Belshaw Creek Juniper Treament, 2009  (BPA Contract: 32153, WE: Q)

Belshaw Creek Juniper Treatment, located near Mt. Vernon, Oregon on Belshaw Creek, a tributary to the Upper John Day River. The project consisted of removing 300 acres of western juniper on the Tirico Ranch.  The project work began in 2007 through multiple phases, the last phase was completed in 2009.  All of the work has been concentrated in the riparian areas and North facing slopes.

• Project size: 300 Acres of riparian area.
• Central project location: 44.47792, -119.27566.
• Project was bid, cost for the felling was $18,000.
• The Oregon Watershed Enhancent Board (OWEB) funded 120 acres, BPA funded 180 acres of juniper thinning.

The project was selected based upon landowner cooperation and project location for improving riparian vegetation, controlling and improving the erosion issues, and improving water quality to the stream and the John Day River.  The Mid-C Steelhead Conservation and Recovery Plan lists Belshaw Creek with several degraded issues, including water quality, increased sediment loads, loss of pools, the flood plain and riparian needs restored, along with passage issues that limit steelhead populations in the stream. The objective of juniper removal projects is to help improve water quality and water quantity. Most of the trees in the riparian area were felled into the channel, helping to capture excess sediment, create fish habitat, and to help deter the cattle from entering the riparian area. A large portion of the John Day Basin is privately owned, specific project locations to improve tributary habitat are selected on an opportunistic basis as well as further refining proposed projects based on whole watershed restoration value. The Belshaw Creek project would have the most direct impact on mainstem John Day River water characteristics, therefore improving watershed level fish habitat.

Pre-Photo Belshaw Creek on May 1, 2008.

Post-Photo Belshaw Creek on August 16, 2010.

Berry Creek Culvert 1 & 2 Removal, 2012.  (BPA Contract: 56228, WE: AS & AT)

The Berry Creek culvert removal project is located approximately 8 miles south of Canyon City, Oregon. Two undersized passage barrier culverts were removed and replaced with short span bridges. The project was completed with funds from OWEB, BPA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Malheur National Forest (MNF), and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).  Completion of the project opened an additional 3.75 miles of habitat in Berry Creek.

• #1 Culvert location: 44.312810, -118.952388.
• #2 Culvert location: 44.313763, -118.94537.
• Total project cost was $138,236.00. 

The project is located in the Upper John Day Basin on Berry Creek, which is a tributary to Canyon Creek. Berry Creek provides rearing and spawning habitat for steelhead (Oncorynchus mykiss). The upper John Day Basin was ranked number three by the John Day Subbasin Plan for restoration within the Basins HUC5s. Fish passage was ranked as the number two strategy for restoration in the Plan for the Upper John Day Basin and is listed as the highest priority for the Canyon Creek Subbasin. The Upper John Day Basin as well as Canyon Creek are listed on the 303 (d) list due to the excessive summer stream temperatures. Therefore, unimpeded access to cooler upstream tributaries is crucial for the survival of MC steelhead in the Upper John Day Basin.

Photo points were collected, along with data on the substrate, canopy cover, and topology were completed at sites 1 and 2. Fish sampling was conducted with ODFW before project implementation to determine baseline fish population numbers.

Pre-Photo Berry Creek Culvert #1 Jume 21, 2012.

Post-Photo Berry Creek Culvert #1 October 17, 2013

Pre-Photo Berry Creek Culvert #2 April 6, 2011

Post-Photo berry Creek Culvert #2 October 17, 2013

Birch Creek Juniper Treatment, 2010.  (BPA Contract: 54904, WE: AD)

 The Birch Creek Juniper Project was implemented on the Tri-Creek Ranch located near Dayville, Oregon and adjacent to Birch Creek on an ephemeral stream that flows directly into Birch Creek, a tributary to Rock Creek. The project consists of the using a Timko Feller Buncher to thin 100 acres of western juniper with BPA funds in 2010 – 2011, and a current 2012 – 2013 OWEB funded project for the cutting and piling of an additional 398 acres.

• Project size: 498 Acres of riparian and upland area.
• Birch Creek Restoration: 44.45806, -119.71568.
• Project cost for the felling and pilling;  BPA $8,000; OWEB $31,840.

Project began October 20, 2010, the BPA 100 acre project was completed in December of 2011, the OWEB project is still in progress and expected to be completed May of 2013.

The project was selected based upon landowner cooperation and location for increasing water quality, quantity, controlling and improving the erosion issues, increase riparian vegetation that is present, but under stress due to the juniper encroachment. The project has been prioritized as having critical habitat contributions to both anadromous fish and wintering wildlife of the John Day Basin and is ranked as a high priority by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Northwest Power Conservation 2005 John Day Subbasin Plan ranked it as a high priority for riparian improvements; it has also been ranked very high in the Mid-C Recovery Plan for fish passage, screening, and protecting existing habitat.

Pre-project work indicates water potential, good native grass and shrub components that are at risk of being lost, which will lead to increased water loss and erosion issues.

Pre-Photo Birch Creek Juniper October 20, 2010.

Post-Photo Birch Creek Juniper April 24, 2012.

Stanley/ Butte Creek Culverts #1, 2, & 3, 2011.  (BPA Contract: 46942, WE: H, I, J)

Butte Creek 1, 2, & 3 culvert removal project is located near Fossil, Oregon, on Butte Creek, a tributary to the Lower John Day River. In 2011 three culverts that were were undersized and had passage issues were removed and replaced with steel bridges.  The three culvert replacments opened an additional 35 miles of cold water stream habitat.

• #1 Culvert location: 45.05926, -120.36928.
• #2 Culvert location: 45.05635, -120.37818.
• #3 Culvert location: 45.06398, -120.41172.
• Cost of project for the culvert/bridges was $421,000 for all three projects.

Project work began on July 28, 2011 and all projects were completed on August 31, 2011, within the instream work period.  The project is located in the Lower John Day Basin on Butte Creek, which is listed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spawning and rearing habitat. The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan lists Butte Creek as a priority watershed with fish passage as one of the main limiting factors for recovery.

Pre and post photo points were collected at all three sites, along with substrate data, and cross-section surveys were completed at sites 1 and 2 pre and post project work.

Pre-Photo Stanley/ Butte Creek #2, July 27, 2011.

Post-Photo Stanley/ Butte Creek #2, September 20, 2011.

Camp Creek Gauge Station 2011.  (BPA Contract: 56050, WE: I)

Maintain and replace as necessary gage infrastructure including gage house, outside staffs, reference marks and reference points.  Provide and replace as necessary, stage sensor, logger and satellite telemetry for the gage.  Make site visits roughly every 8 weeks each year to perform discharge measurements and gage inspections.  Send copies of field notes, inspections and discharge measurements to the USGS Portland office within a week of a field trip.  Inform (via same day phone call) the Portland Office of obvious problems, malfunctions and reset of equipment noted during visits to the gage.  Repair or replace any USGS equipment that was damaged due to acts by CTWS personnel or its contractors.

• Project Location:  44.69264, -118.79438.
• Project Cost: $22,500.

Photo of the Camp Creek Gauge Station.

Emmel/ Smith Lay-Flat Diversion 2006.  (BPA Contract: 26506, WE: R)

Emmel/Smith Diversion is located east of Prairie City, Oregon on the mainstem of the Upper John Day River; Dad’s Creek (HUC 6). A gravel push-up dam with other debris was replaced in 2006 with a lay-flat stanchion type diversion, which has allowed the irrigation water to be diverted without the yearly gravel disturbance from the push-up and the barrier to fish passage.  The project provided .8 mile of passage improvements on the mainstem channel.

• Diversion location: 44.445013, -118.65054.
• Cost of project for the replacing the push-up with a steel stanchion and concrete fish passage $24,500.

Project work took place and was completed during the 2006 instream work period.  The Oregon Mid-C Steelhead Recovery Plan lists the Upper John Day as a watershed with fish passage as one of the main limiting factors for recovery.  The project removed a passage barrier in the Upper John Day, providing access into the upper reaches of the stream and additional tributaries.

Pre and post photo points were collected, along with cross-sections at the point of restoration, 100 feet above and below the POR.

Pre-Photo Emmel/ Smith Diversion, August 12, 2005.

Post-Photo Emmel/ Smith Diversion, September 28, 2011.

Enright RFC 2012 - 2013.  (BPA Contract: 56288, WE: DL)

Enright Return Flow Cooling system is located 1.5 miles west of Mt. Vernon, Oregon on the John Day River. The project will entail repairing a failing drain system in the field that was installed decades ago. Three lateral drain pipes#1 400 ft., #2 1020 ft., #3 1100 ft., were installed and connected to 700 ft. of 12” main line that was piped directly into the river. The project allows surface water to properly drain into the soil, instead of setting on the surface. This should improve thermal temperatures, water quality, and reduce the run off that typically happens when the water sets on the surface where it warms up in the summer months and contains high levels of manure from cattle. The project will provide a cold water refuge, monitoring has indicated that this provides pooling habitat for fish and affects the downstream temperature moderately. The site will also add approximately .5 cfs of additional flow to the river.

• River outlet location: 44.41495, -119.14234; Photo from road location: 44.41526, -119.14385.
• Cost of project: $80,180.

Project design and bid was done in 2012, groundbreaking work began on January 8, 2013 and was completed on January 30, 2013.
The project is located in the Upper John Day Basin on the mainstem of the Upper John Day River. The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan lists the Upper John Day as a watershed with fish passage as one of the main limiting factors for recovery. It also ranks high in this area for restoring degraded channels and maintaining properly functioning channel structure and complexity.  The project may help to protect water loss, improve water quality by filtering the surface water through the soil, which reduces the temperature as well.

Pre and Post construction photos were taken at the site.  HOBO temperature data logger was deployed at the RFC outlet site for the summer of 2012.

Pre-Photo Enright RFC, October 9, 2012.

Post Photo Enright RFC, January 30, 2013.

Hashknife Fish Ladder 2010.  (BPA Contract: 46942, WE: K, Z) 

Hashknife Fish Ladder is located about 2 miles southeast of Mitchell, Oregon in the Headwaters of Bridge Creek. Bridge Creek is a key salmonid stream. The project will include replacing a concrete diversion with an eroded rock spillway and two fish screens that are on the ODFW replacement list. There is a 9-foot difference in the natural stream gradient above and below the diversion and it is a complete barrier to fish passage. The project will allow access for all life stages of salmonids that was previously inaccessible for 7 miles upstream into historic spawning and rearing habitat. A 100-foot steel fish ladder, 8 large step weirs, and the fish screens were replaced.

• 7 miles of accessible stream above project.
• Location: 44.5086, -120.1525.
• Total cost of the project $225,000.

Project pre-photos were taken on August 4, 2010, the project was completed on August 24, 2010.  Project was selected based upon limiting factors prioritized in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009). Tributary habitat and impaired fish passage and water quality both key limiting factors.  The project will allow access to 7 miles of historic steelhead spawning and rearing habitat into the headwaters of Bridge Creek.  The project complies with the Oregon Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Guide.  Permission and/or approval for the design was obtained from ODFW and USFWS.

Pre-Photo Hashknife fish ladder site.

Post-Photo completed Hashknife fish ladder.

Hasknife Pipeline 2012.  (BPA Contract: 32331,WE: W; 37186, WE: Q; 46942, WE: S)

Hashknife Pipeline project is located about 2 miles souteast of Mitchell, Oregon in the Headwaters of Bridge Creek. Bridge Creek is a key salmonid stream. The project has been completed in several phases, which included a barrier issue and piping 7500 feet of irrigation ditch in 2009.  The project piped an additional 10,000 feet of open irrigation ditch in 2011, and created a significant water savings allowing more water to be left instream.

• Location: Hashknife Pipeline: 44.50742, -120.15104.
• Total costs were $538,928 for the compleated project.

Project pre-photos were taken during the irrigation season, the project was completed in October 2012.  Project was selected based upon limiting factors prioritized in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009). Tributary habitat and impaired fish passage and water quality both key limiting factors.  The project in approximately 5 miles of stream reach by returning 2.3 cfs of unprotected water to the stream. Increased flows will help to reduce the stream temperatures in Gable and Bridge Creek, improving steelhead habitat.

Pre-Photo of Hanknife open ditch.

Post-Photo of piped irrigation.

Jacobs RFC 2005.  (BPA Contract: 21629, WE: T)

Jacobs Return Flow Cooling system is located east of Prairie City, Oregon on county road 62 on the Upper John Day River. The project will entail repairing a failing drain system in the field that was installed decades ago. Lateral drainpipes were installed and connected to a 12” main line that was piped directly into the river. The project allows surface water to properly drain into the soil, instead of setting on the surface. This should improve thermal temperatures, water quality, and reduce the run off that typically happens when the water sets on the surface where it warms up in the summer months and contains high levels bacteria.  The project provides a cold water refuge, monitoring has indicated that this provides pooling habitat for fish and affects the downstream temperature moderately. The site will also add additional flow to the river.

• River outlet location: 44.46169, -118.69112.
• Cost of project $36,353.

Project design and bid was done in in 2005.  The project is located on the Upper John Day River in the Isham Creek HUC 6. The Mid-Columbia River Steelhead DPS Recovery Plan 2009 lists the Upper John Day as a watershed with limiting factors for passage, abundance, and productivity issues. It ranks high for improving degraded water quality, restore altered hydrograph to provide appropriate flows during critical periods by implementing agricultural water conservation measures.  The project may help to protect water loss, improve water quality by filtering the surface water through the soil, which reduces the temperature as well.

Pre photos were taken, but provide little indication to the poor condition of the field. HOBO temperature loggers have been deployed since 2010 at 100 ft. above the RFC, 100-ft. below the RFC, and inside the culvert outlet. The RFC provides a thermal refuge, plus water quality samples submitted to labs have indicated very low levels to zero of e-coli, this was compared with other locations on the river.

Pre-Project photo of field before the RFC was repaired.

Photo of RFC location at Jacobs, January 15, 2005.

Kayser/ Rock Creek Diversions 2011.  (BPA Contract: 46942, WE: V)

Kayser Diversions Upper and Lower are located on Rock Creek, in the Lower John Day Basin north of Condon, Oregon off of Wolf Hollow Road. Two irrigation diversions created a barrier to fish passage, in one case, an area 40'W by 100'L was re-graded, and the other site had a 70'W by 300'L diversion was re-graded to achieve compliance, large rock will be added to assure stability, this will provide passage for 68 miles upstream of project. The project is located in Gilliam County and done in cooperation with the Gilliam Soil and Water District. Improvements to both passages provided approximately 68 miles of passage to Rock Creek.

• 68 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Upper Diversion location: 45.39094, -120.05730.
• Lower Diversion location: 44.628068, -120.33535.
• Cost for both diversions $45,000.

Project work began mid August of 2011 and was completed during the instream work period. Post monitoring was completed on November 8, 2011 and repeated on September 24, 2012.  Rock Creek is listed within the John Day Basin Recovery Plan as a high priority watershed, some of the key limiting factors for fish recovery are degraded riparian communities; altered sediment routing; altered hydrology; impaired fish passage; degraded floodplain and channel structure; water quality (temp).  The project removed passage barriers in the Lower Rock Creek area, providing access for approximately 68 miles above the diversion.
Pre and post photo points, cross-sections above, at the point of restoration, and below the POR.

Pre-Photo Upper Kayser Diversion, August 10, 2010.

Post-Photo Upper Kayser Diversion, December 5, 2012.

Pre-Photo Lower Kayser Diversion, August 10, 2010.

Post-Photo Lower Kayser Diversion, February 27, 2013.

Kinzau Riparian Planting and Habitat Project 2010.  (BPA Contract: 45904, WE: AA, AT)

The Kinzua project was location in Thirtymile Creek near the town of Fossil, Oregon on the Kinzua Hills Golf Course. In 2010, over 900 plants were planted along sloughing banks and log structures were placed in the stream to create habitat complexity. Willows were the predominant species planted, along with various other bushes, trees, and graminoids.  This project was compleated in cooperation with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Wheeler SWCD, Fossil High School.

• Project location: 45.016336, -120.08626.
• Project cost for the planting and habitat $57,100.

Thirtymile Creek is listed in the TMDL as temperature impaired and the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009) stated that tributary habitat, including water quality and altered hydrology is one of the four major limiting factors to steelhead populations in the John Day River. This project location was selected based upon landowner cooperation and project value for improving riparian vegetation, controlling and improving bank erosion, and improving water quality to the John Day River system.  The planting project improved water quality by increasing riparian function including bank stability and stream shading. The habitat features increased instream habitat complexity providing a direct benefit to fish.
Monitoringj of the project includes pre and post photo points, pre project cross-sections.

Post-Photo Kinzau Habitat, September 20, 2011.

Post Photo Kinzau Planting, September 20, 2011.

Laycock Creek Juniper Thinning/ Planting 2010.  (BPA Contract: 45904, WE: AC; 37190, WE: S)

Laycock Creek Juniper thinning, located South of Mt. Vernon, Oregon on the K. Holliday Ranch. The project consisted of the felling with chainsaw 100 acres of western juniper on the Holliday Ranch. The riparian fencing was completed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which has made a substantial difference in the vegetation cover. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs completed the plantings in the riparian, grass seed was distributed by the landowner.  Project began July 1, 2010, and was completed on October 25, 2010.Project size: 100 Acres of riparian area, with several other projects done in prior years.

• Project size 100 acres.
• Project location: 44.38554, -119.04040.
• Project cost for juniper thinning and Riparian planting: $16,500.

The project was selected based upon landowner cooperation and project location for improving riparian vegetation, controlling and improving the erosion issues, and improving water quality to the John Day River. Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009), tributary habitat, including water quality and altered hydrology is one of the four major limiting factors to steelhead populations in the John Day River. The objective of Juniper removal projects is to improve water quality and water quantity. Since much of the John Day Basin is privately owned, specific project locations to improve tributary habitat are selected on an opportunistic basis as well as further refining proposed projects based on whole watershed restoration value.  Pre-project work showed lack of vegetation in the upland and riparian, water availability, and erosion issues. One year after riparian improvement vegetation is re-establishing, springs, and a small amount of flow is in channel a small tributary into Laycock Creek.  Photo points were collected, and historical temperature data. 

Post-Photo of fence construction, October 29, 2008.

Post-Photo fencing and planting Laycock Creek, August 4, 2009.

Laycock Creek Juniper treatment, November 1, 2010.

Lemmons Ingle Diversion 2008.  (BPA Contract: 37186, WE: AP)

Lemons/Ingle Diversion is located in Mt. Vernon, Oregon on the mainstem John Day River. A gravel push-up dam was replaced in 2008 with a lay-flat stanchion type diversion, which has allowed the irrigation water to be diverted without the yearly gravel disturbance from the push-up and the barrier passage issues.  The project provided .9 mile of passage improvement on the mainstem channel, and removed the disturbance from the yearly install of the push-up diversion.  Project work took place and was completed during the 2008 instream work period.

• 0.9 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Project location: 44.41096, -119.11698.
• Cost of project: $36,000.

The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan lists the Upper John Day as a watershed with fish passage as one of the main limiting factors for recovery. It also ranks high in this area for restoring degraded channels and maintaining properly functioning channel structure and complexity. The project will protect any further disturbance to help allow natural vegetation to recover, additionally GSWCD install some log structures above the diversion to help stabilize the bank.  The project removed a passage barrier in the Upper John Day, providing access into the upper reaches of the stream and additional tributaries.  Pre and post photo points, re-seeding, and some riparian plantings as per request by the landowner.

Pre_Photo Lemons/ Ingle Diversion, August 8, 2007.

Post_Photo Lemons/ Ingle Diversion, September 3, 2008.

Little Beech Creek Juniper Removal/ Planting 2011.  (BPAContract: 45904, WE: BH, BI) 

 Little Beech Creek Juniper thinning, located near Mt. Vernon, which consisted of the felling with chainsaw 312 acres of western juniper on the Riggs Ranch. The riparian planting was completed by CTWS. Project size: 312 Acres juniper thinning; 1 mile of riparian planting.  The project began June 25, 2011, and was completed on July 27, 2011.

• Project size: 312 acres.
• Project location: 44.48611, -118.94184.
• Project Cost: $19,968.00, plus $9,000 landowner cost share.

Project was selected based upon landowner cooperation and project location for improving riparian vegetation, controlling and improving the erosion issues, and improving water quality to the John Day River. Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009), tributary habitat, including water quality and altered hydrology is one of the four major limiting factors to steelhead populations in the John Day River. The objective of Juniper removal projects is to improve water quality and water quantity. Since much of the John Day Basin is privately owned, specific project locations to improve tributary habitat are selected on an opportunistic basis as well as further refining proposed projects based on whole watershed restoration value. The project on Little Beech Creek project encompassed 2nd order tributaries that would have the most direct impact on mainstem John Day River water characteristics, therefore improving watershed level fish habitat.
Pre-project work showed lack of vegetation, water availability, and erosion. One year after riparian improvement vegetation is re-establishing, springs, and a small amount of flow is in channel.

Photo points were collected, flows were too low to measure or considered dry. Historical information from landowner indicated a pond, currently dry use to have water year round. Grant writer did not follow administration process and failed to obtain proper landowner signatures. Original project was 900 acres, due to lack of proper communication it was only 312 acres.

Pre-Photo Little Beeh Creek, September 29, 2008.

Post-Photo Little Beech Creek, May 5, 2011.

Long Box Juniper 2010.  (BPA Contract: 45904, WE: AI)

 Long Box Juniper thinning, located near Dayville, Oregon on Marks, Scotty, and Left Hand Fork Creek, which consisted of the felling with chainsaw 200 acres of western juniper on the Long Box Ranch. The riparian fencing and planting was completed by NRCS.  Project began July 1, 2010, and was completed on October 25, 2010.

• Project size: 200 Acres of riparian area.
• Project Location: Scotty Creek 44.48377, -119.41578; 102.07 acres, Left Hand Fork 44.49287, -119.42480; 41.42 acres, Marks Creek 44.45370, -119.41594; 55.29 acres.
• Project Cost: $13,000.

The project was selected based upon landowner cooperation and project location for improving riparian vegetation, controlling and improving the erosion issues, and improving water quality to the John Day River. Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009), tributary habitat, including water quality and altered hydrology is one of the four major limiting factors to steelhead populations in the John Day River. The objective of Juniper removal projects is to improve water quality and water quantity. Since much of the John Day Basin is privately owned, specific project locations to improve tributary habitat are selected on an opportunistic basis as well as further refining proposed projects based on whole watershed restoration value. The Long Box Juniper project encompassed tributaries that would have the most direct impact on mainstem John Day River water characteristics, therefore improving watershed level fish habitat.
Pre-project work showed lack of vegetation, water availability, and erosion issues. One year after riparian improvement vegetation is re-establishing, springs, and a small amount of flow is in channel.
Photo points were collected, flows were too low to measure or considered dry. Historical information from landowner indicated a pond, currently dry use to have water year round.  Improved communication with NRCS on project timing; the fence and plantings were already in place before the junipers were felled, making it slightly more difficult to fall trees without damaging either.

Pre-Photo Left Hand Fork, March 18, 2010.

Post-Photo Left Hand Fork, July 20, 2011.

Lower Bear Creek Crossing 2012.  (BPA Contract: 56228, WE: AE)

 Bear Creek is a tributary to Bridge Creek, the site is located approximately 5.75 upstream of the confluence of Bridge Creek. The stream crossing was used several times a day most of the year as part of the ranch access to the fields. Additional maintenance needed to be done with equipment on an annual basis to the crossing to maintain the access. A 22 ft. wide bridge with a length of 30 ft. was installed, along with adding rocks to the banks to help narrow the channel that had widened considerably over the years causing the stream to become very shallow in that area. The ruts and widened stream created fish access issues, sediment, gravel disturbance, and increased temperatures in that could affect the habitat downstream.  The bridge allowed 6.23 miles of stream habitat without the disturbance or barriers that previously caused fish habitat issues.

• 6.23 miles of accessible upatream habitat.
• Project Location: 44.62734, -120.33587.
• Project Cost: $52,706.

Project work survey and designs began on May 1, 2012; all instream work was completed on August 31, 2011.
The project is located in the Lower John Day Basin on Bear Creek, which is listed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spawning and rearing habitat. The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan lists Bridge Creek as a priority watershed with fish passage as one of the main limiting factors for recovery.  The project removed the continuous substrate disturbance that created sediment issues, and was causing the channel to widen making passage an issue for the steelhead.

Pre and post photo points were collected, total station survey was completed, substrate and shade data. Post project survey work will take place in 2013.

Pre-Photo Lower Bear Creek Crossing, July 16, 2012

Post-Photo Lower Bear Crossing, February 27, 2013.

Ramsey Diversion (Rock Creek ladder #1) 2011.  (BPA Contract: 46942, WE: U)

The project is located on Rock Creek in Gilliam County, northwest of the town of Condon, Oregon, which is a tributary to the Lower John Day River. Two irrigation diversions were a barrier to fish passage.  An area approximately 60'W by 250' in length was re-graded to bring the diversion into compliance with fish passage rules.  The Lower Ramsey Diversion was a one-step concrete weir structure with a left bank diversion structure inlet to a ditch that runs along the left bank. There was a fish passage barrier created from the existing 8-foot drop between the diversion sill and the existing streambed, downstream of the concrete apron. In 2011, an area approximately 60' wide by 250' in length was re-graded to bring the diversion into compliance with fish passage rules.  This project provided passage for 70 miles upstream of the project.  

• 70 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Upper Diversion Project Location: 45.56624, -120.278871.
• Lower Diversion Project Location: 45.57324, -120.316547. 
• Project Cost: $45,000.

Rock Creek is listed within the John Day Basin Recovery Plan as a high priority watershed, some of the key limiting factors for fish recovery are degraded riparian communities; altered sediment routing; altered hydrology; impaired fish passage; degraded floodplain and channel structure; water quality (temp).  The Lower Ramsey Diversion was a fish passage obstacle nearest to the mouth of Rock Creek. Improvements to this diversion impact all fish migrating up Rock Creek. Rock Creek supports ESA listed Middle Columbia steelhead and the improvements to this diversion relieve unnecessary energetic costs to the fish.  Pre and post photo points, pre and post project cross-sections were compleated.

Pre-Photo Upper Ramsey Diversion, August 11, 2010.

Post-Photo Upper Ramsey Diversion, February 27, 2013.

Pre-Photo of the Lower Ramsey Diversion, June 1, 2011.

Post-Photo of the Lower Ramsey Diversion, February 27, 2013.

Meredith/ Beech Creek Planting 2012.   (BPA Contract: 56050, WE: W) 

 Beech Creek is located about 4 miles north of Mount Vernon, Oregon on Hwy 395, a tributary of the mainstem of the John Day River . This is part of a larger instream habitat project in partnership with several agencies and the landowners.  The overall project includes; converting historic agricultural fields to riparian floodplain meadows, floodplain connection in Beech Creek, and installing LWD to promote channel sinuosity.  CTWS contributed labor and supplies to revegetate the riparian area to plant upland fields with native seed mix and plant species.  Cooperative agencies include BOR, USFWS, ODFW, Grant SWCD, CTWS, Landowner & OWEB.

• Project Location: 44.4466, -119.0483.
• Project Cost: BPA $30,500; OWEB Grant # 212-6028 $123,963.

Beech Creek is listed within the John Day Basin recovery Plan as a priority watershed for the spawning and rearing of steelhead, some of the key limiting factors are fish passage, flow, sediment load, and habitat complexity. The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan list Beech Creek as a medium priority stream for restoration.  The project installed native rooted vegetation and willow bundles at the 31 instream structures, planted native grass seed at the disturbed areas around the instream structures.  Installed 10 wire browse exclosures and planted rooted vegetation within them.  The installation of jute matting along the bank cutback areas and seeding with native grass seed mix.  Monitoring of the project will include pre and post photo points, and plant survival rates.

Installation of browse exclosures, November 2012.

Installation of rooted plants at instream structures, November 2012.

Mountain Creek Habitat 2010 - 2012.  (BPAContract: 46942, WE: O; 56288, WE: N, O, P)

 Mountain Creek, a tributary of the mainstem John Day River is located along Hwy 26 approximately 15 miles east of Mitchell, Oregon.  The project has been set up into several phases due to size of the project, multiple culverts have been removed and replace with bridges, a by-pass channel currently provides little habitat or complexity. The historic channel is being restored in order to provided the needed complexity to the stream. The project has been completed in several phases, providing 2.5 miles of historical habitat and passage issues. Culverts were replaced with bridges, fencing, and CREP enrollment and plantings are included in the habitat project.  Cooperative agencies include Wheeler SWCD, USFWS, ODFW, CTWS, OWEB and the lansowner.

• 2.5 miles of accessible stream habitat.
• Upper Bridge location: 44.5269, -119.91175; Lower Bridge Location: 44.52632, -119.90668; Stream Habitat 44.5261, -119.9083.
• Project Cost: BPA $192,412; OWEB Grant $181,475.

Project work began in July 2010, with several phases to complete the project. Phase II of the project was completed on August 31, 2012.  Mountain Creek is listed within the John Day Basin Recovery Plan as a priority watershed for the spawning and rearing of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), some of the key limiting factors are fish passage water quality, and habitat complexity. The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan list Mountain Creek as a priority stream and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife list Mountain Creek as a steelhead spawning and rearing habitat.

The project removed passage barriers on Mountain Creek, increased fish habitat, riparian fencing should allow vegetation recovery, which will improve water quality by reducing temperatures and sediment from cattle.

Pre and post photo points, total station survey at the 2012 bridges.

Pre-Photo Mountain Creek Habitat, March 4, 2010.

Post-Photo Mountain Creek Habitat, April 13, 2011.

Pre-Photo of undersized culvert on Mountain Creek, July 11, 2012.

Installed bridge on Mountain Creek, October 23, 2012.

Painted Hills Bridge 2009.  (BPA Contract: 37186, WE: O)

Painted Hills Bridge, located near Mitchell, Oregon consisted of removing a perched culvert and replacing it with a steel bridge. A portion of the bank was pulled back and stabilized with vegetation and other material.  The project provided 6.5 miles of improved passage on Bridge Creek, improved erosion issues, and riparian plantings to help reduce stream temperatures.  Project partners included Wheeler SWCD and OWEB.

• 6.5 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Project Location:  44.65627, -120.25443.
• Project Cost: BPA $152,000, OWEB $80,000.

Project was selected based upon limiting factors prioritized in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009). Tributary habitat and impaired fish passage are both key limiting factors.  Photo points and plant survival studies.  Project pre-photos were taken on April 1, 2009, and the project was completed on August 6, 2009. Additional plantings and maintenance of the vegetation has continued to current date.

Pre-Project photo, Painted Hills culvert, April 1, 2009.

Post-Project photo, Painted Hills bridge, August 9, 2011.

Panama Lay-Flat Diversion 2008.  (BPA Contract: 37186, WE: AM)

 Panama Diversion is located west of John Day, Oregon on the mainstem John Day River. A gravel push-up dam was replaced in 2008 with a lay-flat stanchion type diversion, which has allowed the irrigation water to be diverted without the yearly gravel disturbance from the push-up and the barrier passage issues. The project provided .8 mile of passage improvement on the mainstem channel, and removed the disturbance from the yearly install of the push-up diversion.  Project work took place and was completed during the 2008 instream work period.

• 0.8 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Project Location: 44.41652, -119.05496.
• Project Cost: $51,000.

The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan lists the Upper John Day as a watershed with fish passage as one of the main limiting factors for recovery. It also ranks high in this area for restoring degraded channels and maintaining properly functioning channel structure and complexity. The project will protect any further disturbance to help allow natural vegetation to recover, additionally GSWCD install some log structures above the diversion to help stabilize the bank.  The project removed a passage barrier in the Upper John Day, providing access into the upper reaches of the stream and additional tributaries.  Pre and post photo points were taken to document and monitor the project.

Pre-Photo Panama Diversion, August 8, 2007.

Post-Photo Panama Diversion, September 2008.

Parrish Creek Fence & Planting 2010.  (BPAContract: 45904, WE: U) 

 The Parrish Creek project is located near Spray, Oregon on the Circle W Ranch off of Waterman County Road.  In 2010 approximately 3 .5 miles of riparian area along Parrish Creek was fenced with barbed wire and several water gaps were built for stock watering sites. The CTWS staff planted native plant cuttings, and some rooted stock, some tubes were used for additional plant protection.

• Protected 3.5 miles of riparian habitat.
• Project Location: 44.79960, -119.80578.
• Project Cost:  $16,147.00 

Parrish Creek is a steelhead index stream that has been surveyed for redds since 1959.  Parrish Creek steelhead redd surveys have average over the last five years a .6 redds/mile with a high occurring in 1987 of 14.3 redds/mile.  Parrish Creek has in the past been a high producer of steelhead and possibly can return to its former state with some focused restoration activities of juniper removal, riparian restoration, and channel habitat enhancements. It is identified as a priority 1 moderate restoration benefit location for the Lower John Day Basin in the Mid-C Conservation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Steelhead Populations.  The planting projects should improved water quality by increasing riparian function including bank stability and stream shading. The habitat features increased instream habitat complexity providing a direct benefit to fish.

Project photos, HOBO temperature logger has been deployed for two years. No pre photos were taken of the site, or other monitoring, canopy coverage data would have been beneficial in determining the success of the fence and riparian planting.

Parrish Creek Fence, November 2010.

Completed Parrish Creek fence, November 2010.

Rowe Creek Fish Passage Improvement 2012.  (BPA Contract: 56228, WE: AW, AX) 

Rowe Creek is located near Teickenham, Oregon and is a tributary of the Lower John Day River.  This fish passage improvement project on Rowe Creek, replaces a culverted stream crossing that consisted of two 30” HDPE culverts that are perched approximately 5-6 feet above the stream channel, with a bridge and provide passage with a constructed roughened riffle.  The project is designed to provide fish passage under all flow conditions, stabilize and maintain passage above and below the stream crossing.  The project provided .5 miles of historical habitat and passage and was compleated in December 2012.

• 0.5 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Project Location: 44.76518, -120.20219.
• Project Cost: $100,000.

Rowe Creek is listed within the John Day Basin Recovery Plan as a priority watershed (Lower JDR Service Creek HUC5) for the spawning and rearing of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss).  The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan list Rowe Creek as a priority stream and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have identified Rowe Creek as a summer steelhead spawning and rearing habitat.  Rowe creek is identified as essential indigenous anadromous salmonid habitat in the State of Oregon.  The project removed a passage barrier on Rowe Creek, increased available fish habitat, along with established CREP riparian fencing should allow vegetation recovery, which will improve water quality by reducing temperatures and sediment from cattle.  Pre and post photo points were taken to document and monitor the project.

Pre-Photo Rowe Creek perched culvert, December 5, 2012.

Post-Photo completed Rowe Creek fish passage, December 21, 2012.

Rowe Creek Fish Passage Assessment 2012-2013.  (BPA Contract: 56228, WE: AZ) 

 Rowe Creek is located near Teickenham, Oregon and is a tributary of the Lower John Day River (44.76518 -120.20219).  This fish passage assessment project  will provide possible passage solution to ten identified fish passage impediments on the lower portion of Rowe Creek.  Identified impediments include; a headcut at mouth, undersized culverts, crossing ford, pond spillways, and a county road crossing.  The assessment and analysis of potential solutions for the identified fish passage impediments will be completed in early 2013.

• Project Location: 44.76518, -120.20219.
• Project Cost: $80,000.

Rowe Creek is listed within the John Day Basin Recovery Plan as a priority watershed (Lower JDR Service Creek HUC5) for the spawning and rearing of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss).  The Mid-Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan list Rowe Creek as a priority stream and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have identified Rowe Creek as a summer steelhead spawning and rearing habitat.  Rowe creek is identified as essential indigenous anadromous salmonid habitat in the State of Oregon.  The project removed a passage barrier on Rowe Creek, increased available fish habitat, along with established CREP riparian fencing should allow vegetation recovery, which will improve water quality by reducing temperatures and sediment from cattle.

Pre-photos were taken to document and monitor the progress of this project.

Rowe Creek, lower pond spillway February 24, 2012.

Rowe Creek, underwater culvert at lower pond, February 24, 2012.     

Rowe Creek, middle pond spillway, February 24, 2012.

Rowe Creek, county road crossing with perched culverts, December 5, 2012.

St. Clair Riparian Planting 2011.  (BPA Contract: 45904, WE: N, Y) 

 St. Clair Riparian Planting project was located near the town of Izee on the South Fork John Day River. Potted alder, Osier, choke cherry, current, and cottonwoods were planted in the riparian area, along with 12 willow bundles. 

• Project Location: 44.0648, -119.37216.
• Project Cost: $14,000. 

This project location was selected based upon landowner cooperation and project value for improving riparian vegetation, controlling and improving bank erosion, and improving water quality to the John Day River system. The South Fork John Day River is listed in the TMDL as temperature impaired and the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009) stated that tributary habitat, including water quality and altered hydrology is one of the four major limiting factors to steelhead populations in the John Day River Basin.  The intention of the planting project is to improve water quality by increasing riparian function including bank stability and stream shading.  Continued plant survival monitoring will aid in improving future planting projects.

Pre and post photo points, plant survival estimates.  Monitoring of the project will include pre and post photo points, and plant survival rates.

Post-Photo St. Clair riparian planting, South Fork John Day River, June 24, 2011.

Post-Photo St Clair riparian planting, South Fork John Day River, June 24, 2011.

Big Wall Creek Fish Passage Improvement 2012-2013.  (BPA Contract: 56228, WE: AU)

 This project is located within the Wall Creek watershed on Big Wall Creek and two of its tributaries, Little Wilson Creek and Willow Spring Creek, a tributary watershed to the North Fork John Day River in Grant County.  This watershed has the potential to provide additional critical spawning and rearing habitat for Middle Columbia (MC) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as threatened. This project is intended to improve aquatic organism passage by removing an 18 inch headcut on Big Wall Creek, and improving the FS 23 road crossing on Little Wilson Creek with a modified cattleguard that are acting as passage barriers.  This will open up an additional 3.6 miles of spawning and rearing habitat that is currently blocked by these barriers.  Additionally this project will allow for the survey and design for the culvert at Willow Spring Creek at FS 23 road, which is a barrier to steelhead migration, and when completed will open up an additional 1.4 miles of stream habitat.  This project allows for the opportunity to build a restoration partnership between the US Forest Service – Umatilla National Forest, the Prineville BLM, and the CTWS offices. 1500 feet up stream of channel and sediment control, restore 3.6 miles of steelhead passage on Little Wilson Creek that has been disconnected from Big Wall Creek.

• When compleated will open up 5 miles of accessible upstream habitat.
• Project Location: Big Wall Creek, 44.92822, -119.59295; Little Wilson Creek, 44.93013, -119.49621; Willow Spring Creek, 44.92268, -119.56287.
• Project Cost: BPA $1,443; EcoTrust WWRI $89,354; Total Project $ 300,174.

Big Wall Creek is on the 303(d) list for sediment impairment, and several of its tributaries are passage barriers near their confluences with Big Wall Creek. Treatments to address limiting factors to meadow function and aquatic organism passage improvement were identified in the 2009 Wall Creek Watershed Action Plan as high priority actions.  The Big Wall Creek headcut treatment has been completed and replanted in 2012, see pictures below.  The Little Wilson creek passage improvement and the Willow Spring Creek items are still in progress at this time.  Prineville BLM/ Umatilla National Forest/Ecotrust.  Cooperative partnerships that can be built and maintained will allow the partnership to leverage funds to complete important projects that may otherwise not be achievable by a single agency.

Pre-Photo Big Wall Creek Headcut.

Post-Photo Big Wall Creek headcut treatment compleated and replanted.

Woodward Pipeline Phase #2, 2010.  (BPA Contract: 46942, WE: Q)

Woodward Pipeline project is located about 6 miles southwest of Mitchell, Oregon on Gable Creek. Gable Creek is a key salmonid stream within the watershed and drains into Bridge Creek. This is a continuation of the Woodward Phase #1, the ditch loss is greater than 50%. Converting the open ditch to a piped ditch will create a significant water savings.  The project will pipe an additional 10,000 feet of open irrigation ditch, creating a significant water savings that will allow more water to be left instream.

• Project Location:  44.52066, -120.26983.
• Project Cost: BPA $65,000; OWEB $73,428.

Project was selected based upon limiting factors prioritized in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Recovery Plan (2009). Tributary habitat and impaired fish passage are both key limiting factors.  The project in approximately 2.5 miles of stream reach by returning 1.7 cfs of unprotected water to the stream. Increased flows will help to reduce the stream temperatures in Gable and Bridge Creek, improving steelhead habitat.
Photo points.  Project pre-photos were taken during the irrigation season, the project was completed on November 1, 2010.

Pre-Project photo showing open irrigation ditch on the Maxwell Ranch.

Post-Project photo Maxwell Ranch, March 12, 2012.

Education and Outreach 2009-2012.  (BPA Contract: 37190 WE: J; 45904 WE: J)

The CTWS John Day Basin Office has participated in many activities that incorporate educational and community outreach aspects to interact with the community on a wide variety of topics that the program is involved with.  These have included the following;

2009 - 2012 Education and Outreach activities; 

• Setup and worked a booth at the Grant County Fair.
• Assisted and funded John Day's Kid's Fishing Day.
• Taught multiple classes at Natural Resource 4-H Camp.
• Worked with Fossil High School students planting and monitoring Kinzua Planting project.
• Salmon field trip and talk to Prairie City Elementary School students.
• Taught macroinvertebrate class at Natural Resource 4-H Camp.
• Setup and worked a booth at the Grant County Fair. 
• Taught macroinvertebrate class at Humbolt Elementary Outdoor School.
• Taught one day macroinvertebrate and fish habitat concepts to Humbolt Elementary school 2nd grade students.
• Taught one day course on stream hydrology to Humbolt Elementary School 3rd grade students.
• Setup and worked a booth at Ripples In Time celebration.
• Recruited and supervised community volunteers at the Oxbow fish salvage.
• Participated in local community fund raising events.

Natural Resources Camp, Stream Simulator demonstration.

Natural Resources Camp, Salmon lifecycle presentation.

Natural Resources Camp, Traditional salmon bake.

John Day Basin Effectiveness Monitoring Program (BPA Contract: 56050, WE: G; 45904, WE: D, F, G, H, BG; 37190, WE: D, F, G, H, I; 32153 WE: C, E, G, H)

The framework of the John Day Effectiveness Monitoring Program is two-fold. To comply with BPA contracting requirements, the Program monitors and evaluates project compliance of all BPA funded restoration projects implemented by CTWS throughout the John Day River Basin. The Program also conducts status and trend monitoring that corresponds with our tribal mission.

Project effectiveness monitoring is conducted based on the framework of conducting pre-project implementation surveys and then multiple post-implementation surveys. Collecting pre- and post-implementation data allows us to compare survey results and evaluate the direct impact habitat restoration projects have on stream geomorphology. Conducting multiple post-implementation surveys allows us to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of restoration projects, which is used to guide future restoration efforts.

            The Program monitors an average of over 40 habitat restoration projects per year in the Basin. Project strategies vary, but all projects aim to address limiting factors that influence fish populations. Monitoring objectives and procedures vary based on the project's specific goals.

Attributes monitored include:

• Topology
• Stream width-to-depth ratios
• In-stream shade
• Water temperature
• Substrate composition
• Fish abundance
• Macroinvertebrates
• Flow
• Water quality measures including: coliform, phosphate, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, p.H., alkalinity, turbidity
• Canopy cover
• Riparian plant composition
• Bank stability
• Plant survival

Project specific data is analyzed and summarized into annual reports for each year (2011 Monitoring Report: Document ID#P130960).

Table. Location, bankfull widths, depths, and W/D ratios for cross-section transects taken at the Jacobs Lower Island mainstem diversion in 2010 and 2011.

Location, bankfull widths, depths, and W/D ratios for cross-section transects taken at the Big Boulder Diversion project location in 2008 and 2011.

Status and trend monitoring is also conducted primarily focused on water temperature. Spring through Fall water temperatures are collected at some random locations as well as some standard sites throughout the Basin. Water temperatures are analyzed based on the standards set in the TMDL which is based on the fish species of interest and the fishes utilization (i.e. spawning, rearing, migration) of the water body. Water temperatures from the standard sites are compared to the previous years data from the same locations to assess general water temperature trends. All results are presented in a water temperature specific annual report (2011 Temperature Monitoring Report: Document ID# P130959).

Figure. Seasonal 7-day temperatures on Mountain Creek in 2011. Dotted line indicates TMDL temperature standard.

Figure. 7-day temperatures for various years between 2004 -2011 at the location on the mainstem John Day at the FCA upstream boundary.

Currently, all monitoring data is housed at the CTWS John Day Basin Office and is free to the public upon request. Knowledge gained from effectiveness monitoring is pass along to our partners through formal and informal meetings.

Staff conducting cross section data collection.

Staff collecting flow measurements.

Middle Fork Intensively Monitored Watershed Program

The JDWR participates in the Middle Fork Intensively Monitored Watershed as part of the working group and cost-shares with BOR and USGS for operation of the Camp Creek gaging station on the Middle Fork above Camp Creek.

The goal of the IMW program is to measure the effect of habitat restoration on salmon and trout productivity. (Bilby et al. 2004; PNAMP 2005). Financial and logistical constraints make the IMW approach impractical for all restoration actions. Therefore, the IMW approach must be implemented in the framework of experimental management where the goals are to benefit the resource while maximizing learning so that the result can be extrapolated to other situations (Walters 1986). Generalization beyond a single system requires knowledge of mechanistic interactions or multiple ecosystem studies (Carpenter et. al. 1995). Directed research within an IMW might reveal the mechanisms by which the environment influences population performance of salmonids in a cost effective manner. In addition, the lessons learned from this network of IMWs, will enable the region to implement further restoration with greater confidence without the rigorous effectiveness monitoring of the IMW approach. 

In May of 2007 the Upper Middle Fork Working Group (UMFWG) convened and began to develop a plan for the implementation of the Middle Fork IMW. The group determined that it will take a minimum of 5-10 years for the effects of restoration activities on salmonids populations to be to be detected. Therefore, an anticipated study length of at least 10 years was assumed during the design of the initial plan. This time period was used in determining both the items to be monitored and the methods to be used. This newly established program for watershed scale effectiveness monitoring builds on a variety of collaborative restoration and monitoring projects in the basin including; ODFW’s Chinook salmon and steelhead monitoring, USFS temperature and PIBO monitoring, NFJDWC water quality monitoring, CTWSRO conservation area programs and monitoring performed by TNC. 

The goals of the Middle Fork IMW are to improve adult and juvenile salmonid freshwater habitat in the Middle Fork IMW study area using a variety of restoration actions, to assess how restoration actions alter stream habitat conditions, and to understand the casual mechanisms between stream habitat restoration and changes in salmonids production at the watershed scale. The Middle Fork IMW restoration area and focus of monitoring has been defined as the mainstem and all of the tributaries entering the Middle Fork from the confluence of Big Creek upstream to the confluence of Summit Creek. 

The Middle Fork Working Group has identified temperature as the most important attribute needing restoration and protection. TIR (thermal infrared) flights indicate that temperature is potentially a leading cause for limiting parr production in mainstem habitats during summer months. Surveys conducted during 2006 on the Middle Fork indicated a two-order magnitude difference in parr density between the warm mainstem (19.5°C) and cooler tributary (15°C) habitats. Surface water temperatures during 2003 FLIR flights on the mainstem Middle Fork exceeded 20 °C throughout many of the stream reaches that were occupied by salmonids during other periods of the year (Figure 9). In assessing the TIR data (Figure 9), it appears that a modest 1-2°C decrease in summer temperatures to near 20°C could expand summer rearing habitat in the mainstem Middle Fork by more than two-fold thereby providing the potential for a significant increase in smolt production. Spawning surveys for Chinook salmon in August and September 2007 discovered high pre-spawning mortality in the Middle Fork subbasin due to warm temperature in July (Ruzycki et al. 2007). This discovery supports the hypothesis that summer water temperatures in the Middle Fork mainstem produce a bottleneck and therefore limits smolt production especially after years of high escapement. 

Figure 9. Longitudinal profiles of surface water temperatures from TIR surveys conducted during August 2003 by Watershed Sciences LLC. The horizontal line indicates the warmest temperature (adjusted to surface temp.) where we have observed Chinook parr during summer surveys of the past three years. Temperature and location of important tributary confluences is also shown (MFIMW Experimental design 2010). 

The limiting factors identified through the Recovery Planning, Subbasin Planning, and BOR assessment processes, as well as those identified by the Working Group, form the basis for the type of restoration planned by Working Group partners. Restoration actions have been divided into SIX separate categories: 1) channel reconfiguration and floodplain reconnection; 2) fish passage, 3) flow increase, 4) grazing/upland management, 5) instream habitat enhancement, and 6) riparian fencing and planting. 

Each of these restoration types has a specific time scale that needs to be explicitly recognized. For example, riparian fencing, planting, and upland management (e.g., fencing riparian areas) will likely take much more time to detect an influence on the stream channel and instream habitat complexity because vegetation, especially trees, will take a decade or more to grown large enough to provide shade and LWD recruitment, whereas instream structures will likely have a more immediate influence (e.g., 1-3 years). These time scale issues need to be reflected in the experimental and monitoring design on the IMW. 

The challenge facing the Middle Fork IMW is that multiple restoration treatments have and will be implemented throughout the Upper Middle Fork John Day River. This is not an ideal situation for detection a population level response and attributing the response to a specific action or mechanistic function. To complicate things further, some restoration activities have been implemented without pre-treatment monitoring and control sites are not always available for some restoration actions. However, many watersheds have had multiple restoration actions implemented with limited pre-treatment data collected, and hence the Middle Fork IMW is a good test case for whether these types of multi-project restoration efforts are able to detect a population changes and elucidate the cause and effect relationships present. Given this complexity, we are proposing multiple experimental designs to help achieve the IMW goals and objectives. Each experimental design will have its own scope, scale of inference, set of hypotheses to test, and specific monitoring requirements. 

The MFIMW proposes to use a variety of response variables to evaluate whether fish are responding to changes in habitat as expected (Figure 10). The type of response variable used will be determined by the proposed experimental design and the type of monitoring currently being conducted. Some response variables may be of insufficient precision to be useful in modeling fish response to restoration and further power analysis will be required to determine which variables will provide the most robust assessment of treatment effects. 

Figure 10. Potential response variables to be used to detect the effects of stream restoration on Chinook and steelhead populations in the Middle Fork IMW study area (MFIMW Experimental design 2010). 

A common treatment and control designs that is used to detect changes from a treatment is commonly referred to as a before-after-treatment-control or BACI design. This design monitors proposed treatment and control sites prior to the implementation of restoration. Ideally, the pre-treatment monitoring should occur for a minimum of a complete life cycle of the species of interest (e.g., for Chinook salmon in the John Day River this would be 4-5 years). However, one possible weakness of BACI design is that treatments (i.e., restoration) are often implemented in a single year and hence, the potential effects of the treatment may be influenced by the particular year effects (e.g., stream condition or size of adult escapement for that particular year). One approach that has been suggested to deal with possible year effects is the “staircase” design whereby treatments are staggered over multiple years (Walters et al. 1988, Loughin 2006, Loughin et al. 2007). There are several advantages to using a staircase design. First, the staggering of the treatments over time allows for the distinction between the random effects of year and year x treatment interactions. This prevents random initial environmental or biological conditions from having an overriding effect on the ability of the experiment to detect true treatment effects. Second, by staggering treatments within the treatment area, treatment sections can be used as controls until they are treated, guarding against loss of other control areas and eventually allowing treatment of the whole watershed resulting in greater watershed scale restoration effects and benefits. Third, from a logistical standpoint, manipulation of a subset of treatment reaches is more feasible than manipulation all treatment reaches within a year. 

At the largest scale of comparisons, The MFIMW plans to evaluate the response of Chinook and steelhead populations to all restoration activities implemented in the Middle Fork IMW study area to two potential control watersheds (Figure 11). A BACI-like design will be employed to maximize spatial and temporal contrast and to help filter noise caused by factors such as out-of-basin effects (e.g., Columbia River hydrosystem, ocean conditions, harvest, etc.) and climatic variation when possible. Figure 12 shows the current locations of control and treatment reaches currently being studied. The experimental design will be different for each species because of the distribution of each species within watersheds, types of monitoring currently in place, and logistical constraints. 

Figure 11. Watershed level experimental design schematic for the Middle Fork IMW. Arrows indicate approximate locating of smolt traps and circle indicates approximate location of seining site used for juvenile emigration monitoring (figure modified from Wilson et al. 2009). 

Figure 12. Location of treatment and control sections for assessing the effect of restoration activities on the mainstem of the Middle Fork John Day River. Note the most upstream control reach is longer than depicted and ends at Summit Creek (MFIMW Experimental design 2010). 

The Middle Fork IMW is complicated by the variety of restoration projects being implemented and the scope of the projects. One promising alternative approach to assessing the effects of all each restoration category and location is to use a temperature modeling approach. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has been conducting monitoring in the John Day basin since 2002 in support of Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Load (of pollutants) establishment. Total maximum daily loads (TMDL) are target water quality standards. Standards typically contain threshold values for water quality conditions such as pollutant concentration, pH, dissolved oxygen, or temperature. The temperature standard numeric criteria in the John Day is based on salmonid life cycles as the most sensitive beneficial use of basin waters. TMDL monitoring in the MF John Day subbasin has been designed to address temperature concerns of the Clean Water Act 303(d) Listing. 

One of the main objectives of the TMDL in the John Day is to quantify the conditions leading to high temperature. For temperature, the TMDL process assesses the existing and estimated natural potential heat loads. Further, these heat loads are translated into more intuitive measurable targets such as percent effective shade and channel width. Because temperature is the major limiting factor for salmonids found in the Middle Fork subbasin, the TMDL process can be highly informative to synthesize how many of the habitat processes that will be manipulated will affect the overall temperature profile of the Middle Fork John Day. 

In order to implement this process, a calibrated model has been developed by BOR and ISEMP with the following data from ongoing Middle Fork IMW monitoring programs and analysis of available geospatial data including: 

-Flow volume and velocity, wetted channel width and depth, and effective shade (daily solar radiant energy blocked by vegetation and topography) 

-Temperature, temporally and spatially, based on all relevant heat transfer processes including evaporation, bed conduction, convection, mass transfer, short wave (direct and diffuse) and long wave radiation 

The existing model can be used to assess different levels of restoration within the watershed. The MFIMW proposes to sum up all the completed and proposed restoration activities as of 2007 and model the potential change to overall temperature profile of the stream. Changes resulting from restoration will provide insights into the mechanisms by which restoration actions will impact this common limiting factor throughout the Columbia River basin, a goal of the IMW process. Other studies in the John Day pilot project will develop relationships between stream reach temperature and salmon and steelhead productivity. The TMDL can then be used to evaluate how alternative habitat restoration efforts may affect stream temperatures and ultimately fish productivity. 

Monitoring and assessment of vegetation, hydrology, morphology and meteorological conditions will provide input for temperature modeling (one-dimensional thalwag characterization). The temperature model will be calibrated spatially to airborne thermal infrared data and temporally to instream temperature data loggers (both part of the temperature monitoring component of this project). Based on historical information including aerial photography, literature, local knowledge, and current undisturbed conditions, system potential channel shape and vegetation will be assessed. These estimated conditions will provide the basis for simulation of a more natural shading and temperature regime. Specific analytical methods can be found in Analytical Methods for Dynamic Open Channel Heat and Mass Transfer (Boyd and Kasper 2003, www.heatsource.info), and are summarized in TMDLs (e.g., Klamath, Umatilla) that can be found on DEQ’s website: http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/TMDLs/TMDLs.htm. 

The ISEMP John Day Pilot project is developing a model to map potential fish growth across stream reaches of the John Day by combining models that estimate heat budgets using physical inputs and bioenergetics models that use these heat budgets and invertebrate abundance information to estimate fish growth. To assess the fine-scale changes in water temperature associated with specific restoration techniques a Fiber Optic Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS) will be deployed before and after project implementation, and at determined intervals in the future to monitor the effectiveness of specific restoration techniques in regard to water temperatures. This fine scale temperature analysis will also allow for the calibration of the Heat Source™ model 7.0 and provide a better understanding of the thermal characteristics of the river. 

This technique reports the temperature of a fiber optic cable each meter at a precision of 0.01 degree C. Dr. John Selker has pioneered this method in stream applications (Selker et al., 2006a, b), and will be involved as the lead investigator in the study. Each stream reach to be restored will be instrumented with two DTS cables, one parallel to each bank, to capture the local micro-habitats found on the inside and outside portions of serpentine stream channels. Each section will be monitored for two weeks prior to restoration efforts, then two weeks each for the two years following restoration. All monitoring will take place in the July 15- Sept 15 period during which peak temperatures are usually observed. Long-term observation points separated by 200m will be maintained over the entire duration of the grant using Onset Corp. Hobo data loggers, recording hourly temperatures. 

In order to track climatic conditions and to provide additional data for the Heat Source model, two solar powered, wireless transmitting weather stations will be placed in the watershed. One will be placed on property owned by The Nature Conservancy near the mouth of Horse 35 Creek, another placed on property owned by CTWSRO near the mouth of Vinegar Creek, and a third located near the managers quarters on the Oxbow Conservation Area. The weather stations will have Viasala WXT520 weather sensors which measure wind speed and direction, precipitation, barometric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. Each station will also have a precipitation gage and precipitation collector, that will measure both rain and snow fall. In addition one of the weather stations will be equipped with a Kipp & Zonen Net radiometer that will measure the energy balance between incoming short-wave and long-wave infrared radiation versus surface-reflected short-wave and outgoing long-wave infrared radiation. 

The UMFWG partners have plans for a significant number of restoration projects of varying size and scope to be implemented over the next 10 years. Between 2007 and 2011 fifteen projects are planned on the mainstem and twenty-two are scheduled for the tributaries. Restoration actions planned and implemented by IMW partners cover approximately 5% of the project area (Figure 13). In addition barrier removal projects will impact approximately 10% of the watershed. These projects have been planned by the IMW partners based on 1) restoration priorities developed by IMW partner agencies and those identified in the John Day Subbasin Plan, 2) funding availability, 3) the likelihood of the restoration action impacting the limiting factors discussed in the previous section.

Figure 13. Restoration actions planned and completed within the study area (MFIMW Experimental design 2010).

Based on these limiting factors restoration actions have been divided into SIX categories; 

1) Channel Reconfiguration; 

2) Fish Passage 

3) Flow Increase; 

4) Grazing Upland/Management; 

5) In stream habitat enhancement, and 

6) Riparian Fencing and Planting. 

Current fish monitoring efforts by ODFW include monitoring of both adult and juvenile life history stages of spring Chinook salmon and summer steelhead. Additional information is incidentally collected for other species including Pacific lamprey and bull trout. Spawning ground surveys that count redds and spawning adults have been conducted for Chinook and steelhead in the John Day River basin for more than 45 years (McCormick et al. 2009). Rotary screw traps (RST) have been operated since 2004 near Ritter on the Middle Fork (RKM 24), and on the proposed control watershed of the South Fork John Day River. These traps enumerate juvenile Chinook and steelhead emigrating from the basins above the trap location. Juveniles are also implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags at trap sites allowing for measures of abundance from mark/recapture and out-of-basin survival (e.g. smolt to adult returns [SAR]). As part of the Middle Fork IMW, macroinvertebrate monitoring was initiated in 2009 to augment fisheries surveys. Together the fisheries and macroinvertebrate monitoring programs will be used to determine biological responses to restoration activities. The primary objectives of the biological monitoring program in the Middle Fork IMW study area are to estimate: 

-Spawner escapement of summer steelhead and spring Chinook to the MFJDR, 

-Freshwater productivity (smolts/redd) of spring Chinook and summer steelhead, 

-Parr-to-smolt survival for summer steelhead and spring Chinook, 

-Summer distribution of Chinook and steelhead, and 

-Estimate aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance. 

Restoration as part of the Middle Fork IMW has the potential to alter the basin water temperature regime. The relationship between the metabolic processes that determine potential growth for juvenile salmonids and temperature have been well described in bioenergetics models (Elliott 1976, Rand et al. 1993, Rodnick et al. 2004). Juvenile salmonid growth rates are also highly dependent on food availability in the form of invertebrates drifting in the water column. Thus, predictions of juvenile salmonid growth rates made using bioenergetics models are also highly dependent on parameters that describe food availability and consumption. 

ISEMP researchers as part of the Bridge Creek IMW, OR and Asotin Creek IMW, WA have been developing methods for describing how juvenile salmonid consumption varies in response to food availability measured as invertebrate drift samples (Figure 14). Predictions of juvenile salmonid consumption from this relationship can used in bioenergetics models that incorporate measure of stream temperature to make much more accurate predictions of fish growth. Thus, measures of invertebrate drift have the potential to increase the understanding of how juvenile salmonid populations may respond to restoration actions meant to alter stream temperature. 

Figure 14. Relationship O. mykiss consumption (P-values) and total drift biomass (mg 100m-3). (MFIMW Experimental design 2010).

The aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring program aims to detect changes in macroinvertebrate community condition in the IMW and statistically relate these changes to restoration activities (Cole and Saltman 2010). A set for 10 monitoring sites were randomly selected from 15 existing PIBO monitoring along the mainstem of the Middle Fork. The original PIBO sites were selected using the GRTS sample site protocol. The South Fork will be used as the control watershed. The GRTS procedure was used to draw a set of 10 sample sites from the mainstem of the South Fork from the confluence with the mainstem John Day River upriver to its confluence with Venator Creek. 

Annual field sampling will occur annually each late summer or early fall between late August and early October. Sampling during this relatively narrow seasonal window will minimize variability in community composition introduced by seasonal turnover in taxa in the benthic community. Field sampling will be performed at each site using the kick-net sampling protocols as described Heitke et al. (2008). These protocols are similar to those used by Oregon DEQ (DEQ 2003). Following these protocols, two 0.09 m2 benthic samples are collected from each of four riffle habitat units within the sample reach using a D-frame kick net. All 8 samples are combined into a single composite sample, which is preserved in 80% ethanol (dilution after adding to sample material) for later sorting and identification at a laboratory. A duplicate sample should be taken at one treatment site and at one control site each year to estimate variability associated with sampling error. For additional laboratory procedures see Cole and Saltman (2010). 

The habitat monitoring program for the Middle Fork IMW includes surveys of hydrology, riparian vegetation, channel topography and bathymetry, upland condition, stream habitat and water temperature. Some of these monitoring programs have been conducted since the early 1990’s (e.g., ODFW aquatic surveys) while others have been established specifically to assess effect of Middle Fork IMW restoration activities. The primary objective of the habitat monitoring program is to detect changes in key habitat conditions at the site, reach, and basin scale. Examples of key habitat conditions include: abundance of pools, average depth of pools, elevation of groundwater and exchange rates between surface and hyporehic water, mean summer discharge, and 7-day average maximum summer water temperature. 

A network of 40 groundwater wells within three reaches of the Middle Fork was estblished to monitor groundwater levels relative to restoration activities and water temperature. The monitoring wells consist of a screened and slotted 2” diameter well pipe with a length of 5’. The well are set up in eight arrays of five wells each that are either full-valley or partial valley cross-sections. 

Understanding the role groundwater, hyporheic flow, and subsurface exchange plays in influencing water temperatures and base flow in the MFJD is valuable information. Water temperature is a major limiting factor and will affect the long term viability of salmonid production in the watershed. Research that documents the physical processes influencing water temperatures can be used to design better restoration projects, and identify other areas in the watershed where restoration can and should occur to influence stream temperatures. 

A USGS station at Ritter will be utilized to monitor water discharge from the Middle Fork study area. Four stage height recorders have been established to continually measure water surface elevation in designated restoration reaches on the OCA. Stream discharge will be measured and be used to develop a stage to discharge relationship. Analysis of this data will allow for the detection of changes in the quantity and timing of base flow post restoration. Location of the stage height recorders were established in conjunction with the Geomorphology monitoring locations to allow for the control of water discharge when measuring stream habitat. 

Topographic and bathymetric surveys will be conducted by the University of Oregon (U of O) lead by Dr. Patricia McDowell, and will focus on the mainstem Middle Fork treatment and control areas. Geomorphological responses to the restoration actions will be evaluated at multiple scales –site (e.g., as-built surveys), reach (e.g., cross-sections), and watershed scale (LiDAR and aerial photography). 

Several miles of riparian habitat have been fenced and planted as part of the conservation efforts on the property. The response of riparian habitat to fencing and planting will be assessed using a modified approach described by Winward (2000). A Proper Functioning Condition Assessment (PFC) was performed on the conservation areas covering 17.48 miles on 24 stream reaches in 2004, and at the same time grazing and haying operations were evaluated and monitoring suggestions were provided. 

There are several stream habitat survey programs that have been conducted in the Middle Fork IMW study area. These stream habitat programs provide data on a variety of habitat components that are known to be related to the abundance, productivity and survival of salmonid populations including frequency, abundance, and quality of fish cover, large woody debris, pools, sediment, habitat units, as well as basic channel geometry (e.g., width to depth). Between 2004 and 2007, ODFW also performed aquatic inventory habitat surveys at EMAP sample sites, some of which were located within the Middle Fork John Day River subbasin. Between 1990 and 1997, Oregon Plan aquatic habitat surveys were conducted by ODFW on the Middle Fork John Day River, Bridge Creek, Big Boulder Creek, Big Creek, and Granite Boulder Creek. Pacfish/Infish Biological Opinion (PIBO) monitoring has also occurred in the John Day River basin. All of these historic PIBO sites plus additional sites will be used as part of the Middle Fork IMW monitoring design. 

A total of 74 water temperature probes have been deployed in the Middle Fork IMW study area. The majority of these probes are in the mainstem between Bridge Creek and Summit Creek, but there are also probes at the mouth of several tributaries and in upstream locations of Camp, Granite Boulder, Bridge, and Vinegar Creeks. These probes collect water temperature every hour and will be used to calibrate the Temperature Model and determine if water temperature changes as a result of restoration activities. Some probes have been in place since 1999 and there are several years years of pre-treatment data. 

An examination of Chinook smolt production as a function of redd abundance for the entire John Day River basin has indicated that smolt/redd ratios plateau above an abundance of approximately 1,000 redds. This suggests that early life stage survival may be limiting expansion of the Chinook population. TIR flights indicate that temperature is potentially a leading cause for limiting parr production in mainstem habitats during summer months. If this is true, then temperatures need to be reduced to increase smolt production. By examining a longitudinal temperature profile of the Middle Fork John Day River from TIR, it appears that a modest 1-2°C decrease in summer temperatures to near 20°C could expand summer rearing habitat in the mainstem Middle Fork by more than two-fold thereby providing the potential for a measurable increase in smolt production. Therefore, it is expected to be able to detect a measurable fish production response if all recommended actions in the Mainstem of the Middle Fork are implemented. Additional conservation efforts, probably beyond current efforts, are needed to reduce temperatures that will eventually provide this measurable response.