Salt Creek Falls Day Use Site Restoration Design

DESCRIPTION

Salt Creek Falls Day Use Site, located in Oregon’s scenic Willamette National Forest, is one of the region’s most visited recreational areas. To support ongoing improvements to public safety and site functionality, BCE provided technical assessment and design for a multi-faceted project involving restroom replacement and structural remediation at the overlook to the falls. The existing restroom facility was replaced with a new vault toilet building, accompanied by the decommissioning of the site’s water distribution and septic systems. During the initial site assessments, BCE investigated structural concerns near the overlook and pedestrian walkway. A detailed evaluation was conducted including structural risk assessments and geotechnical studies and exploration of the railing post foundations and adjacent area. Failures were identified along with projected rates and the likelihood of continued degradation, including the risk of sudden structural failures. To ensure immediate safety, a temporary stabilization solution was designed for the eroding area, allowing time to develop a permanent remediation strategy that would meet all safety requirements. All structural deficiencies were documented and recommendations for risk mitigation measures, occupancy limits and monitoring protocols were provided. Final deliverables included a comprehensive design for remediation strategies, along with cost estimates, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions that balance safety, sustainability, and site access.