimum flow requirements, managing flows to accommodate Corp of Engineers release schedule / stormwater discharge & flood control functions, regulate non-permitted water consumption, encourage water conservation for all Mill Race users, identify & pre-treat sources of point & non-point pollution, coordinate with SUB & Willamette Water Co. as they pursue wellhead protection, develop water quality education programs, establish scientific monitoring of the Mill Race, dredge the Mill Pond, protect existing wetlands, meet or exceed Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality standards, establish riparian setbacks, coordinate efforts with city-wide Stormwater Management Plan, etc.

(back to top)