On May11th, 10 members and stewards of the Deschutes Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) participated in a reconnaissance visit to the Ochoco National Forest (ONF) to observe completed, ongoing, and planned stream rehabilitation projects.  The Crooked River watershed in ONF is one of the chapter’s principal strategic planning areas.  The ONF contains healthy populations of wild redband rainbow trout and is an important source of water for the recently introduced steelhead trout, agricultural irrigation, and outdoor recreation.

Members observed a completed effort at Big Springs to protect a unique riparian area and restore an eroded stream with log structures.  We visited a culvert on Little Summit Creek that the USFS recently installed that now allows movement of redband trout.  Many of the culverts in the ONF need replacement to allow fish passage, as the region is riddled with old roads and poorly placed culverts for fish migration.  The USFS hydrologist showed the group completed and ongoing efforts to restore eroded streams to improve water quality in the higher elevation forested areas. 

The group visited the confluence of Crazy Creek and Deep Creek.  A joint project between TU and Ochoco National Forest will restore the natural channel of Crazy Creek and confluence with Deep Creek, allowing reconnection with 7 miles of coldwater habitat.  Extensive work will be done throughout Crazy Creek and other locations in the Deep Creek basin, including: channel reconstruction, riparian plantings, fence work and road rehabilitation, and placement of a new bottom arch culvert.  Come join us for a field trip or future service project, by contacting our Chapter leaders or Project Manager Darek Staab.