Spilyay Tymoo
Warm Springs, Oregon
November 1. 1991 PAGE 5
ODFW studying possibility or reintroducing Bighorn Sheep in Deschutes Canyon
Bighorn sheep once used the Mut
ton Mountains as part of their habi
tat Heavily hunted in that area and in
Ihc Deschutes River Canyon, the
species soon vanished. An effort now
is being made to reintroduce Bighorn
sheep.
The sheep currently inhabit other
parti of Oregon and the recent issu
ance of the Governors Bighorn Sheep
tag set forth a new era for bighorn
sheep in Oregon. The sale of the tag
to the highest bidder provides funds
earmarked for the exclusive use on
bighorns. The Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has
used those funds to do bighorn re
search, habitat development and
reintroductions into historic range.
A bighorn sheep plan was written
and historic range was ranked by
priority for future rcintroducuon. The
majority of the sites identified in the
original plan have been stocked and
a new plan is being developed that
will identify new sites.
The Deschutes Canyon has been
long recognized as historic range of
native California Bighorn sheep but
previous land ownership has pre
vented it from being listed as a pri
ority site. Recent purchases by the
Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation
in conjunction with federal land
(BLM) has made it possible to seri
ously evaluate the Lower Deschutes
River from South Junction to the
mouth for reintroduction. The current
Federal planning document (The Two
Rivers Resource Management Plan,
Record of Decision and Rangeland
Program Summary, June 19K6) ad
dresses introduction of Bighorn
Sheep onto public lands adjacent the
John Day nver, but is siknt regard
ing the Deschutes River. Failure to
address sheep reintroduction on
public lands adjacent the Deschutes
River was simply an oversight. The
Environmental assessment addresses
a proposal from the ODFW to rein
troduce California Bighorn Sheep
into the Deschutes River canyon.
After a survey by biologists, the
canyon was found to have a very
good potential for sheep. The forage
was rated excellent and when distri
bution was good. In the areas of
preferred sheep use the previous
grazing practices had left much of
the steep upper slopes relatively
ungrazed.This is documented by the
May 1984 Soil Conservation Scrv
ice (SCS) range survey conducted on
the Lower Deschutes Management
Area. Much of the mid to upper slopes
were rated by the SCS as good to
excellent, dominant grasses were
blucbunch wheatgrass, Idahofcscuc,
Cusick bluegrass and Sandberg
blucgrass. Forbs included phlox,
vetch, lomalium, Ml dandelion, and
yarrow. The shrubs consisted of big
sage, scrviccbcrry, gray rabbilbrush,
green rabbilbrush, and snow buck
wheat.
Ram habitat was considered un
limited because ot the rams greater
mobility. EweIamb habitat was
considered the most limiting habitat
and every place that provided this
specific habitat was mapped. Ewes
need secure areas to raise their lambs.
These areas are characterized by
cliffs, rocky outcrops, good forage
and water.
Fifteen Bighorn Sheep of mixed
sex and age classes would comprise
the initial release, if the plan is
adopted. The had would be man
aged to maintain population sic of
a minimum of 200.
No reduction of livestock permit
levels are proposed. Some impact
could occur if- private lands, prima
rily in the form of depredation.
Population management control by
nui ung or trapping and resolution
of depredation complaints would be
the responsibility of ODFW.
Other altrmati ves to the proposed
plan varies from confining release
of khcep to areas downstream of
Shcrar's Bridge to not allowing
reintroduction at all. Releases could
be made on private land by land
owners if they meet restrictions set
forth in the environmental assess
ment for their leased BLM lands
The Warm Springs Tribe has also
been examining the possiblity of
reintroduction of Bighorn Sheep
since they were once mdiginous to
the Mutton Mountains before they
were wiped out by disease, in the
early I900"s. Discussions regarding
reintroduction on the Reservation
will continue.
DRMP work sessions planned
The Deschutes River Policy group
will hold work sessions to finalize a
management plan for the lower
Deschutes River, November 5 to 7
and November 19 to 21.
The group will convene in The
Dalles at the Shilo Inn November 3
to 7. From November 19 to 21, the
group will be in Portland at The Inn
at the Coliseum. All meetings begin
at 8:30 a.m.
Sessions are open to all interested
citizens; however, no public testi
mony will be taken. The official
record for comments on the draft
plan is closed. However, anyone
w ishing toexpress an opinion on any
management issue may send written
comments to the Policy Group at
tention Jacquc Crccnlcaf, State Parks
Department, 525 Trade Street SE,
Salem, OR 97310.
Release of a final management
plan is expected sometime next
spring.
li, i-L
Bighorn Sheep were found In the Deschutes Canyon as well as the Mutton
Mountains In the UOO's. Dlesease extirpated the population.
Understanding watersheds helps in management of system
Over the last couple of years,
there has been considerable dis
cussion over the value and
proper management and use of
riparian areas. What are ripar
ian areas? Riparian areas are
those areas adjacent to streams
where wet soils predominate.
Riparian areas are easily iden
tified because vegetation in
these areas is quite abundant
and green nearly year round.
Generally, plant species that are
water-loving (or water tolerant)
are most abundant. These in
clude willows, alders, cotton
wood, grasses, sedges, rushes
and a whole host of shrub spe
cies. The roots of these plants,
particularly of the large, woodj
vegetation:, help hold the riparJ
ian area together.
In eastern Oregon, riparian
areas are divided into three dis
tinct zones. The most obvious
zone is the aquatic zone. Thi
includes the free-flowing stream.
Located immediately upslope
from the stream is the riparian
zone. Within the riparian zon?
resides many plants that protect
the stream bank and provide
shade to maintain cool water
temperatures. Furthest upslope
from the stream lies the upland
zone. Although the vegetation
in the upland zone is not as lush
as in the riparian zone, fr
upland areas still influence tr
stream by providing some shac
and serving as a source for
woody debris input. This debris
(rotten logs) creates pools (ha
bitat) important for fish rear
ing, and is an energy source for
other aquatic organisms which
the young fish prey upon.
Riparian areas are extremely
important to the health of our
watersheds. Like arteries and
veins in the human body that
deliver oxygenated blood to our
muscles and transport bodily
waste out, riparian areas, too,
take on a likewise similar func
tion within our watershed. For
example, riparian areas help to
regulate waterflows by reducing
the intensity of flood waters
and, at the same time, help
maintain constant waterflows
during the dry summer months.
Vegetation within the ripar
ian areas screen out suspended
sediment during high flows,
thus maintaining water quality.
When this suspended material
falls out along the stream, the
stream bank continues to build
up and, in so doing, helps pro
vide a major storage area for
additional water. This "reser
voir" of water is then later re
leased to maintain stream flow
even during the dry summer,
months.
Riparian areas are also home
to fish and many other water
dependent species. Upland birds
and big game such as deer and
elk use riparian areas for travel
corridors, for feeding, and for
thermal cover during the hot
summer months. During the
dryer months, the riparian
areas are heavily used by big
game because of the abundance
of green vegetation and cooler
temperatures.
The riparian areas are impor
tant to society as well. Riparian
areas arp extensively used for
cattle grazing. These areas are
an important source of feed and
water for livestock. Of course,
riparian areas deliver the water
to towns and cities below. Ri
parian areas are also important
recreation areas, particularly!
for fishing and camping. i
It's in our own self-interest to
manage riparian areas wisely..
Degradation from improper
logging, over-grazing, and ex
cessive recreational use can lead
to a decline in health of riparian,
zones. Severe degradation re
duces grass, shrub, and hard
wood cover so that they no
longer screen out suspended
sediment or hold the soil with
their roots. With the lack of
streamside vegetation, water
velocity increases, adding to the
stream's erosive force during
high flows. Steep cutbanks and
gullies within the stream chan
nel result. Over time, the stream
channel widens and becomes
very shallow. In addition, with
ack of water storage adja
cent to the stream, the stream
may no longer flow year-round.
With little streamside vegeta
tion, water temperatures can
rise to the point where fish may
no longer be able to tolerate in
strcam conditions. This degra
dation process undoubtedly re
duces the carrying capacity of
the entire watershed.
Current riparian manage
ment seems to be in the area of
restoring severely impacted
streams, although this is needed
in many areas, we need to also
recognize that the stream and
riparian zone is but a small part
of the watershed. We need to
focus our attention on the up
land areas as well, as the man
agement of these areas can hae
great impact on the stream end
riparian zone below.
Careful monitoring of our
management practices in and
around riparian zones will in
sure their health. By periodi
cally inspecting or checkingthe
"pulse" of our streams ant
riparian areas, we can make a
determination as to the overall
health of the "patient" - the
watershed. A proper diagnosis
can go a long way towards
prescribing treatments that will
maintain a productive system
for the future.
greatly changes infiltration and
runoff, cutting down the a
mount of recharge to under
ground water and speeding up
runoff concentration time to
produce rapidly fluctuating
streamflows. High quality wa
ter is described as cool, clear,
clean, colorless, odorless, taste
less, oxygenated, free of float
ing and suspended materials,
and carrying only limited a
mounts of dissolved materials.
As quality is degraded, water
becomes less and less useful for
most purposes. Urbanization
decreases both water and air
quality. Point source pollutants
enter waterways from a specific
through tne watershed and ac
cess roads for construction and
maintenance. Thus, they involve
disturbance of plant cover and
soil.
Flood control dams, lined
stream channels, dikes and
levees restrict the spread of
fioodwatcrs, and channel bed
stabilization techniques are all
installations that modify chan
nel capacity plus the rate and
volume of streamflow. All are
the consequence of man's ef
forts to modify water yields to
better meet seasonal needs.
Many dams are built and
operated to be multipurpose
to control floods, store water
may be" free to apply whatever
measures it believes necessary
or desirable to gain its objec
tives. It may regulate entry and
prevent the use the develop
ment of associated resources.
Management conflicts
Many watersheds are in public
or state ownership, and unless
segregated and protected by
specific legislation or agree
ment, usually must be used and
developed to take advantage of
all resources available for the
general public benefit. It is in
point or conveyance. Common for irrigation or other consump- ' csc multiple-use watcrsneds
:. ;. ., t fix... iw. ' ! that management mav face the 1
v 0
point source pollutants are dis- tivc ;use, to fegtilate flow for
charges from factories and mu- navigation, or to provide power
nicipal sewage treatment plants, generation. Effects on stream-
This pollution is relatively easy flow and aquatic habitat are
to collect and treat. similar regardless of purpose.
Nonpoint source pollution, The impoundments, if shallow,
on the other hand, is really a allow water to become warmer, .
new name for an old problem and if deep, preserve cooler
Urban development
Urban development involves
clearing, leveling, and filling the
land surface; construction of
buildings with impermeable
roofs, paving roads and side
walks with impervious materi
als, and installation of sewage
disposal systems. It therefore
Bitterbrush and grass .
Willows and other deciduous trees.
Shrubs
Sedges and rushes
Emergents.
Water
Aquatic
Ecosystem
Riparian
.Ecosystem.
Upland
.Ecosystem.
Riparian areas are important to healthy watersheds. They regulate water flow and screen sediment,
wildlife. U m entern8 e steam. Riparian areas also pro ide habitat for many species of insect and
runoff and sedimentation. Non-
point source pollution runs off
or seeps from broad land areas
as a direct result of the way the
land is used. It comes from a
variety of sources such as farm
fields, residential develop
ments, roadsides, and parking
lots. Sediment, plant nutrients,
toxic materials, and animal
wastes are the major nonpoint
source pollutants. The diffuse
source of these pollutants
makes more difficult to quan
tify and control than point
source pollutants on water qua
lity may be variable. Some are
potential health hazards or
harmful to fish and other aqua
tic organisms. While streams do
have an absorption and dispo
sal capacity for limited amounts
of various kinds of pollutants,
the limits are too often ex
ceeded. Urban air pollution, especial
ly photochemical smog caused
by internal combustion gaso
line engine emissions and in
dustrial smokes has contributed
to acid rain which has had a
subsequent effect on vegeta
tion, streams, and lakes within
watershed, especially on the
east coast and in Canada. The
problem continues to grow,
however, and the Pacific North
west is now experiencing effects
of acid rain.
Communication and transpor
tation developments include
roads, railroads, airports, pow
erlines, and pipelines. All of
these may involve disturbance
of the plant cover, the soil, and
the topography. Road and high
way networks, with their im
permeable paving and rapid
drainage systems may radically
change the runoff characteris
tics of their immediate area.
They also require changing the
natural topography and drain
a ee, and moving huge amounts
f soil and rock. They are often
sponsible for extensive sedi
ment production, and may be
come the source of still other
water pollutants. Railroads
have similar effects. Airports in
volve leveling, filling, and pav
ing the land. Powerlines and
pipelines require open paths
water. Streamflow becomes-
more regular from season to
season and year to year regard- consequences that can affect cv-
less of climatic variations, ervone. Water quality and water
most serious conflicts and prob
lems. Here it becomes necessary
to attain a balance in use and
development that provides the
maximum of combined benefits
with the least disruption of the
water resource.
Watershed users must be a ware
that that private actions have
Streamflow peaks are reduced
and low flows increased. As
reservoirs fill .with sediment,
stream gradients' are flattened.
In many cases, the reservoirs
have added benefits to the use
of watersheds, such as water-,
based recreational opportunity
and new fisheries. ,
Diversions from streams may
seasonally be. made for irriga
tion in agricultural areas. This
greatly reduces streamflows
during the warm growing sea
son. Some of the water taken is .
returned to the stream - by"
drainage from , the irrigated
fields. These return flows are
warmed and may contain soil
salts, fertilizers, and pesticides
leached from the fields.
In considering the manage
ment of a watershed, the objec
tive is to maintain a useful'
quantity is important.
The critical thing to remem
ber about watershed is that the
' rivers, the hillsides, the moun
taintops, and the flood-formed
bottom-lands are really all part
of one system. All are inte
grated with each other. The
shape of the hillsides controls
the rate of energy expenditure
of water flowing over and
through them. All biotic ele
ments in the watershed is a
function of what lives there.
The .combination of climatic
conditions,' soil types, topogra
phy, vegetative cover, and drain
age system define the particular
character of each watershed. In
its natural state, the watershed
is in a state of equilibrium. We
seem to think that the non-
biological portions of a water
shed can be changed to suit per-
vegetative cover and soil char-; ceived needs of humans without
actenstics beneficial to regula- a corresDondin2 chance in the
j. 0 - v
tion of a quality water yield. At
the same time, the utility and
productivity of the land will be
enhanced in terms of other re
sources and uses. The basic non
renewable soil resource is Jhe
main consideration. Where it is
protected and maintained in
good condition, the renewable
fuel, fiber, and food resources,
the wildlife habitat, and recrea
tional opportunity can be com
patible. Being part of a water
shed, the resources of timber,
forage, minerals, food, and
wildlife represent important
considerations. Problems arise
when development and use of
these resources conflicts with
the primary objetive of regulat
ing water yield and maintaining
water quality and watershed in
tegrity. They must be consid
ered as part of watershed man
agement, and their use and
development be integrated with
the type of management that
produces and protects water
supplies. ;
The principal institutional
control of watersheds is ow ner
ship. Where a public manage
ment agency owns the land, it
physical system. Rivers do not
srtop at state lines. The hydro
logic and geomorphic effects of
natural and human processes
within a watershed are focused
at its outlet, wherever it may be.
Each drainage basin is r portion
of some larger drainage basin
whose downstream portion
may suffer from the upstream
influences. Many land-based
changes in the watershed will
have an effect on the aquatic
portion of the system. In all
cases, the watershed will re
spond to the changes in the sys
tem until an equilibrium is once
again reached. This equilibrium
may or may not be the most
suitable for the overall quality
and contribution of the water
shed to the entire picture.