John Day Basin Wildfire Recovery

The John Day Basin has experienced approximately 671,000 acres of wildfire related impacts during the 2024 season. Of these acreages five focal watersheds that support ESA listed mid-Columbia summer steelhead were impacted: the Wall Creek Watershed ,Cottonwood Creek Watershed, Six-Mile Watershed, Eight-Mile Watershed, and Upper Rock Creek Watershed. This project proposes to use PCSRF funds to purchase and distribute native grass seed to focal tributaries to aid in watershed stabilization on private lands. The project will focus on steep and/or severely burned areas, as well as areas pertinent to previously implemented aquatic restoration projects, within the five focal watersheds.



This project includes the purchase, delivery, and application of riparian and upland grass seed mix, which will be used to stabilize burn scars in the project watersheds. An estimated total of 1450 acres will be seeded across these watersheds. Exact acreages across worksites may vary depending on burn severity, landowner participation, and watershed need. Exact matching fund estimates are not known at this time, however NRCS has allocated funds to post-fire recovery restoration across a nine-county area. More specific information about match funding will be available at project completion because the pace of this work is fast response with short timelines for completion.



Worksite #1 Courtrock Fire scar within the Cottonwood Creek Watershed

Courtrock Fire scar within the Cottonwood Creek Watershed – Propose to purchase a post-fire seed mix for broadcast application for tributaries within the Cottonwood Creek Watershed. Highest severity fire was within the Camp Creek, Boag Creek, Long Hollow, and Cottonwood Creek drainages. PCSRF funds will purchase seed for approximately 400 acres of reseeding in high priority areas. Priority will be given to steep terrain with sparce to no vegetation and riparian areas. This seeding effort will help to stabilize burn scars prior to the 2024-2025 winter.



Worksite #2 Battle Mountain Complex Fire scar within the Wall Creek Watershed

Battle Mountain Complex Fire scar within the Wall Creek Watershed – Propose to purchase a post-fire seed mix for broadcast application for tributaries within the Wall Creek Watershed. Highest severity fire was within the Fern Creek, Little Wall and Big Wall drainages. PCSRF funds will purchase seed for approximately 400 acres of reseeding in high priority areas. Priority will be given to steep terrain with sparce to no vegetation and riparian areas. This seeding effort will help to stabilize burn scares prior to the 2024-2025 winter.



Worksite #3 Battle Mountain Complex Fire scar within the Eight-Mile Watershed

Battle Mountain Complex Fire scar within the Eight-Mile Watershed – Propose to purchase a post-fire seed mix for broadcast application for tributaries within the Six-Mile Watershed. Highest severity fire was within the headwaters of Six-Mile & Eight-Mile creeks. PCSRF funds will purchase seed for approximately 400 acres of reseeding in high priority areas. Priority will be given to steep terrain with sparce to no vegetation and riparian areas. This seeding effort will help to stabilize burn scares prior to the 2024-2025 winter.



Worksite #4 Lonerock Fire dozer containment lines within the Upper Rock Creek

Dozer containment lines within and adjacent to the Lonerock Fire within the Upper Rock Creek Watershed – Propose to purchase post-fire seed mix for broadcast application on the approximately 50 miles of dozer containment lines within the Upper Rock Creek Watershed. Targeted dozer lines currently exist as approximately 240 acres of unvegetated soil and substrate.

Severe wildfires can dramatically effect stream discharge, turbidity, specific conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. Watersheds with existing understory vegetation rarely exhibit similar abiotic patterns found in drainages that have had a severe wildfire. Understory vegetation slows and filters overland flow and increases infiltration (Reale 2015). Reseeding efforts will help to limit the duration of instream water quality changes due to the recent wildfires.