Crazy Johnson

Salmon habitat and water quality

The Grays River watershed is a critical resource for fish, wildlife, the local forestry economy and clean water in the Columbia River Estuary. Columbia Land Trust conserved the original 328-acre Crazy Johnson site in 2009, expanded it in 2022 with a 342-acre addition, and expanded it again in 2025 with a 155-acre acquisition which protected more of the creek’s headwaters.  

This site permanently protects one of the most significant river reaches for chum salmon spawning in the Columbia River Basin. The Columbia River’s chum population is one of only two U.S. runs listed as threatened. Decades ago, around 1.4 million chum returned each year. Since 2007, according to annual surveys by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the estimated number of adults returning the Columbia River has ranged between 3,900 and 18,900.  

Our work here also conserves forestland above tributaries of the Grays River which helps reduce erosion and downstream sedimentation, thereby reducing the potential of flooding downstream and protecting water quality and salmon spawning grounds.    

Guided by a whole-watershed vision, Columbia Land Trust is also working to restore intertidal and wetland areas in the lower Grays River and to protect forestland in the upper watershed to curb erosion, shade and cool streams to support fish habitat.