Once a dominant habitat in the Willamette Valley, a floodplain forest along I-5 is making a comeback
Curt flood: Much of the Willamette Valley once looked like Luckiamute State Natural Area. Now this type of habitat is a rarity. Photo: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
By Kendra Chamberlain. August 27, 2026. It’s 9:05 a.m. on a summer Monday. Luckiamute State Natural Area, an Oregon state park located on the west side of the Luckiamute River just upstream of its confluence with the Willamette and Santiam rivers, is mostly empty. Ravens croak overhead. The sun shines brightly, and though it isn’t too hot yet, it’s humid.
Aubrey Siddiqui-Cloud, restoration program director at the Luckiamute Watershed Council, moves along comfortably in long pants, long sleeves and a hat…