The focus of these efforts is on the implementation of the long-range action plan for the Trout Creek Watershed, in which those actions will improve fish and wildlife resources in the basin.  This project is located in portions of Wasco, Jefferson and Crook Counties, Oregon, that lie east of the Deschutes River, and generally north of Madras, south of Shaniko, and east of Mitchell, Oregon.  The latitude and longitude of Trout Creek at its confluence with the Deschutes River is; 44 degrees, 49 minutes and 18 seconds, North and 121 degrees 05 minutes and 13 seconds, West.  The latitude and longitude of the headwater area of Trout Creek is; 44 degrees, 30 minutes and 22 seconds North and 120 degrees, 33 minutes and 42 seconds West.

This project satisfies the goals listed in the Deschutes River Sub-basin Summary (Nelson, 2001), that portion of the draft Deschutes Subbasin Plan (2004) that addresses Trout Creek, and the Trout Creek Watershed Assessment (2003), and addresses four essential elements of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds (Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, 1999): 1)  Coordinated agency programs, 2)  Community based actions, 3)  Monitoring and Evaluation, and 4)  Corrective changes (adaptive management and regulations).  This project also satisfies the objectives of Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives 150 and 153 of the 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion calling for protection of riparian buffers by protecting high quality habitat and by leveraging the agricultural incentive programs.

The assessment follows the guidelines set in the Oregon Watershed Assessment Manual (Watershed Professionals Network, 1999).  Key components that assessment is: 1) Historical conditions, 2)  Channel habitat type classification, 3)  Hydrology and water use, 4)  Riparian and wetland conditions, 5)  Sediment sources, 6)  Channel modification, 7)  Water quality, and 8)  Fish and Wildlife habitat.  The proposed work also complements the work required in Trout Creek by FERC of PGE in the Re-licensing Settlement Agreement for the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project.

The long-range watershed restoration plan for Trout Creek will coordinate efforts of local landowners and private timber companies as well as state, federal, and tribal agencies to improve habitat conditions for fish and wildlife.  The plan would take a "top to bottom" approach.  The watershed assessment will be the key part of this plan and will describe potential problems, where they are located, and recommend way of resolving the issues and concerns.  A technical advisory committee made up of representatives from state, federal, and tribal agencies is being set up to develop scientifically sound restoration approaches.

Demonstration projects will also be implemented by this project.  For example, a need for immediate restoration efforts along Antelope and Trout Creeks exists.  Implementing these projects will demonstrate to local landowners what can be accomplished by working with the watershed council.  Landowners will be involved in projects throughout the watershed assessment/long-range watershed restoration planning process.

The Jefferson SWCD and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Trout Creek Project have been working cooperatively throughout the watershed assessment process.  The two groups will continue to work together developing the long-range action plan and seeing that habitat restoration projects are properly implemented.  This cooperation helps to leverage other funding sources, particularly PGE.  

The costs of the proposed actions are shared with PGE.  BPA will fund approximately eighty (80) percent of the habitat improvement work JCSWCD does in the Trout Creek Watershed this fiscal year.


Planned Projects:

All projects are designed to improve fish habitat, water quality and quantity in the Trout Creek basin.  Projects within the riparian zone that directly impact the stream will be conducted during the in-water work period (July 1 - October 31) as dictated by ODFW guidelines.  All projects will have landowner agreements and will be in compliance with all pertinent state and federal law, regulations and executive orders.  A Conservation Plan will be developed for all project conservation management units.  These plans will evaluate all pertinent resources and impacts.  


Lower Trout Creek Barrier Removal Project:

This project will significantly improve fish migration and passage during low stream flows in late spring/summer months.  We plan to remove an abandoned concrete irrigation diversion structure located at approximately river mile 6 in Trout Creek.  This structure was constructed in 1998 but due to land ownership changing the following year, it has never been used for irrigation purposes.  ODFW has used this structure to trap adult steelhead but will be constructing a new, more efficient trap at a lower site and will no longer be using it.  Due to years of scour, there is a 2 foot drop from the slab to the creek bed downstream of the structure.  In low flows (less than 7 cfs) fish have a difficult time or can not move up or downstream of this structure.  We plan to remove it from the stream and re-shape the bed to meet up with upstream and downstream elevations.  The concrete will be hauled off to a designated disposal site and buried.  All disturbed ground will be reseeded with native grasses and forbs and the stream bank will be re-vegetated with native trees and shrubs.  The instream work will be conducted during the instream work window of July1 to October 31.


Trout Creek Riparian Vegetation Improvement:

This project will improve the riparian vegetation by planting native trees and shrubs as well as seeding with native grasses & forbs.  Also, areas that have excessive infestations of noxious weeds will be sprayed with herbicide prior to planting.  Location of this project will be throughout the Trout Creek Watershed.


Nye Off-Site Water Facility (Trout Creek):

A previously developed spring source will be restored/re-developed and new pipe will be buried to connect to two new troughs.  A backhoe will be used to dig and backfill the trenches for the pipe.  The spring source will be fenced off after construction is complete.  Standard fencing methods will be used.  Standard spring development methods will be used in this project.  This will allow livestock to water without getting in or near Trout Creek, which is currently managed as a riparian buffer (CREP).