Buck Hollow Watershed Project
The Buck Hollow project,
conceived in the early 80s, took a back seat to the sweeping changes of the
1985 farm bill which set up the Conservation Reserve Program. In the late 80s,
with the farm bill programs on line, attention turned again to Buck Hollow.
Initial planning was completed in 1990 and implementation began in 1991 with a
grant from the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board (GWEB). The project was
planned for 8 sequential phases beginning at the headwaters and wrapping up at
the mouth. The final phase of the Buck Hollow Watershed Project was completed
December 2005. Multiple funding sources
were used for the project.
Completion of the watershed
project was not the end of conservation work in the watershed. Ongoing work has included establishing
riparian buffer systems, range improvements, additional water and sediment
control basins, and many other conservation practices.
Watershed Description:
Buck Hollow Creek exhibits high peak flows and low summer base flows. In the past Buck Hollow was noted for its excellent fishery with runs of summer steelhead throughout the 28 miles of the main stem. Historic grazing patterns over 130 years with few, large, seasonal-use pastures led to the gradual deterioration of the watershed. Intense runoff events scoured out the stream courses, causing erosion and siltation of pools. Over half the watershed has been farmed at times with the remainder being used for range forage production. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrolled over half the cropland in permanent grass cover. Project work since 1991 has had a significant beneficial impact. Potential for sheet, rill and gully erosion has been reduced through applied conservation plans.
Bed cutting and stream bank erosion was typical in the main stream channel and many side draws. Severe scouring resulted in many under-vegetated areas. Significant vegetative improvement and considerable natural healing has been observed in areas under grazing management systems since the early 1990s. These changes are documented by photo point records.
Mouth of Buck
Hollow Creek at
Fish habitat continues to be limited by lack of late season water in the upper
reaches. High peak flows have been
somewhat mitigated, and have not resulted in significant water quality problems
since the project began. High summer
water temperatures from low flows and lack of shade reduces the aquatic value
of the watershed. Buck Hollow is listed
as a water quality limited stream due to high summer water temperatures. One of four temperature monitoring sites has
consistently met state standards every year.
Wildlife species are numerous within the watershed and
include resident herds of elk, deer, and antelope as well as chukar, quail, and many non-game species. The expanded areas of good upland habitat
have reduced riparian impacts and increased herd sizes. Riparian habitat within the basin is
improving where grazing management systems have been established. Many migrating species also depend on this
habitat. The ODFW District Wildlife
Biologist has noted improvements in game distribution in the watershed since
project implementation started in 1991.
Based on observed improved distribution, adverse impacts of wildlife
concentrations on riparian areas have been reduced.
Fish populations are still below potential. Species in the watershed include occasional Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, summer steelhead, chisel mouths, suckers, and dace. Steelhead redds have increased substantially since redd counts began in 1961. The last 7 years are among the 9 highest years for which data exists. Two other years with over 100 redds occurred in the 1960s. Stream miles utilized for spawning has also increased. Summer steelhead production potential is estimated at 1100 returning adults. Based on redd counts, estimated returning adults numbered approximately 578 in 2001 assuming an average of 1.3 fish per redd, a reasonably conservative figure according to ODFW. Numbers bottomed out in 1994, which is one of the driest years on record. Low summer flows, pool isolation, lack of cover and temperature extremes all contributed to the low numbers. The summer steelhead were listed as threatened in February 1999.
Until the project began, only a few old stands of cottonwoods remained, with no new seedlings. Juniper infestation was severe in many areas. Extensive seedling production of alders and willows has been noted in the riparian corridor. Upland ranges in phases 1 to 6 are in fair to good condition. Management plans have resulted in definite improving trends. Volumes of range condition data have been compiled since 1989. From 1989 (prior to project start) to 1995, data collected on nearly 20,000 acres spanning the first 3 project phases showed a near doubling of range productivity. Range condition can be expressed in AUM – animal unit months as a practical measure of the amount of forage available. For a watershed dominated by range land, range condition is a measure of watershed upland vegetative health.
Project Accomplishments & Financing
Summaries
Cumulative Accomplishments through Phase 8 (Dec. 2005)
Sediment Basins 172
each
Terraces 137,397
ft.
Grassed waterways 2
acres
Range improvement Seeding 1,499.9
ac.
Tree plantings 18,478
trees
Fencing 309,619 ft. (58.64 miles)
Juniper & Brush Control 1,804.8 acres
Spring Developments 17
each
Livestock wells 7
ea.
Solar powered livestock water facility 3 ea.
Pipeline 24,260
ft.
Livestock Trails 12.2
miles
Stream bank stabilization 5.2 miles (deflectors & juniper rip-rap)
Rosgen 'D' class stream 1
for 1.75 acres
segments treated
Riparian plantings
19.5 miles
Riparian
Pastures 11
Riparian
Exclosures 4
Wildlife & upland tree plantings 5 acres
Conservation & grazing plans 116,265 acres
Watershed Area treated ~126,000
acres (through ph 8)
Cumulative
Finances for Completed Phases Through 12/31/05
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