The Trout Creek Watershed Restoration Project’s primary goal is to increase the abundance of ESA listed Middle Columbia River DPS Summer Steelhead.  The status of the summer steelhead population in Trout Creek, within the Deschutes River eastside DPS is currently rated as a viable population (Oregon Mid-C Steelhead Recovery Plan, 2010).  The confidence for making this population assessment “viable” is largely the result of the BPA funded programs associated with this project.  Past project work, the continued maintenance and monitoring of this work, along with the proposed future habitat restoration to be completed in future years will hopefully put the MCR DPS up for consideration of de-listing.
  
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).  This project satisfies the objectives of Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives 34 and 35 of the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion calling for protection and improvement of tributary habitat based on biological needs and prioritized actions.  This project also follows the habitat strategies and actions found in the Oregon Middle Columbia (Mid-C) Steelhead Recovery Plan (2010).

Following the goals and objectives of the numerous plans and documents will ensure the viability of the summer steelhead that utilizes the Trout Creek Watershed.  Continued work in this area will promote healthy populations of numerous species of fish and wildlife, while simultaneously promoting the use of sustainable agricultural practices on private land.  Successful agriculture and extraordinary habitat can and does coexist in the Trout Creek Watershed, and needs to continue well into the future for all parties involved if there is to be true “restoration.”  The work done here also has a huge impact on the region’s financial income.  The Deschutes River is one of the single largest recreational summer steelhead fisheries in the United States, with over 50,000 angler days per season, bringing millions of dollars annually to the region.  Trout Creek steelhead account for approximately 25-33% of the entire run of wild summer steelhead found in the Lower Deschutes River Subbasin (ODFW).  Sustaining or better yet, improving this run of fish is critical to the economy of central and north-central Oregon.

We plan to accomplish these goals with the implementation of demonstration projects located throughout the Trout Creek Watershed on private lands.  Priority areas have been identified in previous studies and assessments.  We give preference to these areas when selecting projects to implement, but it should be noted that all of our work hinges on the permission and desire of the landowner.  Some landowners are more willing than others.  Since the inception of this project in 1998, there have been massive gains in trust and willingness throughout the watershed and we have recently gained access to numerous acres that were previously off limits to us and our work.  This gain in trust is a huge benefit for all when it comes to the restoration of our habitat.  The demonstration projects we plan to implement include:  Habitat Improvement Projects that include in-stream work, riparian and floodplain enhancements, fish passage improvements, upland vegetation management, spring developments and conservation easements such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).  We have been very successful in the improvement of irrigation practices throughout the watershed, and there are still more opportunities that exist in Trout Creek.  Improving efficiencies of irrigation systems is critical to the overall reduction of water withdrawals.   Also, improving individual points of diversion, not only aid the irrigator, but hugely benefit the species of concern, juvenile summer steelhead.
  
These demonstration projects should continue until all of the habitat, including upland, riparian, and in-stream, can sustain ample fish and wildlife populations and summer steelhead can become de-listed.  This may take many years for all of this to come to fruition, however we are making great strides in the right direction and each and every year, we gain trust and access to habitats that were previously inaccessible.

The Jefferson SWCD has successfully implemented many large scale projects in the past decade.  This has accomplished at an extremely low cost to the BPA.  We have been able to keep costs very low because of our in-house knowledge and experience.   This, combined with our partnership with ODFW – Trout Creek Project, we can put conservation on the ground at the lowest costs seen anywhere in the Columbia Basin.  Combined with our ability to secure funding from other sources to help offset costs from BPA, we have been an extremely efficient project over the years.  Since project inception in 1998, we have almost doubled the funding we received from BPA for habitat improvement. We don’t even charge for administration fees on our contracts, a unique quality for sure.

This fiscal year, the costs of the proposed actions are shared with landowners, PGE, and ODFW.  BPA will fund approximately forty-seven (47) 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 be in compliance with all pertinent state and federal law, regulations and executive orders.    


Trout Creek Vegetation Improvement:

Plant native trees and shrubs by hand and native seed in designated riparian exclosures throughout the Trout Creek Watershed.  Planting sites will be areas with low existing plant densities and will be planted in clumps with an overall density of 300-500 plants per acre.  Tree planting will occur in sites previously surveyed for cultural resources.  Areas that have been freshly scoured with recent high water events may be re-seeded with native seed mix.  Areas that have been treated for noxious weeds will be a priority for this work element. We will locate areas with exposed soil or little vegetation and broadcast native seed in those areas within the Trout Creek Watershed.  These sites may coincide with sites treated through the Trout Creek Noxious Weed Program.  Re-vegetating the disturbed ground will help stabilize the soil and reduce overall erosion and sediment entering the streams/waterways in the watershed.  This project will be used for the Opal/Trout Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project as well as the Johnson Irrigation Improvement Project.


Trout Creek Noxious Weed Program:

Continue the noxious weed program for the Trout Creek Watershed for the 4th year, the second in conjunction with the Jefferson Co. Public Works and Jefferson Co. Weedmaster.  Collaborate with the County provide them with herbicide to administer the Trout Creek Noxious Weed Program.  The County will disperse herbicide to approved landowners and also apply the chemical as well.  The Weedmaster has more jurisdiction than the SWCD so we thought it was better to include the county in the program.  The SWCD will continue to apply chemical to known weed patches throughout the watershed.  The program will attempt to control noxious weed species that are found on the county's "A" list.  These include Scotch Thistle, Spotted Knapweed and Yellow Starthistle.  This year, we will try and incorporate a biological control on some specific patches to minimize herbicide use and manual labor.  This will be monitored and possibly increased in the future if successful.  We will ensure the proper reporting from the SWCD and the County in order to provide accurate accounting of herbicide use to EC.


Opal/Trout Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project:

This large scale project will be implemented in the summer of 2014.  It involves the improvement of three (3) different stream crossings, all of which are replacing undersized culverts with bridges.  A 4' culvert will be replaced with a 30' bridge at Opal Creek.  Two (2) 6' culverts will be replaced with a 50' bridge at Trout Creek.  And finally, a 4' culvert will be replaced with a 20' bridge on Auger Creek.  All of this will be conjunction with road re-alignment and stream re-connection.  Fish passage will be dramatically improved during all times of the year and all at all flow rates.  This project also entails removing the county road in several locations.  The material generated from the existing road will be used to relocate/re-construct a new road at better suited location for stream morphology.  The new road will meet Jefferson County specifications and inspections.  Stream re-connection is another aspect of this project.  We plan to construct log/rootwad/rock (LWD) structures strategically to protect streambanks and promote pool scour.  LWD structures will be located within the Opal/Trout Creek Fish Passage Improvement project area, both in the newly constructed channel and the areas connecting the existing channel located at the upper and lower ends of project site on mainstem Trout Creek.  Finally, we will shape floodplain adjacent to stream channel (both constructed and existing) where road is moved away from creek.  Borrow material directly adjacent to scoured floodplain to fill to appropriate grade and add some roughness features such as LWD and boulders to help maintain floodplain roughness and elevation.  Note, this area will be revegetated after construction is complete.  This work element will be implemented with funds primarily from PGE in cooperation with ODFW and the Jefferson Co. Public Works Dept.  Cultural Resource Survey was performed in fall 2012.


Johnson Irrigation Improvement Project:

This project will complement work accomplished in 2007.  Approximately 1500 feet of pipeline will be installed on the existing irrigation system.  Buried PVC pipe (6") will be installed, replacing leaky above ground aluminum pipeline, to deliver irrigation water to fields with water rights with much higher efficiencies. This pipeline will complement the previously installed delivery low pressure line installed several years ago (2007).  This high pressure line will be from the pump to the sprinklers.  Install new sprinkler system based on design of new system layout.  Layout will be set up to match system limits and available water rights.  New sprinklers in combination with existing sprinklers will be used to maximize efficiencies for this irrigation system.  Old sprinklers will be fitted with new gaskets and nozzles, and new sprinklers will be installed to improve efficiencies, minimizing the amount of water withdrawn from the creek.