The deschutes land trust- with support from the oregon department of fish and wildlife- will restore aquatic- floodplain- and upland habitat across 124 acres on the ochoco preserve- located in crook…

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $4,013,207.73 WaterSMART (CFDA 15.507) grant to the Deschutes Land Trust to restore 124 acres of aquatic, floodplain, and upland habitat at the Ochoco Preserve in Crook County, Oregon. The project aims to create over 2 miles of new main baseflow stream channels, 1.5 miles of side channels, and over 11 acres of wetlands to support reintroduced Spring Chinook salmon and Summer steelhead populations. Additional planned restoration efforts include 37 acres of floodplain and 75 acres of upland habitat enhancement. This project is supported by partnerships with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ochoco Irrigation District, Portland General Electric, and the City of Prineville. The award period is from April 15, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

The deschutes land trust- with support from the oregon department of fish and wildlife- will restore aquatic- floodplain- and upland habitat across 124 acres on the ochoco preserve- located in crook county- oregon- adjacent to the city of prineville. The crooked river and ochoco creek support reintroduced spring chinook salmon and summer steelhead- as well as a host of other native aquatic species. The waterways frequently experience low flows- elevated summer stream temperatures- and poor water quality. These issues are compounded by a lack of suitable habitats for both fish and terrestrial wildlife- and the impacts to river ecology of reclamations crooked river project- including bowman and ochoco dams. The deschutes land trust will lead efforts to create over 2 miles of new main baseflow stream channels- 1.5 miles of side channels- over 11 acres of wetland- and restore 37 acres of floodplain and 75 acres of upland habitat- significantly increasing available habitat for native species. The project is supported by several partners including the confederated tribes of the warm springs- oregon department of fish and wildlife- ochoco irrigation district- portland general electric- and the city of prineville.