John Day Exclusion Fencing

The project successfully installed and replaced riparian cattle exclusion fencing at two priority locations within the John Day River Basin.



Worksite 1: Robertson Riparian Fencing

Worksite 1 is located on Cottonwood Creek approximately 14 miles South of Monument Oregon in the North Fork John Day sub-watershed.. The area within this worksite was affected by the 2024 fire season. Approximately 10,000 feet of fencing was constructed along Cottonwood Creek to replace riparian fencing destroyed during the 2024 Courtrock Fire. This effort restored critical protections for ESA-listed Mid-Columbia River steelhead habitat on a 303(d)-listed stream, reducing livestock-related impacts such as streambank trampling, erosion, and water quality degradation. The work was completed in coordination with private landowners and supports ongoing recovery of sensitive aquatic resources in the North Fork John Day sub-watershed.



Worksite 2: Sunshine Station Riparian Fencing

Roughly 11,300 feet of wildlife-friendly exclusion fencing was installed along the boundary of the Oxbow and Dunstan Conservation Areas, protecting culturally significant habitat for Mid-Columbia River steelhead and spring Chinook in the Middle Fork John Day sub-watershed. The new fencing replaced deteriorated allotment fence and now effectively prevents trespass cattle from accessing riparian areas within the Tribes’ conservation lands.



Both project sites were completed as proposed and contribute to long-term watershed health and fish habitat resilience.

Cattle related disturbance is highly likely due to both Cottonwood Creek and the Middle Fork John Day Rivers proximity to lands that are used for cattle grazing. This project will mitigate and prevent damage to fish habitat by keeping cattle out of the riparian areas. This work will benefit both ESA listed Mid- Columbia River Steelhead and Mid-Columbia Spring Chinook that the river supports and are both of cultural significance to the Warm Springs Tribes.