This project will remove odfw statewide fish passage priority barrier murphy DAM and significantly improve access to 100 miles of spawning and rearing habitat on the applegate river and also improve…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the National Fish Passage Program (CFDA 15.685), awarded a $1,050,000 Cooperative Agreement to Waterwatch of Oregon on June 2, 2025, to be completed by June 2, 2028. The project aims to remove the ODFW-identified statewide fish passage priority barrier, Murphy Dam, and significantly improve access to 100 miles of spawning and rearing habitat on the Applegate River. It will also improve fish passage in the nearby Onion and Stringer Creek tributaries impacted by irrigation infrastructure. As part of the project, a new, properly screened pump with a pump house will be installed to maintain existing water use within the lands served by the Murphy Ditch Association, with pumping costs partially offset by the installation of a solar array.

This project will remove odfw statewide fish passage priority barrier murphy DAM and significantly improve access to 100 miles of spawning and rearing habitat on the applegate river and also improve fish passage in the nearby onion and stringer creek tributaries currently impacted by irrigation infrastructure. A new properly screened pump with pump house will be installed to maintain existing water use within lands served by DAM owner murphy ditch association with pumping costs partially offset by installation of a solar array.