Warm Springs Reservation Watershed Project Maintenance VI

This is an ongoing project and staff has been maintaining the riparian fence network on the Reservation, working with range users to improve riparian conditions in critical salmonid habitat.
In 2011 the remaining funds were used to purchase water pumps and related supplies to maintain our off site water systems that accompany the riparian fences. Full time and seasonal technicians for this project are supported through BPA funding. BPA and other funding sources were also used in 2011 to upgrade one off site watering locations and four sites were upgraded in 2010.
A final report for the project has been completed and will be submitted as a separate attachment with the final progress report. This is a long term ongoing habitat protection and maintenance project the report is a working living document that will be the foundation to which new fences and monitoring data will be added too.
Report is titled: The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon (CTWSRO), Fish Habitat Program Riparian Protection Status Report, 2011

The riparian fence and offsite water on the Reservation protects critical spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook, steelhead, bull trout, and Pacific lamprey. Vigorous riparian vegetation reduces erosion, provide primary production for aquatic insects, creates shade that cools water temperatures, increases habitat complexity, increases resiliency to floods and other natural disturbances, and provides food inputs through terrestrial insect inputs. All of these factors increase salmonid production through increased growth and survival.
Target salmon species affected include spring and fall Chinook salmon and Summer Steelhead (ESA Threatened). These species are important culturally, economically and nutritionally to the people of the Warm Springs Reservation, and will directly benefit from this project through increased spawning success and improved rearing habitat resulting from protection and recovery if impacted riparian areas.