[]{#Introduction
.anchor}![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.2708333333333335in"
height="3.1458333333333335in"}**Introduction**

The Lower John Day 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) subbasin is
slightly over 2 million acres and includes parts of 8 counties.
Approximately one-half of the subbasin is rangeland, and the rest is
forestland and areas used for grain crops, hay, and pasture. The main
resource concerns on the rangeland and forestland include overstocked
pine, juniper encroachment, invasive weeds, and a perceived high cost of
conservation. Sheet, rill, and wind erosion are concerns for cropland,
and waste management and a lack of riparian vegetation along streams are
concerns for grassland and pastureland.

There are only about 327 farms and ranches in the Lower John Day
subbasin. Most of these are grain crop operations in Gilliam and Sherman
Counties that are more than 1,000 acres in size. Much of the forestland
in Wheeler County consists of areas less than 1,000 acres in size. Much
of this forestland is under private industrial ownership and is used for
timber and grazing. Other private forestland and rangeland is used for
fee hunting, which has become a significant source of income for area
ranchers.

> Conservation assistance in Oregon is provided by six soil and water
> conservation districts, one soil survey office, the Columbia Blue
> Mountain Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) office, and the
> Mission satellite office, which serves the Umatilla Indian
> Reservation.

[]{#ProfileContents .anchor}**nts**

> [Introduction](#Introduction)
>
> [Physical Description](#PhysicalDescription)
>
> [Land Use Map & Precipitation Map](#Map)
>
> [Common Resource Area](#CRA)

[Resource Concerns](#ResConcerns)

[Census and Social Data](#census)

[Progress/Status](#ProgressStatus)

[Footnotes/Bibliography](#Footnotes)

**\
Relief Map**

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.890972222222222in" height="3.125in"}

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.44375in" height="3.375in"}

[]{#PhysicalDescription .anchor}**\
Physical Description** [*Back to Contents*](#ProfileContents)

***[ALL NUMBERS IN THIS PROFILE ARE FOR OREGON ONLY]{.mark}***

+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| **Land Cover/Land   | *    |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| Use**               | *Own |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | ersh |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| ***(NLCD*[^/2       | ip - |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| ^](#Footnote2)*)*** | *(   |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | 2003 |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | D    |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | raft |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | BLM  |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | Sur  |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | face |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | Map  |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | Set  |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | *[^/ |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | 1^]( |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | #Foo |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | tnot |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | e1)* |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     | **)* |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
|                     | **   |    | *     |    | ** |   | **Tot | *  |
|                     | Publ |    | *Priv |    | Tr |   | als** | *% |
|                     | ic** |    | ate** |    | ib |   |       | ** |
|                     |      |    |       |    | al |   |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    | ** |   |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
|                     | *    | *  | **Ac  | *  | *  | * |       |    |
|                     | *Acr | *% | res** | *% | *A | * |       |    |
|                     | es** | ** |       | ** | cr | % |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    | es | * |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    | ** | * |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Forest              | 95   | 5% | 29    | 1  | 0  | 0 | *     | *  |
|                     | ,500 |    | 9,900 | 5% |    | % | *395, | *2 |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   | 400** | 0% |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Grain Crops         | \    | \* | 26    | 1  | 0  | 0 | *     | *  |
|                     | -\-- |    | 6,300 | 3% |    | % | *267, | *1 |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   | 100** | 3% |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Conservation        | \    | \* | 10    | 5% | 0  | 0 | *     | ** |
| Reserve Program     | -\-- |    | 2,400 |    |    | % | *102, | 5% |
| Land                |      |    |       |    |    |   | 500** | ** |
| [***^a^***](#crp)   |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Grass/Pasture/Hay   | 17   | 1% | 11    | 6% | 0  | 0 | *     | ** |
|                     | ,800 |    | 8,100 |    |    | % | *135, | 7% |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   | 900** | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Orchards/Vineyards  | 0    | 0% | 0     | 0% | 0  | 0 | **0** | ** |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    | % |       | 0% |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Row Crops           | 0    | 0% | \-\-- | \* | 0  | 0 | **\-  | ** |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    | % | \--** | \* |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Shrub/Rangelands    | 210  | 1  | 88    | 4  | 0  | 0 | **1   | *  |
|                     | ,600 | 0% | 8,500 | 4% |    | % | ,099, | *5 |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   | 100** | 4% |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| Water/Wetlan        | \    | \* | 1     | 1% | 0  | 0 | **19, | ** |
| ds/Developed/Barren | -\-- |    | 3,200 |    |    | % | 600** | 1% |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       | ** |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| **Oregon HUC Totals | **3  | *  | **1   | *  | *  | * | **2   | ** |
| [*b*](#Totals)**    | 31,2 | *1 | ,688, | *8 | *0 | * | ,019, | 10 |
|                     | 00** | 6% | 400** | 4% | ** | 0 | 600** | 0% |
|                     |      | ** |       | ** |    | % |       | ** |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    | * |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    | * |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| *\*: Less than one  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| percent of total    |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| acres. See below    |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| for special         |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| considerations.*    |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| []{#crp .anchor}*a: |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| Estimate from Farm  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| Service Agency      |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| records and         |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| includes CRP/CREP.* |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| []{#Totals          |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| .anchor}*b: Totals  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| are approximate due |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| to rounding and     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| small unknown       |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| acreages.*          |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+
| **[Special          |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| Considerations for  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| This 8-Digit        |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| HUC:]{.underline}** |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| -   Approximately   |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     50 percent of   |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     the private     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     forestland is   |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     under           |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     industrial      |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     forest          |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     ownership.      |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| -   Private         |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     non-industrial  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     forestland is   |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     used for timber |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     and grazing.    |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|                     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
| -   Fee hunting on  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     private         |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     forestland and  |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     rangeland has   |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     become a        |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     significant     |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     source of       |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     income for area |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
|     ranchers.       |      |    |       |    |    |   |       |    |
+---------------------+------+----+-------+----+----+---+-------+----+

  --------------------------- -------------------- ------------ ------------- ----------
  **Irrigated Lands**\        **Type of Land**     **ACRES**    **% of\       **% of\
  *(1997                                                        Irrigated     HUC**
  NRI*[^/3^](#Footnote3nri)                                     Lands**       
  *Estimates for Non-Federal                                                  
  Lands Only)*                                                                

                              Cultivated Cropland  0            0%            0%

                              Uncultivated         10,000       100%          \<1%
                              Cropland                                        

                              Pastureland          0            0%            0%

                              **Total Irrigated    **10,000**   **100%**      **\<1%**
                              Lands**                                         
  --------------------------- -------------------- ------------ ------------- ----------

***(Continued on the following pages)***

[]{#Map .anchor} [*Back to Contents*](#ProfileContents)

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="4.6506944444444445in" height="5.625in"}

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="4.032638888888889in" height="5.125in"}

[]{#CRA .anchor}**Common Resource Area Map** [*Back to
Contents*](#ProfileContents)

**Only the major units are described below - for descriptions of all
units within the HUC, go to:**
<http://ice.or.nrcs.usda.gov/website/cra/viewer.htm>

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="4.586111111111111in"
height="6.090972222222222in"}

**[8.11 - Columbia Plateau - Umatilla Plateau:]{.underline}** This is
the major unit within the MLRA. It is made up of loess-mantled basalt
plateaus. The unit consists of the moderately deep silt loam soils of
the Condon and Morrow series. The temperature regime is mesic, and the
moisture regime is xeric. Precipitation is about 12 to 15 inches.

**[10.8 - Central Rocky and Blue Mountains Foothills - John Day-Clarno
Moist Uplands:]{.underline}** This unit is characterized by rangeland
soils on hills or mountains associated with basalt. The dominant soils
are those of the Waterbury, Gwin, and Rockley series. The temperature
regime is mesic, and the moisture regime is xeric. Precipitation is
about 12 to 18 inches. The vegetation is Wyoming big sagebrush with
Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass (warm moist climate).

**[10.11 - Central Rocky and Blue Mountains Foothills - John Day-Clarno
Uplands:]{.underline}** This unit is characterized by rangeland soils on
hills or mountains associated with the John Day/Clarno Formation. The
dominant soils are those of the Simas and Tub series. The temperature
regime is mesic, and the moisture regime is aridic and xeric.

**[43C.1 - Blue and Seven Devils Mountains - John Day-Clarno
Highlands:]{.underline}** This unit is characterized by forestland that
is underlain by the John Day/Clarno Formation. The temperature regime is
frigid, and the moisture regime is xeric. The vegetation is dominantly
ponderosa pine and scattered Douglas-fir. The amount of volcanic ash on
the soils is minimal. The soils are typically clayey textured with a
strongly expressed argillic horizon.

**Physical Description -- Continued [*Back to
Contents*](#ProfileContents)**

+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   |                           | **ACRES**  | **ACRE  |
|                   |                           |            | -FEET** |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
| **Irrigated       | Surface                   | 21,437     | 88,393  |
| Adjudicated Water |                           |            |         |
| Rights**          |                           |            |         |
| *(OWRD*[^/4       |                           |            |         |
| ^](#Footnote4)*)* |                           |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Well                      | 5,203      | 21,455  |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Total Irrigated           | 26,640     | 109,848 |
|                   | Adjudicated Water Rights  |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
| **Stream Flow     | USGS 14048000 JOHN DAY    | **Total    | 1,      |
| Data**            | RIVER AT MCDONALD FERRY,  | Avg.       | 490,009 |
|                   | OR                        | Yield**    |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   |                           | **May --   | 536,928 |
|                   |                           | Sept.      |         |
|                   |                           | Yield**    |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   |                           | **MILES**  | **PE    |
|                   |                           |            | RCENT** |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
| **Stream          | Total Miles -- Major      | 981        | \-\--   |
| Data**[^          | (100K Hydro GIS Layer)    |            |         |
| /5^](#Footnote5)\ |                           |            |         |
| \                 |                           |            |         |
| *\*Percent of     |                           |            |         |
| total miles\      |                           |            |         |
| of streams in     |                           |            |         |
| HUC*              |                           |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | 303d/TMDL Listed Streams  | 343.6      | 35%     |
|                   | (DEQ)                     |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Anadromous Fish Presence  | 251.1      | 26%     |
|                   | (StreamNet)               |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Bull Trout Presence       | 15.0       | 1.5%    |
|                   | (StreamNet)               |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   |                           | **ACRES**  | **PE    |
|                   |                           |            | RCENT** |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
| **Land            | Forest                    | 18,568     | 21%     |
| Cover/Use**[      |                           |            |         |
| ^/2^](#Footnote2) |                           |            |         |
|                   |                           |            |         |
| Based on a        |                           |            |         |
| 100-foot stretch  |                           |            |         |
| on both sides of  |                           |            |         |
| all streams in    |                           |            |         |
| the 100K Hydro    |                           |            |         |
| GIS Layer         |                           |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Grain Crops               | 6,319      | 7%      |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Grass/Pasture/Hay         | 5,233      | 6%      |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Orchards/Vineyards        | 0          | 0%      |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Row Crops                 | 0          | 0%      |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Shrub/Rangelands --       | 55,578     | 63%     |
|                   | Includes CRP Lands        |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | Water/                    | 2,492      | 3%      |
|                   | Wetlands/Developed/Barren |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **Total Acres of 100-Foot | **88,190** | *       |
|                   | Stream Buffers**          |            | *100%** |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
| **Land Capability | **1** -- slight           | 4,100      | 1%      |
| Class**           | limitations               |            |         |
|                   |                           |            |         |
| *(Croplands &     |                           |            |         |
| Pasturelands      |                           |            |         |
| Only)*            |                           |            |         |
|                   |                           |            |         |
| *(1997            |                           |            |         |
| NRI*[^/3          |                           |            |         |
| ^](#Footnote3nri) |                           |            |         |
| *Estimates for    |                           |            |         |
| Non-Federal Lands |                           |            |         |
| Only)*            |                           |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **2** -- moderate         | 31,500     | 11%     |
|                   | limitations               |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **3** -- severe           | 220,500    | 80%     |
|                   | limitations               |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **4** -- very severe      | 15,400     | 6%      |
|                   | limitations               |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **5** -- no erosion       | 0          | 0%      |
|                   | hazard, but other         |            |         |
|                   | limitations               |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **6** -- severe           | 2,600      | 1%      |
|                   | limitations; unsuitable   |            |         |
|                   | for cultivation; limited  |            |         |
|                   | to pasture, range, forest |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **7** -- very severe      | 900        | 0%      |
|                   | limitations; unsuitable   |            |         |
|                   | for cultivation; limited  |            |         |
|                   | to grazing, forest,       |            |         |
|                   | wildlife habitat          |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **8** -- miscellaneous    | 0          | 0%      |
|                   | areas; limited to         |            |         |
|                   | recreation, wildlife      |            |         |
|                   | habitat, water supply     |            |         |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+
|                   | **Total Croplands &       | *          | **      |
|                   | Pasturelands**            | *275,000** | \-\--** |
+-------------------+---------------------------+------------+---------+

  --------------------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
  **Confined Animal                                                                    
  Feeding Operations --                                                                
  Oregon CAFO Permit --                                                                
  12/2004**                                                                            

  **Animal Type**       **Dairy**   **Feedlot**   **Poultry**   **Swine**   **Mink**   **Other**

  **No. of Permitted    1           2             0             0           0          0
  Farms**                                                                              

  **No. of Permitted    115         1,850         0             0           0          0
  Animals**                                                                            
  --------------------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -----------

[]{#ResConcerns .anchor}**Resource Concerns** [*Back to
Contents*](#ProfileContents)

-   ![](media/image8.wmf)Sheet and rill erosion by water on the cropland
    and pastureland has been reduced nearly 1.1 million tons of soil per
    year from 1982 to 1997.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   NRI estimates indicate that 153,900 acres of the agricultural land
    still had water erosion rates above a sustainable level in 1997.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Controlling erosion not only sustains the long-term productivity of
    the land, but it also affects the amount of soil, pesticides,
    fertilizer, and other substances that move into the Nation's waters.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Through NRCS programs, many farmers and ranchers have applied
    conservation practices to reduce the effects of erosion by water. As
    a result, erosion rates on cultivated cropland fell 24 percent, from
    5.3 tons/acre/year to 4.0 tons/acre/year, from 1982 to 1997.

![](media/image9.wmf){width="4.0in" height="2.4159722222222224in"}

-   Ninety-five percent of the 303d listed stream miles have
    temperatures that exceed State water quality standards. Elevated
    stream temperatures may be due to inadequate riparian shade, stream
    channel widening, warm irrigation return flows, and other
    anthropogenic or natural sources.

-   Conservation practices that can be used to address these water
    quality issues include grazing management and use of riparian
    buffers.

+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| **Watershed  |             |   |             |      |                  |
| Projects,    |             |   |             |      |                  |
| Plans,       |             |   |             |      |                  |
| Studies, and |             |   |             |      |                  |
| A            |             |   |             |      |                  |
| ssessments** |             |   |             |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| **NRCS       |             |   | **NRCS      |      |                  |
| Watershed    |             |   | Watershed   |      |                  |
| Pro          |             |   | Plans,      |      |                  |
| jects**[^6^] |             |   | Studies,    |      |                  |
| (#Footnote6) |             |   | and         |      |                  |
|              |             |   | Assessme    |      |                  |
|              |             |   | nts**[^7^]( |      |                  |
|              |             |   | #Footnote7) |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| **Name**     | **Status**  |   | **Name**    |      | **Status**       |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| Rock Creek   | D           |   | None        |      |                  |
|              | eauthorized |   |             |      |                  |
| Dry Creek    |             |   |             |      |                  |
|              | Active      |   |             |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| **ODEQ       |             |   | **ODA       |      |                  |
| T            |             |   | A           |      |                  |
| MDL's**[^8^] |             |   | gricultural |      |                  |
| (#Footnote8) |             |   | Water       |      |                  |
|              |             |   | Quality     |      |                  |
|              |             |   | Management  |      |                  |
|              |             |   | Pl          |      |                  |
|              |             |   | ans**[^9^]( |      |                  |
|              |             |   | #Footnote9) |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| **Name**     | **Status**  |   | **Name**    |      | **Status**       |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| None         |             |   | Lower John  |      | Completed        |
|              |             |   | Day         |      |                  |
|              |             |   |             |      | Completed        |
|              |             |   | Middle Fork |      |                  |
|              |             |   | John Day    |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| **OWEB       |             | * |             | **N  |                  |
| Watershed    |             | * |             | WPCC |                  |
| Coun         |             | W |             | Subb |                  |
| cil**[^10^]( |             | a |             | asin |                  |
| #Footnote10) |             | t |             | P    |                  |
|              |             | e |             | lans |                  |
|              |             | r |             | &    |                  |
|              |             | s |             | Asse |                  |
|              |             | h |             | ssme |                  |
|              |             | e |             | nts* |                  |
|              |             | d |             | *[^1 |                  |
|              |             | C |             | 8^]( |                  |
|              |             | o |             | #Foo |                  |
|              |             | u |             | tnot |                  |
|              |             | n |             | e18) |                  |
|              |             | c |             |      |                  |
|              |             | i |             |      |                  |
|              |             | l |             |      |                  |
|              |             | A |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | m |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | n |             |      |                  |
|              |             | t |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | * |             |      |                  |
|              |             | * |             |      |                  |
|              |             | [ |             |      |                  |
|              |             | ^ |             |      |                  |
|              |             | 1 |             |      |                  |
|              |             | 1 |             |      |                  |
|              |             | ^ |             |      |                  |
|              |             | ] |             |      |                  |
|              |             | ( |             |      |                  |
|              |             | # |             |      |                  |
|              |             | F |             |      |                  |
|              |             | o |             |      |                  |
|              |             | o |             |      |                  |
|              |             | t |             |      |                  |
|              |             | n |             |      |                  |
|              |             | o |             |      |                  |
|              |             | t |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | 1 |             |      |                  |
|              |             | 1 |             |      |                  |
|              |             | ) |             |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+
| Bridge       |             | H |             | John |                  |
| Creek,       |             | a |             | Day  |                  |
| Gilliam-East |             | y |             | Subb |                  |
| John Day,    |             | C |             | asin |                  |
| Grass Valley |             | r |             | Plan |                  |
| Canyon,      |             | e |             |      |                  |
| Middle Fork  |             | e |             |      |                  |
| John Day,    |             | k |             |      |                  |
| North        |             | / |             |      |                  |
| Sherman, and |             | S |             |      |                  |
| Pine Hollow  |             | c |             |      |                  |
| Watershed    |             | o |             |      |                  |
| Councils     |             | t |             |      |                  |
|              |             | t |             |      |                  |
|              |             | C |             |      |                  |
|              |             | a |             |      |                  |
|              |             | n |             |      |                  |
|              |             | y |             |      |                  |
|              |             | o |             |      |                  |
|              |             | n |             |      |                  |
|              |             | W |             |      |                  |
|              |             | a |             |      |                  |
|              |             | t |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | r |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | h |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | d |             |      |                  |
|              |             | A |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | s |             |      |                  |
|              |             | m |             |      |                  |
|              |             | e |             |      |                  |
|              |             | n |             |      |                  |
|              |             | t |             |      |                  |
+--------------+-------------+---+-------------+------+------------------+

***(Continued on page 8)***

![](media/image10.jpeg){width="6.527777777777778in"
height="8.436805555555555in"}

**Map Footnote [^/17^](#footnote17)**

**Resource Concerns - Continued** [*Back to Contents*](#ProfileContents)

  ----------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------- --------- --------- ------------- ----------------- ------------
  **Resource                                                                                                                      
  Concerns/Issues                                                                                                                 
  by Land Use**                                                                                                                   

  **SWAPA +H        **Specific Resource             **Grass\\Pasture\\Hay**   **Grain   **Row     **Perennial   **Shrub/Range**   **Forest**
  Concerns**        Concern/Issue**                                           Crops**   Crops**   Crops                           
                                                                                                  (Orch/Vine/                     
                                                                                                  Berries)**                      

  Soil Erosion      Sheet and Rill                                            X                                 X                 

                    Wind                                                      X                                                   

                    Concentrated Flow or Gully                                                                                    X

                    Irrigation Induced              X                                                                             

  Soil Condition    Tilth, Crusting, Infiltration,                            X                                 X                 
                    and Organic Matter                                                                                            

  Water Quantity    Water Management For Irrigated  X                                                                             
                    Land                                                                                                          

  Water Quality,    Nutrients and Organics          X                                                                             
  Surface                                                                                                                         

                    Suspended Sediments and                                   X                                 X                 X
                    Turbidity                                                                                                     

  Plant Suitability Site and Intended Use                                                                       X                 
                    Suitability                                                                                                   

  Plant Condition   Productivity, Health, and Vigor                                                             X                 

  Human, Economics  High Capital/Financial Cost     X                         X                                 X                 X

                    High Labor Cost or Availability X                         X                                 X                 X

                    Low or Unreliable Profitability X                         X                                 X                 X

  Human, Political  Inadequate Availability of Cost X                         X                                 X                 X
                    Share Programs                                                                                                

                    Lack of Technical Assistance                              X                                 X                 
  ----------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------- --------- --------- ------------- ----------------- ------------

**Grass/Pasture/Hay**

-   Streambank and irrigation-induced erosion are associated with
    pastures that commonly are adjacent to streams.

-   Management of nutrients and livestock waste can be an issue on
    grazing lands.

-   Pastures adjacent to streams commonly lack adequate riparian
    vegetation to shade and buffer streams.

**Grain Crops**

-   Sheet and rill erosion remains a resource concern.

-   On sandy soils in the northern part of the watershed, wind erosion
    can be a problem.

-   Low profitability, inadequate funding, and lack of technical
    assistance commonly hinder use of additional conservation practices.

**Rangeland and Forestland**

-   Much of the private forestland is managed by private industrial
    owners who generally comply with State forest practices.

-   Some private non-industrial forestland is associated with small
    woodlots or rural homesites, which are not actively managed for
    timber production.

-   Private woodlots commonly suffer from hygrading (harvesting the best
    trees) or poor stand management (overstock stands).

-   Overstocked lodgepole pine/ponderosa pine on forestland and invasive
    weeds (medusahead and cheatgrass) on rangeland limit the
    productivity for timber, grazing, and wildlife habitat.

-   Juniper is encroaching onto both rangeland and ponderosa pine sites.

-   Low economic profitability and a perceived high cost of conservation
    discourage conservation activities.

+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Federally Listed Threatened   |                                    |
| And Endangered                  |                                    |
| Species[^12^](#Footnote12)**    |                                    |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **THREATENED SPECIES**          | **CANDIDATE SPECIES**              |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Mammals -** Canada lynx       | **Mammals -** Washington ground    |
|                                 | squirrel                           |
| **Birds --** Bald eagle         |                                    |
|                                 | **Birds --** Yellow-billed cuckoo  |
| **Fish --** Steelhead, Sockeye  |                                    |
| salmon**,**                     | **Amphibians and Reptiles --**     |
|                                 | Columbia spotted frog              |
| Chinook salmon**,** Bull trout  |                                    |
|                                 | **Plants-** Northern wormwood      |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
|                                 | **PROPOSED SPECIES** - None        |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| **Essential Fish                |                                    |
| Habitat[^13^](#Footnote13) -**  |                                    |
| Chinook                         |                                    |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+

![](media/image11.png){width="3.2631944444444443in"
height="4.013888888888889in"}

[]{#census .anchor}**Census and Social Data**[^/14^](#Footnote14) [*Back
to Contents*](#ProfileContents)

![](media/image12.wmf){width="3.7604166666666665in"
height="2.061111111111111in"}

**Number of Farms: 327**

**Number of Operators: 554**

-   Full-Time Operators: **229**

-   Part-Time Operators: **325**

**Estimated Level of Willingness and Ability to Participate in
Conservation**[^[/15]{.underline}^](#Footnote15)**: MODERATE TO HIGH**

The operators of the larger farms in the subbasin tend to understand and
appreciate the benefits of conservation and have a history of adopting
conservation systems. They tend to have the ability and resources to
adopt conservation systems. The operators of the smaller farms,
particularly the newer owners, tend to lack some awareness of both
on-farm and local resource concerns. They are apt to have the resources
and inclination to adopt conservation systems, but they may require
additional technical assistance.

**Evaluation of Social Capital**[^[/16]{.underline}^](#Footnote16) **LOW
TO MODERATE**

![](media/image13.png){width="3.138888888888889in"
height="4.013888888888889in"}Social capital in the Lower John Day
subbasin is moderate. In the part of the subbasin where the operations
are larger, the mainstream agricultural communities flourish and are
supportive of conservation. In the part where the operations are smaller
or are run by industry or absentee landowners, the community is not as
strong, experienced, and adept at addressing local issues and solving
communitywide problems. Areas where the social capital is low might
benefit from community development assistance in public participation,
effective leadership, and problem solving.

![](media/image14.png){width="3.3784722222222223in"
height="3.3472222222222223in"}

![](media/image14.png){width="3.3784722222222223in"
height="3.3472222222222223in"}

[]{#ProgressStatus .anchor}***Progress/Status** [Back to
Contents](#ProfileContents)*

  --------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -----------
  **PRMS Data**               **FY99**   **FY00**   **FY01**   **FY02**   **FY03**   **Avg/Year**   **Total**

  Total Conservation Systems  29,561     52,020     24,547     27,649     24,166     31,589         157,943
  Planned (Acres)                                                                                   

  Total Conservation Systems  26,860     85,761     73,551     27,957     48,845     52,595         262,974
  Applied (Acres)                                                                                   

  **Conservation Treatment**  ** **                                                                 

  Waste Management (number)   0          0          0          0          0          0              0

  Buffers (acres)             39         206        87         123        918        275            1,373

  Erosion Control (acres)     21,219     37,153     27,398     9,906      14,046     21,944         109,722

  Irrigation Water Management 0          0          514        0          0          103            514
  (acres)                                                                                           

  Nutrient Management (acres) 0          3,105      5,222      795        2,260      2,276          11,382

  Pest Management (acres)     0          11,305     7,758      1,032      2,229      4,465          22,324

  Prescribed Grazing (acres)  2,717      54,285     36,895     17,974     9,523      24,279         121,394

  Trees & Shrubs (acres)      109        332        0          143        544        226            1,128

  Conservation Tillage        719        10,127     15,708     4,820      5,789      7,433          37,163
  (acres)                                                                                           

  Wildlife Habitat (acres)    17,601     21,368     21,097     5,630      18,229     16,785         83,925

  Wetlands (acres)            0          0          0          0          0          0              0
  --------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -----------

![](media/image15.wmf){width="4.0in" height="3.25in"}

-   Progress over the last 5 years has been focused on:

    -   Erosion control, nutrient and pest management, and conservation
        tillage in areas used for grain crops.

    -   Prescribed grazing on rangeland and pastureland.

    -   Wildlife habitat improvement.

-   Most irrigated pasture and hay is well managed for irrigation
    efficiency; however, the areas have at least one or two remaining
    resource concerns, such as nutrient and pest management.

-   Most rangeland is well managed, although invasive weeds, such as
    medusahead or knapweed, have led to low plant productivity and soil
    erosion in some areas.

-   Forestland is generally profitable and provides wildlife habitat.
    State forest practice act requirements are implemented on most
    private forestland. The remaining issues are lack of fencing and
    water facilities to manage livestock and competition between
    livestock and wildlife for food and water.

*Estimates are based on information received from local conservationists
in the watershed.*

**Lands Removed from Production through Farm Bill Programs**

-   Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): **[102,387 acres]{.underline}**

-   Wetland Restoration Program (WRP): **[None]{.underline}**

-   Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): **[1,044
    acres]{.underline}**

[]{#Footnotes .anchor}**Footnotes/Bibliography** [*Back to
Contents*](#ProfileContents)

All data is provided "as is." There are no warranties, express or
implied, including the warranty of fitness\
for a particular purpose, accompanying this document. Use for general
planning purposes only.

[]{#Footnote1 .anchor}

1.  Ownership Layer -- Source: The 1:24,000 scale public ownership layer
    is the land ownership/management for public entities, including
    Federal, Tribal, State, and local entities. This is a seamless,
    statewide Oregon Public Ownership vector layer composed of fee
    ownership of lands by Federal, State, Tribal, county, and city
    agencies. The layer is comprised of the best available data compiled
    at 1:24,000 scale or larger, and the line work matches GCDB boundary
    locations and ORMAP standards where possible. The layer is available
    from the State of Oregon GIS Service Center:
    <http://www.gis.state.or.us/data/alphalist.html>. For current
    ownership status, consult official records at appropriate Federal,
    State, and county offices. Ownership classes grouped to calculate
    Federal ownership vs. non-Federal ownership by the Water Resources
    Planning Team.[]{#Footnote2 .anchor}

2.  National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) - Originator: U.S. Geological
    Survey (USGS);\
    Publication date: 19990631; Title: Oregon Land Cover Data Set,
    Edition: 1;\
    Geospatial data presentation form: Raster digital data; Publisher:
    U.S. Geological Survey,\
    Sioux Falls, SD, USA; Online linkage:
    <http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/programs/lccp/nationallandcover.html>;
    Abstract: These data can be used in a geographic information system
    (GIS) for any number of purposes, such as assessing wildlife
    habitat, water quality, pesticide runoff, land use change, etc. The
    State data sets are provided with a 300-meter buffer beyond the
    State border to facilitate combining the State files into larger
    regions.[]{#Footnote3nri .anchor}

3.  ESTIMATES FROM THE 1997 NRI DATABASE (REVISED DECEMBER 2000) REPLACE
    ALL PREVIOUS REPORTS AND ESTIMATES. Comparisons made using data
    published for the 1982, 1987, or 1992 NRI may produce erroneous
    results. This is because of changes in statistical estimation
    protocols and because all data collected prior to 1997 were
    simultaneously reviewed (edited) as 1997 NRI data were collected.
    All definitions are available in the glossary. In addition, this
    December 2000 revision of the 1997 NRI data updates information
    released in December 1999 and corrects a computer error discovered
    in March 2000. For more information:
    <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/>[]{#Footnote4 .anchor}

4.  Irrigated Adjudicated Water Rights -- Water Rights Information
    System (WRIS), Oregon Water Resources Department,
    [[http://www.wrd.state.or.us/maps/wrexport.shtml]{.underline}](http://www.wrd.state.or.us/maps/wrexport.shtml)[]{#Footnote5
    .anchor}

5.  StreamNet is a cooperative venture of the Pacific Northwest\'s fish
    and wildlife agencies and tribes and is administered by the [Pacific
    States Marine Fisheries Commission](http://www.psmfc.org/).
    StreamNet provided data and data services in support of the
    region\'s fish and wildlife program and other efforts to manage and
    restore the region\'s aquatic resources. Official StreamNet website:
    <http://www.streamnet.org/>[]{#Footnote6 .anchor}

6.  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Watershed Projects Planned
    and Authorized,
    <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/Purpose>.

7.  []{#Footnote7 .anchor}Natural Resources Conservation Service,
    Watershed Plans, Studies, and Assessments completed,
    [http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/Surveys_Plng.html#Watershed%20Surveys%20and%20Plan](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/Surveys_Plng.html#Watershed Surveys and Plan)

8.  []{#Footnote8 .anchor}Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
    Total Maximum Daily Loads,
    <http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/TMDLs/TMDLs.htm>

9.  []{#Footnote9 .anchor}Oregon Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
    Water Quality Management Plans,
    <http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/NRD/water_agplans.shtml>

**Footnotes/Bibliography Continued** [*Back to
Contents*](#ProfileContents)

All data is provided "as is." There are no warranties, express or
implied, including the warranty of fitness\
for a particular purpose, accompanying this document. Use for general
planning purposes only.

10. []{#Footnote10 .anchor}Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board,
    <http://oregon.gov/OWEB/WSHEDS/index.shtml>

11. []{#Footnote11 .anchor}Watershed Assessments completed by local
    watershed councils following the Oregon Watershed Assessment Manual,
    [[http://oregon.gov/OWEB/docs/pubs/ws_assess_manual.shtml]{.underline}](http://oregon.gov/OWEB/docs/pubs/ws_assess_manual.shtml).

12. []{#Footnote12 .anchor}NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section
    II, Threatened and Endangered List.

13. []{#Footnote13 .anchor}Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
    Management Act, Public Law 94-265. As amended through October 11,
    1996.

14. []{#Footnote14 .anchor}Data were taken from the 2002 Agricultural
    Census and adjusted by percent of HUC in the county or by percent of
    zip code area in the HUC, depending on the level of data available.
    Data were also taken from the U.S. Population Census, 2000.

15. []{#Footnote15 .anchor}Conservation participation was estimated
    using NRCS Social Sciences Technical Note 1801, [Guide for
    Estimating Participation in Conservation]{.underline}, 2004. Four
    categories of indicators were evaluated: Personal characteristics,
    farm structural characteristics, perceptions of conservation, and
    community context. Estimates are based on information received from
    local conservationists in the watershed.

16. []{#Footnote16 .anchor}Social capital is an indicator of the
    community's ability and willingness to work together to solve
    problems. A high amount of social capital helps a community to be
    physically healthy, socially progressive, and economically vigorous.
    A low amount of social capital typically results in community
    conflict, lack of trust and respect, and unsuccessful attempts to
    solve problems. The evaluation is based on NRCS Technical Report
    Release 4.1, March, 2002: [Adding Up Social Capital: An Investment
    in Communities]{.underline}. Local conservationists provided
    information to measure social capital. Scores range from 0 to 76.

17. [Surface and Groundwater Resource Protection Map]{.underline}

    a.  []{#footnote17 .anchor}2002 303d Listed Streams designated by
        Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and approved by the
        Environmental Protection Agency, Section 303d Clean Water Act,
        <http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/303dlist/303dpage.htm>

    b.  Groundwater Management Areas designated by the Oregon Department
        of Environmental Quality, Oregon Revised Statutes -- Ground
        Water ORS 468B.150 to ORS 468B.190,
        <http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/groundwa/wqgw.htm>

    c.  Groundwater Restricted Areas designated by Oregon Water
        Resources Commission, Oregon Department of Water Resources,
        <http://egov.oregon.gov/OWRD/PUBS/aquabook_protections.shtml>

    d.  The Sole Source Aquifer (SSA) Protection Program is authorized
        by Section 1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
        (Public Law 93-523, 42 U.S.C. 300 et. seq),
        <http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ssanp.html>

18. []{#Footnote18 .anchor}Subbasin assessments and plans are developed
    by local groups (SWCDs, watershed councils, tribes, and others) as
    part of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's fish and
    wildlife program in the Columbia River Basin. This program is funded
    and implemented by the Bonneville Power Administration.
    <http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/Default.htm>.