Three Klamath habitat restoration projects praised  

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board report notes higher fish counts, better riparian areas  

By STEVE KADEL

H&N Staff Writer

March 29, 2007

   Three Klamath County restoration projects are among those considered success stories by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. 

   The board is a state agency that promotes and funds voluntary actions to enhance Oregon ’s watersheds. 

   Programs listed 

   Its 2005-07 biennial report highlights positive accomplishments under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Local programs singled out include: 

   Lower Sycan River on the Yainix Ranch, where rotational and seasonable grazing improved riparian areas in less than four years. 

   “Passive restoration, involving significant cattle management expertise, has led to measurable results in a short period of time,” according to the board’s report. 

   Partners included the Klamath Tribes, Sustainable Northwest, National Riparian Service team, the Working Landscapes Alliance, National fish and Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the watershed board. 

    Lake fringe wetland habitat at Goose Bay Farms’ south pasture. Portions of levees were removed in 2004 to reconnect the pasture with Upper Klamath Lake near the mouth of Williamson River . 

   The result was additional water storage and 165 more acres of sucker rearing habitat. Wetland vegetation is being reestablished as it was prior to 1950. 

   “Numerous suckers are utilizing the area,” according to board’s report. 

   The Nature Conservancy, watershed board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s ecosystem restoration office teamed on the project.

   Tecumseh Springs channel restoration. The tributary to Crooked Creek and the Wood River near Fort Klamath historically provided good habitat for redband trout and endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers. 

   However, the channel filled with silt over the years and lost its vegetation along the stream. Spawning habitat was improved by adding gravel, and the channel was restored by transplanting native sod along the banks. 

   Partners in the project counted 17 redband trout in the 425-foot channel just three months after work was completed. 

   Participants were the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ecosystem restoration office, adjacent land owners, Bureau of Land Management, Klamath County Guides Association and Oregon Department of Transportation.

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