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217-6044-14238

Project Abstract

Location 

Bear Creek drains a small watershed (209 km2) in Wheeler Co. OR, and flows into Bridge Creek roughly 8 km above its confluence with the lower John Day River. 

Project Need 

Being the largest tributary of Bridge Creek, Bear Creek represents an important spawning tributary for the summer run steelhead that utilize the watershed (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, personal communication). However, much of the main channel on Bear Creek is subject to low and often intermittent surface flow during summer, a period critical to the survival of rearing juvenile steelhead following emergence from gravel during spring. Low and non-existent surface flow also contribute to high summer stream temperatures, lack of habitat quantity and complexity, and reduced riparian vegetation abundance and extent. These conditions render the Bear Creek watershed a population sink for threatened steelhead, in which a high rate of spawning adults produce few surviving juveniles capable of completing their life cycle.

Proposed Project Work

 The restoration project on Bear Creek is designed to meet two complimentary goals which include: 1) Increase juvenile steelhead habitat quantity and quality during low and intermittent baseflow periods that has been degraded as a result of historic land use practices. 2) Serve as a model restoration project that can inform efficient and cost-effective methods for restoration of perennial flow in similar stream systems.

Project Partners

WSCD and NOAA 

Project Completion Report

Final_Report_14238.pdf

Monitoring Reports

2-Years Post Implementation

PISR#1_217-6044-14238_6.1.22.pdf
People by a stream with rocky banks, surrounded by vegetation and hills under a hazy sky.
(Before) Prior to the installation of a BDA structure.
A tranquil pond surrounded by greenery with hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
(After) Immediately after the installation of a BDA structure.
A dry rocky creek bed surrounded by vegetation and twigs.
(Before) A riffle before BDA treatment. Taken by CTWS 9/22/2015 habitat survey.
A sun-dappled stream surrounded by green vegetation and overhanging branches.
(After) A riffle below BDA treatment.
Dry creek bed with rocks and surrounding vegetation.
(Before) Another riffle before BDA treatment. Taken by CTWS 9/22/2015 habitat survey.
A small river with flowing water surrounded by dense vegetation and overhanging branches.
(After) A riffle below BDA Treatment.
A rocky trail with a person standing to the side surrounded by vegetation under bright sunlight.
(Before) A glide. Taken by CTWS 9/22/2015 habitat survey.
A serene natural wetland with clear water and abundant greenery.
(After) BDAs installed below a glide.
Dry creek bed with rocks and sparse vegetation.
(Before) A glide before BDA installation.
A lush woodland with dense underbrush and a small stream.
(After) Barely visible BDA installed at a glide.
People by a stream with rocky banks, surrounded by vegetation and hills under a hazy sky.
A tranquil pond surrounded by greenery with hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
A dry rocky creek bed surrounded by vegetation and twigs.
A sun-dappled stream surrounded by green vegetation and overhanging branches.
Dry creek bed with rocks and surrounding vegetation.
A small river with flowing water surrounded by dense vegetation and overhanging branches.
A rocky trail with a person standing to the side surrounded by vegetation under bright sunlight.
A serene natural wetland with clear water and abundant greenery.
Dry creek bed with rocks and sparse vegetation.
A lush woodland with dense underbrush and a small stream.