Jarvis Ranch Watershed Improvements

The North Fork John Day Watershed Council worked with the landowner to accomplish the removal of 120 acres of juniper, perennial reseeding of treatment disturbance areas, development of two springs and one off-channel water sources and riparian exclusion fencing of 1/2 mile section (both sides) of 3-Mile Creek. These efforts addressed ongoing problems of juniper encroachment, plant species diversity, and stream quality and function.

This project will address surface water infiltration and sub-surface utilization on the North Fork John Day/Potamus Creek and Lower Middle Fork drainages. The type and status of vegetation in upland areas has great bearing on the hydrological functioning of a watershed and can significantly affect downstream fisherie habitats. ProperIy functioning upland vegetation will support a wide range of wildlife, promote infiltration of precipitation and the recharge of groundwater, prevent erosion and downstream sedimentation, and moderate peak flows and enhance base flows in adjoining waterways. Juniper management is one of the tools used to promote and maintain site-appropriate vegetation.The fence along 3 Mile Creek will decrease sediment load and temperature, and increase water quality for critical steelhead habitat further downstream in the Middle Fork John Day. 3 Mile Creek currently does not have spawning steelhead as there are 2 ponds located further downstream that are fish barriers. Through the process the Jarvis are interested in removing the pond located on their property during Phase 2 of this project.
Spring developments will eliminate livestock trampling and decrease evaporation rates, that may increase the springs overland flow and ability to mitigate stream temperatures further downstream in both drainages.