Upper Deschutes Subbasin Partnerships

The CTWSO are in the process of rebuilding and protecting habitat for the reintroduction of spring Chinook, summer steelhead and sockeye salmon reintroduced above the Pelton Round Butte dam complex. This is a partnership project working with the stakeholders in the Upper Deschutes Subbasin. Partners include the Deschutes Land Trust, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, Crooked River Watershed Council, Deschutes River Conservancy, US forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Soil and Watershed Conservation Districts, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and private land owners. The projects identified include channel and flood plain restoration, water quantity and water quality driven projects that improve habitat for ESA listed species and culturally significant species to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Deschutes Land Trust has project phases for Ochoco preserve property where Ochoco Creek and McKay Creek confluences with the Crooked River and on Whychus Creek in collaboration with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. Each of these projects are multiple phases and cover in excess of a mile each of channel and flood plain restoration and reconnection with goals of reconnecting the ground water table and improving riparian plant assemblages. Each of these stream segments have been heavily impacted by irrigation practices, and manipulated to meet productivity of grazing and agricultural products. These projects work towards correcting nearly a century of impacts of leveling, channelizing, over widening, straightening, and channel moving. Our objectives for each of the stream segments are to: 1).Create a width to depth ratio appropriate for each stream type. 2). Develop a connected flood plain that is accessable at 5 year events and larger. 3). Create and jumpstart a riparian, wetland and upland vegetation system that ultimately increases shading, controls surface runoff and filters sediment and other pollutants prior to entering the stream segment. Each of these stream segments will also be appropriately lengthened and side channels add where feasible and appropriate.



Worksite #1 Proposed Work:

The Ochoco Preserve Phase 3 is the final restoration phase on the Ochoco Preserve. This project aims to reset over 37 acres of land. Restorative actions include the formation of just under 10 acres of floodplain, 6 acres of wetland, and 22 acres of upland. About 0.5 miles of baseflow Crooked River channel will be constructed. Side channels will also be constructed with 0.4 miles installed. Further, 17 wood habitat structures will be installed. The Crooked River population of mid-Columbia River Steelhead ESU has not been identified as a priority population for recovery. However, the fish generated enter the fishery both on the mainstem Columbia and the Deschutes River. This work also compliments the reintroduction of spring Chinook into the system. Although not listed for recovery plan purposes. Reintroduction is a requirement of the new FERC license (#2030) and the Tribes plan for increasing spring Chinook in the basin.



Worksite #2 Proposed Work:

The Whychus Canyon Preserve -- Phase III project will build upon the restoration work that was completed on three stream miles directly downstream (Phases I and II; 2016-2023). The focus will be to create self-sustaining stream and floodplain habitats across 49 acres. Currently, 2.5 miles of channelized creek exists on the property. Following restoration, it is expected that complex aquatic and wetland habitats will exist. Side channel and slow water habitats will be abundant. Whychus Creek is part of the West side Deschutes population of the East Cascades MPG. Work that occurs in this system along with the reintroduction efforts of the CTWSRO and Portland General Electric contribute towards the population recovery meeting the the Tribes and PGE reintroduction plan as part of the FE

This project will restore the natural process and function in critical reaches of the Whychus Creek, and the Crooked River and Metolius Rivers in the Upper Deschutes Subbasin creating important habitats for all life stages of salmon and steelhead and other resident species.