National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Program Center

Natural Resource Condition Assessment

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Natural Resource Report NPS/UCBN/NRR—2010/174
ON THE COVER

Map of three park units in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument located in north-central Oregon with insets of pictures 

from the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument website. 
Natural Resource Condition Assessment

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Natural Resource Report NPS/UCBN/NRR—2010/174

Jack Bell

Northwest Management, Inc.

PO Box 9748

Moscow, ID 83843

Dustin Hinson

AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc.

11810 North Creek Parkway N

Bothell, WA 98011

January 2010

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Natural Resource Program Center

Fort Collins, Colorado
ii

The National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center publishes a range of reports that 

address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National 

Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and 

environmental constituencies, and the public. 

The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate high-priority, current natural resource 

management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse 

audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management 

applicability.

All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the 

information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended 

audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received informal 

peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, 

or reporting of the data. Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on 

established, peer-reviewed protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of 

the protocols.

Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report are those of 

the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. 

Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute 

endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service.

This report is available from the Upper Columbia Basin Network website 

(http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ucbn/reports/) and the Natural Resource Publications 

Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/NRPM).

Please cite this publication as:

Bell, J. and D. Hinson. 2010. Natural resource condition assessment: John Day Fossil Beds 

National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/UCBN/NRR—2010/174. National Park 

Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

NPS 177/100904, December 2010
iii

Contents

Figures........................................................................................................................................... vii

Tables............................................................................................................................................ xi

Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... xiii

Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................... xv

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose and Scope ..................................................................................................................... 1

Study Area.................................................................................................................................. 2

Park Setting......................................................................................................................... 2

Land Cover.......................................................................................................................... 6

Upland Habitats/Species................................................................................................... 15

Watersheds........................................................................................................................ 15

Aquatic Habitats/Species.................................................................................................. 20

Climate.............................................................................................................................. 21

Methods......................................................................................................................................... 25

GIS and Geodatabases.............................................................................................................. 25

NPS Data Sources.................................................................................................................... 27

Upland Assessment .................................................................................................................. 28

Aquatic Assessments................................................................................................................ 29

Fire ........................................................................................................................................... 33

Noxious Weeds........................................................................................................................ 34

Upland Assessment Results.......................................................................................................... 35

GIS and Geodatabase ............................................................................................................... 35

Unit Specific Assessments....................................................................................................... 35

Sheep Rock Unit ............................................................................................................... 36

Painted Hills Unit.............................................................................................................. 54

Clarno Unit........................................................................................................................ 62

Aquatic Assessment Results......................................................................................................... 71

John Day River......................................................................................................................... 72
iv

John Day River R14A....................................................................................................... 72

John Day River R14B....................................................................................................... 75

John Day River R14C....................................................................................................... 75

Rock Creek............................................................................................................................... 76

Rock Creek R08................................................................................................................ 76

Rock Creek R15................................................................................................................ 78

Bridge Creek ............................................................................................................................ 78

Bridge Creek R11 ............................................................................................................. 78

Threats and Stressors .................................................................................................................... 81

Upland Resources..................................................................................................................... 81

Fire .................................................................................................................................... 81

Noxious Weeds............................................................................................................... 103

Aquatic Resources.................................................................................................................. 109

Flow Diversions.............................................................................................................. 109

Recreational Land Use.................................................................................................... 109

Agricultural Land Use..................................................................................................... 110

Fine Sediments................................................................................................................ 110

Climate Change...................................................................................................................... 110

Summary and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 115

Upland Assessment ................................................................................................................ 115

Aquatic Assessment ............................................................................................................... 115

Threats and Stressors.............................................................................................................. 116

Fire .................................................................................................................................. 116

Noxious Weeds............................................................................................................... 116

Aquatic Habitat Threats.................................................................................................. 117

Climate Change............................................................................................................... 117

General Threats and Stressors......................................................................................... 118

Data Gaps............................................................................................................................... 120

Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................... 121

Appendix A – List of NRCA Geodatabase Data by Theme ....................................................... 127
v

Appendix B – Landscape Indicator scores by Plot for Upland Assessment............................... 129

Appendix C – List of Plant Species at NRCA Upland Assessment Points ................................ 131

Appendix D – Benthic Macroinvertebrate Site Description Summaries.................................... 137

Appendix E. Macroinvertebrate Taxa List.................................................................................. 143

vii

Figures

Figure 1. Map of the Sheep Rock Unit in JODA......................................................... 3

Figure 2. Map of the Painted Hills Unit in JODA........................................................... 4

Figure 3. Map of the Clarno Unit in JODA..................................................................5

Figure 4. Visitor use per year for JODA from 1976-2008.............................................. 6

Figure 5. Map of NVCS Ecological Systems in the Clarno Unit watersheds ........................ 8

Figure 6. Map of NVCS Ecological Systems in the Painted Hills Unit watersheds ................. 10

Figure 7. Map of NVCS Ecological Systems in the Sheep Rock Unit watersheds ................ 12

Figure 8. Maps of prescribed fire boundaries in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units.

..................................................................................................................14

Figure 9. Maps of subwatershed (HUC6) boundaries in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted 

Hills Units project areas. .................................................................................. 16

Figure 10. Average monthly flows (ft3/sec) in the John Day River at the McDonald Ferry gaging 

station (#14048000) from 1906 to 2008..................................................................18

Figure 11. Maps of 303(d) stream segments that are water quality limited in the Sheep Rock, 

Clarno, and Painted Hills Units project areas............................................................ 19

Figure 12. Maps of possible summer steelhead habitat in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted

Hills Units project areas.................................................................................... 20

Figure 13. Maps of temperature zones in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units project 

areas........................................................................................................... 22

Figure 14. Maps of precipitation zones in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units 

project areas...................................................................................................23

Figure 15. Screen capture of the ArcMap Project file for the JODA Sheep Rock project area...25

Figure 16. Map of ecological site sample plots 1 and 18 in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA........ 37

Figure 17. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 18)....................37

Figure 18. Map of ecological site sample plots 6 and 25 in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA........ 39

Figure 19. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 6)..................39

Figure 20. Map of ecological site sample plots 4, 13, 14, and 15 in the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA.........................................................................................................41
viii

Figure 21. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Loamy, 9-

12 PZ ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 13)..............................41

Figure 22. Map of ecological site sample plot 16 in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA................. 43

Figure 23. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD North, 9-12

PZ ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 16)................................43

Figure 24. Map of ecological site sample plot 17 in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.................45

Figure 25. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

Clayey North, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 17)........45

Figure 26. Map of ecological site sample plot 7 in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA...................47

Figure 27. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Shallow 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 7).................. 47

Figure 28. Map of ecological site sample plot 2 in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA. ........................................................................................................49

Figure 29. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Loamy, 9-

12 PZ ecological site, Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 2).....49

Figure 30. Map of ecological site sample plot 3 in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA..........................................................................................................51

Figure 31. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 

3)...............................................................................................................51

Figure 32. Map of ecological site sample plot 5 in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA......................................................................................................... 53

Figure 33. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

3Clayey South, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA 

(background is plot 5)...................................................................................... 53

Figure 34. Map of ecological site sample plot 8 in the Painted Hills Unit, JODA................ .55

Figure 35. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Clayey, 9-

12 PZ ecological site, Painted Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 8)............................ 55

Figure 36. Map of ecological site sample plots 9 and 11 in the Painted Hills Unit, JODA...... .57

Figure 37. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Painted Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 11).............. .57
ix

Figure 38. Map of ecological site sample plot 10 in the Painted Hills Unit, JODA................. 59

Figure 39. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Sandy 

Loam, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Painted Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 10)............... 59

Figure 40. Map of ecological site sample plot 12 in the Painted Hills Unit, JODA................ 61

Figure 41. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Sodic 

Bottom, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Painted Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 12).............. 61

Figure 42. Map of ecological site sample plots 19 and 23 in the Clarno Unit, JODA............. 63

Figure 43. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

South, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Clarno Unit, JODA (background is plot 23)....................... 63

Figure 44. Map of ecological site sample plots 20 and 22 in the Clarno Unit, JODA............. 65

Figure 45. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Clarno Unit, JODA (background is plot 20).......................... 65

Figure 46. Map of ecological site sample plots 21 and 24 in the Clarno Unit, JODA............. 67

Figure 47. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape attributes in the JD Droughty 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Clarno Unit, JODA (background is plot 24)....................... 67

Figure 48. Map and pictures of aquatic sample sites R14A, R14B, and R14C along the John Day 

River in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.................................................................... 74

Figure 49. Map and pictures of aquatic sample sites R08 and R15 along Rock Creek in the Sheep 

Rock Unit, JODA........................................................................................... 77

Figure 50. Map and picture of aquatic sample site R11 along Bridge Creek in the Painted Hills 

Unit, JODA.................................................................................................. 80

Figure 51. Maps of wildfire starts and fire boundaries in Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units project areas.......................................................................................... 83

Figure 52. Maps of Biophysical Setting for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units in 

JODA......................................................................................................... 85

Figure 53. Maps of Existing Vegetation for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units in 

JODA......................................................................................................... 87

Figure 54. Maps of Succession Class for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units in 

JODA......................................................................................................... 89

Figure 55. Maps of Mean Fire Return Interval for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units in JODA................................................................................................ 91
x

Figure 56. Maps of Fuel Loading Models for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units in 

JODA......................................................................................................... 93

Figure 57. Maps of Fire Regime Groups for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units in 

JODA......................................................................................................... 95

Figure 58. Maps of Fire Regime Condition Class Departure for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and 

Painted Hills Units in JODA............................................................................... 97

Figure 59. Maps of Fire Regime Condition Class for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units in JODA............................................................................................... 99

Figure 60. Flowchart of the relationship between 8 LANDFIRE landscape parameters.........100

Figure 61. Distribution of invasive plant species (<1 acre) within the Painted Hills Unit, 

JODA.........................................................................................................105

Figure 62. Distribution of invasive plant species (>1 acre) within the Painted Hills Unit, 

JODA........................................................................................................ 105

Figure 63. Frequency of invasive and noxious weed species in vegetation plots sampled in 2007 

(total n=362), JODA....................................................................................... 106

Figure 64. Map of invasive weeds found in vegetation plots, accuracy assessment plots, and 

NRCA plots, JODA....................................................................................... 106

Figure 65. Maps of the locations of 4 noxious weeds in Wheeler County, Oregon, from Oregon 

Department of Agricuture’s Weedmapper website (http://www.weedmapper.org/).................. 107
xi

Tables

Table 1. List of ecological systems found in the JODA Clarno Unit watersheds. ......................... 7

Table 2. List of ecological systems found in the JODA Painted Hills Unit watersheds................. 9

Table 3. List of ecological systems found in the JODA Sheep Rock Unit watersheds. ............... 11

Table 4. List of prescribed fires in JODA from 1999 to 2007...................................................... 13

Table 5. Summary of climate parameters at Dayville, OR (Sheep Rock Unit), Fossil, OR (Clarno 

Unit), and Mitchell, OR (Painted Hills Unit)................................................................................ 21

Table 6. Status of inventories of species taxa for JODA maintained ........................................... 27

Table 7. Status of inventories of non-biological data for JODA .................................................. 27

Table 8. Eastern Oregon Index of Biotic Integrity ....................................................................... 32

Table 9. Water quality classifications for the modified Hilsenhoff.............................................. 33

Table 10. Summary of departure ratings for landscape attributes and physiographic attributes for 

JODA upland sample plots. ........................................................................................................ 699

Table 11. Summary of raw and metric BMI scores for the 6 JODA sample sites based on the 

Eastern Oregon IBI. ...................................................................................................................... 71

Table 12. Summary of scores for the 6 JODA sample sites based ............................................... 72

Table 13. Number of wildfire starts in the 3 JODA project areas from 1974-2008. .................... 82

Table 14. Summary of acres of Biophysical Setting classes for each Unit in JODA. .................. 84

Table 15. Summary of acres of Existing Vegetation classes for each Unit in JODA................... 86

Table 16. Summary of acres of Succession Classes for each Unit in JODA................................ 88

Table 17. Summary of acres of Mean Fire Return Interval classes for each Unit in JODA......... 90

Table 18. Summary of acres of Fuel Loading Model classes for each Unit in JODA.................. 92

Table 19. Summary of acres of Fire Regime Group classes for each Unit in JODA. .................. 94

Table 20. Summary of acres of Fire Regime Condition Class Departure for each Unit in JODA.

....................................................................................................................................................... 96

Table 21. Summary of acres of Fire Regime Condition Class for each Unit in JODA................ 98

Table 22. Summary the acres and percent of area for 3 major LANDFIRE landscape parameters 

within the project watersheds of the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units. .................. 101

Table 23. List of invasive and noxious weed species identified as important or located within 

JODA boundaries........................................................................................................................ 104
xii

Table 24. Matrix of potential impact from threats/stressors examined in this report to the major 

resources/processes at JODA...................................................................................................... 119
xiii

Executive Summary

This Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) report and accompanying geodatabase is 

designed to give the resource managers of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA) a 

better understanding of the condition of natural resources within and adjacent to their park. 

Assessment of the natural resources was accomplished by conducting a thorough literature 

review, evaluating existing data, and also collecting new data on areas of the park where 

sufficient, reliable data for an assessment was not available. Aquatic and upland habitats were

assessed and treated separately in the report. Selected threats and stressors to JODA’s natural 

resources were evaluated for the entire park. Information gained from this report will form the 

basis for development of actions to reduce and prevent impairment of JODA’s natural resources 

and assist in the development of desired future conditions through park planning processes.

The study identified 3 project areas composed of 6

th level Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 

watersheds surrounding each park unit with a 2 km buffer. All available geographical 

information (GIS) was acquired for the project area to create an ArcGIS Map Project File and 

Geodatabase. This product is used to make all maps used in the report and analysis of 

geographically based data. All site-specific data was compiled in GIS. Upland data is available in 

digital database and the aquatic data is attached to this report. Maps and pictures were provided 

for each upland and aquatic sample site along with a description of the site and assessment of 

condition. 

Upland sites were sampled at 25 sites distributed in 3 park Units; Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and 

Clarno. All were evaluated based on the ecological site, as defined by soil type, and an

established reference condition (Pellant 2005). Each ecological site received a 5 level rating for 

condition in 3 landscape attributes; soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity. 

Overall, the soil stability and hydrologic function attributes were in good condition, with all but 

one site rated none-slight departure from reference conditions. The biotic integrity attribute 

indicated many areas are not in good condition. Only 5 sites were rated in the none-slight 

departure category (<21%), 9 fell into the slight-moderate category (21%-40%), and 11 in the 

moderate category (41%-60%). The main reason for the poor condition was attributed to past 

land use practices, the presence of noxious weeds, and wild/prescribed fires.

Evaluation of on-site aquatic resources at JODA included an assessment of instream condition 

and water quality of the John Day River, Rock Creek, and Bridge Creek based upon benthic 

macroinvertebrate (BMI) indicators. BMI data were analyzed using an Eastern Oregon Benthic 

Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) developed for northeastern Oregon. An on-site wetland condition 

assessment was conducted within JODA in 2007 (NPS 2008) and included riparian (or riverine) 

wetlands. As such, additional riparian evaluations were not conducted as part of this study. 

Instead, BMI sites evaluated as part of this study were selected to overlap with riverine wetland 

sites assessed as part of the 2007 study in an effort to identify a relationship between instream 

and riparian condition.

IBI scores ranged from 18 to 28 among the 6 samples. These scores fall into the ―high‖ or 

―severe‖ impairment classes using current impairment-class categories for eastern Oregon. While 

Oregon DEQ has used this index to evaluate ecological conditions in eastern Oregon streams 
xiv

outside of the Grande Ronde basin, they do not refer to this index as the eastern Oregon index 

because of its limited applicability. The Rock Creek site, R15, and John Day River Site, R14B, 

received the highest IBI scores of 28, while Bridge Creek received the lowest score of 18.

Based on the Eastern Oregon IBI, Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) values for the 6 sites ranged 

from 3.0 to 4.6, which correspond to good-excellent water quality conditions and minimal 

organic pollution. This translates to minimal organic decomposition and oxygen consumption 

resulting in moderate-high dissolved oxygen concentrations for fish. The Rock Creek site, R15, 

received the highest quality HBI score of 3.0, while the John Day River, R14A, received the 

lowest quality score of 4.6.

Past studies identified 25 noxious or invasive species as either potentially or physically existing 

in the park. Of these only 3 have not physically been identified through data collection projects

reviewed for this report. Of the 25, 19 are listed as Class B noxious weeds by the Oregon State 

Weed Board and yellow starthistle is the only one classified as high priority for control, Class T. 

Accurate mapping of weeds on surrounding lands would allow JODA’s staff to be more strategic 

in the noxious weed management by being prepared for possible new invaders and cooperating 

on control of existing species. Cooperation with adjacent landowners, private and public, is the 

most effective method to prevent and control noxious weeds. To this end, JODA is a member of 

the recently formed Grant County Weed Management Area, which has members of local, state, 

federal, and private organizations.

Climate in the Pacific Northwest is predicted to have warmer, wetter winters with an increase of 

3.1° F. by 2030 and 5% increase in precipitation (Mote et al. 2005). Precipitation is predicted to 

come more in the form of rain with smaller snow packs with seasonal stream flows shifting

markedly toward larger winter and spring flows and smaller summer and autumn flows. The 43 

sub-basins in the Columbia River basin have their own sub-basin management plans for fish and 

wildlife but none comprehensively addresses reduced summertime flows under climate change.

Possible impacts to ecosystem processes, communities, and/or species can only be addressed

through future natural resource planning and enhanced monitoring programs based on the 

predicted climate changes.

Overall, JODA has many future challenges to achieve the stated desired goal for resource 

management (NPS 2006). Results of this report should assist park managers in identifying when, 

where, and how to improve management practices, justify additional resources, and prepare for 

the changes in environment that will directly impact JODA natural and cultural resources.
xv

Acknowledgements

We wish to begin by thanking Shirley Hoh, Natural Resource Manager at John Day Fossil Beds 

National Monument for her time and courteous help in all stages of the project. Ms. Hoh was 

extremely helpful providing pertinent information to field crews on access points in the park. We 

owe a great deal of appreciation to our dedicated field staff, including Drake Barton and Kathy 

Elliot, Northwest Management, Inc., and Nicole Neumiller and Gerald Ladd of AMEC. Vaiden 

Bloch, GIS Specialist, with Northwest Management, Inc. was invaluable in preparing the 

Geodatabase and map project files. We would like to thank the many staff at Northwest 

Management, Inc. for their edits and insightful comments on the manuscript, especially Diane 

Corrao, Administrative Manager. Finally, we are very thankful for all the support and help from 

Lisa Garrett, NPS Upper Columbia Basin Network, and Jason Lyon, NPS Nez Perce National 

Historical Park. They had the vision to develop and implement this project and the 

professionalism and dedication to guide it to completion.

1

Introduction

Purpose and Scope 

The mission of the National Park Service is ―to conserve unimpaired the natural and cultural 

resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment of this and future 

generations‖ (National Park Service 1999). To uphold this goal, the Director of the NPS 

approved the Natural Resource Challenge to encourage national parks to focus on the 

preservation of the nation’s natural heritage through science, natural resource inventories, and 

expanded resource monitoring (National Park Service 1999). Through the challenge, 270 parks 

in the national park system were organized into 32 inventory and monitoring networks.

The Upper Columbia Basin Network (UCBN) consists of nine widely separated NPS Units 

located in western Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, and central Oregon. Parks of the Upper 

Columbia Basin Network include: Big Hole National Battlefield (BIHO), City of Rocks National 

Reserve (CIRO), Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO), Hagerman 

Fossil Beds National Monument (HAFO), John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA), 

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO), Minidoka Internment National Monument 

(MIIN), Nez Perce National Historical Park (NEPE), and Whitman Mission National Historic 

Site (WHMI).

As part of the Natural Resource Challenge, the NPS Water Resources Division received an 

increase in funding to assess natural resource conditions in national park Units. Management 

oversight and technical support for this effort is provided by the division’s Watershed Condition 

Assessment (WCA) Program. The WCA Program partnered with the Pacific West Region to 

fund and oversee an assessment at each park in the Upper Columbia Basin Network (UCBN). 

This report documents the results of the Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) 

completed for the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA). 

Natural resource condition assessments are broad-scope ecological assessments intended to 

synthesize ―information products‖ readily usable by park managers for: a) resource stewardship 

planning and b) reporting to performance measures such as the DOI Strategic Plan’s ―land 

health‖ goals. Three elements are key to making these assessments useful for both planning and 

performance reporting: 

1. Build on data, information, and knowledge already assembled through efforts of the 

NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program, NPS science support programs, and from 

partner collaborators working in and near parks;

2. Emphasize a strong geospatial component for how the assessment is conducted and in 

the resulting information products;

3. Provide narrative and/or semi-quantitative descriptions of science-based reference 

conditions for park resources that will assist parks as they work to define Desired Future 

Conditions through park planning processes. These reference conditions will become 

more refined and quantitative over time. 
2

Information gained from this report will form the basis for development of actions to reduce and 

prevent impairment of park resources through park and partnership efforts. The goals of the 

natural resource condition assessment are to:

Determine the state of knowledge concerning overall natural resource condition

Identify information gaps and resource threats

Assess overall ecosystem health

Set the stage to establish the context for management actions and collaboration

This report is designed to give park staff a moment-in-time assessment of the natural resources 

of JODA. This report will describe the natural resources of the park (both aquatic and upland), 

determine the state of knowledge on their condition using existing data or new data collected at 

priority sites for this project, identify information gaps, draw conclusions or hypotheses on the 

condition of natural resources (unknown, degraded, unimpaired), identify resource threats or 

potential issues affecting ecosystem health, and recommend further studies. 

Study Area

Park Setting

Within the heavily eroded volcanic deposits of the scenic John Day River basin is a wellpreserved fossil record of plants and animals. The fossil record spans more than 40 of the 65 

million years of the Cenozoic Era (the "Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants") and is known 

throughout the world. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA) was authorized by 

Congress on October 26, 1974, and established in 1975. The park’s purpose is to identify, 

interpret, and protect the geologic, paleontological, natural, and cultural resources along the 

mainstem of the John Day River and to provide facilities that will promote and assist visitor 

recreational enjoyment and understanding of the monument. 

JODA covers 14,056 acres and is geographically divided into three widely separated Units; the 

Sheep Rock Unit, the Painted Hills Unit, and the Clarno Unit. Sheep Rock is the largest Unit, 

located a few miles northwest of Dayville in Grant County, Oregon. The next biggest Unit is 

Painted Hills, lying 10 miles northwest of Mitchell in adjacent Wheeler County. Also in Wheeler 

County, is the smallest Unit, Clarno, which is approximately 20 miles southwest of Fossil, 

Oregon. All three Units support similar plant communities, though individual species in these 

communities vary from Unit to Unit. The plant communities are classified as "intermontane 

sagebrush steppe" with a mixture of dryland grasses, forbs, shrubs and Western juniper

(Juniperus occidentalis) (McAdams 1999). 

The Sheep Rock Unit (8,916 acres) includes 3 subunits Sheep Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Foree 

and is bisected by the John Day River (Figure 1). The river meanders north through the gorge 

and traverses the length of the Unit. The flanks of these hills are composed of sagebrush, grasses, 

and juniper. Weathering and landslides have exposed raw earth colors that typify these paleosols 

and volcanically derived geologic formations. Six prominent groups of strata occur: the 

Rattlesnake, Mascall, Picture Gorge basalt, Clarno, Goose Rock, and John Day. Flora and fauna 

fossils of the Tertiary period have been found in the Sheep Rock Unit. This Unit also includes 

the 200-acre James Cant Ranch that includes ranch structures and hay fields, and the park’s 
3

administrative offices. Cant Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as 

representative of local ranching activity. Approximately 74 acres of the ranch bottomlands are 

leased and continue to be irrigated and harvested for hay. 

The Painted Hills Unit (3,129 acres) is a series of smoothly sculptured hills and ridges that are

rounded, folded, and colored in deep pastel reds, golds, and buffs (Figure 2). The hills are 

virtually devoid of vegetation except for specially adapted flowering plants found in narrow 

draws. The Painted Hills include the oldest part of the John Day Formation - an intermediate age 

in the John Day Fossil Beds story. The multi-colored hills of this Unit result from volcanic ash 

depositions metamorphosed over time by physical and chemical interactions. Significant leaf 

imprint and mammalian fossils are found in this Unit. The formations of the Painted Hills Unit

are extremely fragile and vehicular traffic is limited to maintained roads. 

The Clarno Unit covers 1,969 acres and is the northernmost of the three Units. The most 

prominent feature is the towering palisades, rising sharply from the valley floor and forming 

craggy pinnacles (Figure 3). The palisades are a series of sharp cliffs, up to 150 feet high, formed 

from a series of volcanic ash-laden mud-flows. Located within the Unit is Camp Hancock, a 10 

Figure 1. Map of the Sheep Rock Unit in JODA.
4

acre facility owned and managed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The ground 

cover in the Clarno Unit is dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), scattered western 

junipers (Juniperus occidentalis) and grasses. Interest in this area has historically been centered 

upon the fossils of the Clarno nut beds and mammal quarry. The Clarno nut beds are an 

important occurrence because the plant remains are premineralized seeds and nuts (most fossil 

floras yield mainly impressions of leaves). The Clarno Mammal Quarry contains a good 

representation of large mammals.

Elevation at JODA ranges from approximately 1,380 feet in the Clarno Unit to a high point of 

approximately 4,114 feet along the eastern boundary of the Sheep Rock Unit. The majority of the 

monument, including much of the Painted Hills, lies within 2,000’ to 2,500’ elevation.

Eight plant species found in JODA are considered rare or threatened (Youtie and Winward 

1977). These plants include John Day milkvetch (Astragalus diaphanus), pauper milkvetch 

(Astragalus misellus var. misellus), yellow hairy paintbrush (Castilleja xanthotricha), John Day 

chaenactis (Chaenactis nevii), Henderson’s lomatium (Lomatium hendersonii), barrel cactus 

(Pediocactus simpsonii var. robustior), crested tongue penstemon (Penstemon eriantherus var.

argillosus) and belled cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa var. cinquefoil). 

Figure 2. Map of the Painted Hills Unit in JODA.
5

A total of 5 species of amphibians and 12 species of reptiles were documented in the monument 

in 2002 and 2003 (Rodhouse et al. 2004). Only two expected species of herpetofauna, the pygmy 

short horned lizard and the rubber boa were not confirmed in JODA. A unique and isolated 

population of western whiptail lizard was found in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit.

Over 30 species of vertebrates listed as state or federal species of concern have been documented 

in JODA during recent inventories. However, only the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and 

steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species 

Act.

From 1986 to 2008, over 110,621 people annually visited John Day Fossil Beds National 

Monument (Figure 4). Over half of the park’s visitation occurs between May and September. A 

2004 visitor study, conducted by the University of Idaho, found the majority of visitors to the 

park were there for the first time. An overwhelming number do not visit the park with a guided 

tour group, but rather travel on their own to view the spectacular scenery and world famous

fossil beds. More than half of the park’s visitors hail from Oregon with the remainder visiting 

primarily from neighboring states and a small percentage from other countries (NPS 2006).

Figure 3. Map of the Clarno Unit in JODA.
6

Land Cover

The primary vegetation type in JODA is sagebrush steppe consisting of sagebrush or shadscale 

and a variety of bunchgrasses. Moist alkaline flats support alkali-tolerant greasewood. Along the 

John Day River and tributaries that flow through the monument, vegetation consists of willows, 

cottonwoods, and a variety of sedges and forbs. Juniper woodlands are also an important 

vegetation type in the monument that has expanded over the past 100 years due to fire 

suppression.

Vegetation data was available from the LANDFIRE program (USFS and USGS 2008). 

Vegetation maps were created through predictive modeling using a combination of field 

reference information, 1999-2004 Landsat imagery, and spatially explicit biophysical gradient 

data. Map units were derived from National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) 

Ecological Systems classification (Comer et.al. 2003). The data was clipped by the watershed 

boundaries (described in the following ―Watersheds‖ section), then summarized by class and 

mapped for each of the JODA Units watershed area.

The Clarno Unit watersheds (51,398 acres) are dominated by Wyoming sagebrush – bluebunch 

wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) (32.51%) and Wyoming big sagebrush (Aretimisia 

tridentata spp. wyomingensis) (23.59%) with little agriculture or developed areas (Table 1, 

Figure 5). The Painted Hills watersheds (39,864 acres) are dominated by Big Sagebrushbluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) (40.34%) and Wyoming big sagebrush (33.06%) 

also with less than 2% of the watersheds in agriculture or developed lands (Table 2, Figure 6). 

The Sheep Rock watersheds (113,429 acres) are dominated by big sagebrush-bluebunch 

wheatgrass (36.59%) and wyoming big sagebrush (13.63%) also with less than 3% of the 

watersheds in agriculture or developed lands (Table 3, Figure 7). Over 25% of the Sheep Rock 

watersheds are occupied by tree dominated vegetation, mainly ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) 

and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).

Figure 4. Visitor use per year for JODA from 1976-2008.
7

Table 1. List of ecological systems found in the JODA Clarno Unit watersheds.

NVCS Ecological Systems Acres Percentage

Agriculture 1,074 2.09%

Barren 214 0.42%

Big Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 16,712 32.51%

Bluebunch Wheatgrass 64 0.12%

Bluegrass Scabland 11,163 21.72%

Cottonwood-Willow 527 1.03%

Curlleaf Mountain-Mahogany 21 0.04%

Developed 541 1.05%

Idaho Fescue 139 0.27%

Interior Douglas-Fir 92 0.18%

Interior Ponderosa Pine 200 0.39%

Introduced Upland Vegetation - Herbaceous 3,508 6.82%

Low Sagebrush 2,708 5.27%

Mountain Big Sagebrush 448 0.87%

Rough Fescue-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 720 1.40%

Western Juniper-Big Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 853 1.66%

Wyoming Big Sagebrush 12,125 23.59%

Total 51,398
8

Figure 5. Map of NVCS Ecological Systems in the Clarno Unit watersheds.
9

Table 2. List of ecological systems found in the JODA Painted Hills Unit watersheds.

NVCS Ecological Systems Acres Percentage

Agriculture 478 1.20%

Barren 22 0.06%

Big Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 16082 40.34%

Bluebunch Wheatgrass 39 0.10%

Bluegrass Scabland 1674 4.20%

Cottonwood-Willow 172 0.43%

Curlleaf Mountain-Mahogany 13 0.03%

Developed 334 0.84%

Idaho Fescue-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 207 0.52%

Interior Ponderosa Pine 918 2.30%

Introduced Upland Vegetation - Herbaceous 2163 5.43%

Low Sagebrush 1594 4.00%

Mountain Big Sagebrush 28 0.07%

Saltbush-Greasewood 42 0.11%

Western Juniper-Big Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 2785 6.99%

Wyoming Big Sagebrush 13181 33.06%

Total 39,864
10

Figure 6. Map of NVCS Ecological Systems in the Painted Hills Unit watersheds.
11

Table 3. List of ecological systems found in the JODA Sheep Rock Unit watersheds.

NVCS Ecological Systems Acres Percentage

Agriculture 1518 1.34%

Aspen 963 0.85%

Barren 105 0.09%

Big Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 41509 36.59%

Bluebunch Wheatgrass 55 0.05%

Bluegrass Scabland 2994 2.64%

Cottonwood-Willow 1557 1.37%

Curlleaf Mountain-Mahogany 185 0.16%

Developed 1783 1.57%

Grand Fir 1550 1.37%

Idaho Fescue-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 619 0.55%

Interior Douglas-Fir 14134 12.46%

Interior Ponderosa Pine 11969 10.55%

Introduced Upland Vegetation - Herbaceous 1528 1.35%

Lodgepole Pine 263 0.23%

Low Sagebrush 5417 4.78%

Mountain Big Sagebrush 264 0.23%

Riparian 442 0.39%

Saltbush-Greasewood 93 0.08%

Sparsely Vegetated 123 0.11%

Water 64 0.06%

Western Juniper-Big Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass 10685 9.42%

Wyoming Big Sagebrush 15461 13.63%

Total 113,429
12

Figure 7. Map of NVCS Ecological Systems in the Sheep Rock Unit watersheds.
13

The estimates of existing vegetation within the park boundaries may have been modified by an

intensive effort to restore the natural process of fire to the landscape. In 1998, a fire management 

plan was adopted by JODA that initiated a series of prescribed fires from 1999 to 2007 

(McAdams1999). The plan was not to eradicate junipers, but to maintain the natural checks and 

balances that prehistorically developed this region into a grass/sagebrush community (NPS 

2006). A total of 7,437 acres were burned by prescribed fire within the park boundaries during 

this period (Table 4). Many of the prescribed fires were cooperative efforts and the burn 

boundaries extended onto private and federal lands outside of JODA. There were 6 prescribed 

fires implemented in the Sheep Rock Unit and 1 in the Painted Hills Unit (Figure 8). The 

majority of the Clarno Unit experienced wildfires in 1994 and 1995.

Table 4. List of prescribed fires in JODA from 1999 to 2007.

Prescribed Fire 

Name Unit Date

Acres 

Burned in 

Park

Total Acres 

Burned

Windy Point Sheep Rock September 7-8, 1999 1,737 1,737

Picture Gorge Sheep Rock October 2, 2001 845 1,286

Sand Mountain Painted Hills September 20-22, 2002 1,762 5,351

Middle Mountain Sheep Rock September 24-25, 2002 1,120 3,380

Rock Creek Sheep Rock September 5, 2004 1,103 4,600

Branson South Foree September 1, 2005 800 800

Branson North Foree September 14, 2007 70 70

Most of the monument lands have been subject to livestock grazing for the past 100 years and 

other related agricultural uses. During this time fire suppression activities throughout the region 

have allowed for increases in big sagebrush and western juniper. Subsequently, many of the 

native plants, including grasses, have been severely reduced in their distribution. Population 

diversity has been reduced as well. Exotic species such as cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) have 

begun replacing the native grasses and forbs. Other introduced exotic species, such as knapweeds

(Centaurea spp.), white top (Cardaria draba), and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)

are present and spreading. Dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) and yellow star-thistle

(Centaurea solstitialis), listed noxious plants, can also be found in the monument and are a major 

concern for park weed management efforts.

Healthy remnants of native plant communities still exist within the monument. For example, well 

developed stands of bluebunch wheatgrass occur along many north-facing mesic slopes. 

Removal of livestock grazing on most of the monument has eliminated the potential for 

overgrazing. Within the historic zone of the monument, the agricultural fields are in good 

condition. Three agricultural fields in the Sheep Rock Unit (57 acres) are managed for hay 

production. Also, within the historic district is the remnant of a ―homestead orchard‖ that is 

managed to maintain the cultural landscape of an early ranch home.
14

Figure 8. Maps of prescribed fire boundaries in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units.
15

Upland Habitats/Species

Large mammals present in the monument include coyote (Canis latrans), mule deer (Odocoileus 

hemionus), elk (Cervus elephus), mountain lion (Puma concolor), and bobcat (Lynx rufus). 

Smaller species include deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), northern pocket gopher

(Thomomys talpoides), Ord’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii), Great Basin pocket mouse

(Perognathus parvus), western harvest mouse, (Reithrodontomys megalotis), montane vole

(Microtus pennsylvanicus), and bushy-tailed wood rat (Neotoma cinerea). Forty-six species of 

mammals were confirmed in the monument during 2002 and 2003 and one of these, the bighorn 

sheep (Ovis Canadensis), was not expected to occur there. All 14 species of bats expected to 

occur in the monument were documented. The discovery of the spotted bat (Euderma 

maculatum) in all 3 Units of the monument was unexpected and virtually unknown in Oregon 

(Rodhouse et al. 2004).

Numerous raptors occur in JODA, including the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), golden 

eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), American kestrel (Falco 

sparverius), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), barn owl (Tyto alba), long-eared owl (Asio 

otus), and screech owl (Otus kennicottii). One hundred forty two species of birds have been 

confirmed in or adjacent to the monument (Rodhouse et al. 2004). During the 2002-2003 

inventories, the first record of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) was made for JODA. 

A deer population survey conducted in 1979 (Griffith 1980) concluded that there is a year-long 

resident population in JODA supplemented by a migratory wintering population. The winter 

population is present from November through April. Deer do not appear to make exclusive use of 

the monument as a refuge during hunting season since extensive vegetation exists on adjacent 

lands. Moderate predator control on adjacent lands may impact coyote and mountain lion 

populations within the park.

Watersheds

The John Day River basin drains approximately 5,067,500 acres (8000 mi2) and is bound by the 

Columbia River to the north, the Blue Mountains to the east, the Aldrich Mountains and 

Strawberry Range to the south, and the Ochoco Mountains to the west. The John Day subbasin

incorporates portions of Grant, Wheeler, Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco, Jefferson, Umatilla, Morrow, 

Crook, Harney, Baker, and Union Counties. The John Day River flows generally northwest for 

284 miles from its origin in the Blue Mountains before joining the Columbia River at river mile 

(RM) 217. 

River and stream drainages are uniquely identified by hydrologic unit codes (HUC). These are 

geographic areas based on surface topography containing a major river or a group of smaller 

rivers. The Pacific Northwest is number 17 of the 21 regions (HUC1) in the United States. The 

second level divides the 21 regions into 222 subregions. Subregions are areas drained by a river 

system, a reach of a river and its tributaries, a closed basin, or a group of streams forming a 

coastal drainage area. The third level subdivides the subregions into 352 basins. There are also

2,149 fourth level drainages, referred to as subbasins.

The John Day River basin is classified as a 3rd level HUC with a number of 170702 (HUC3). The 

basin consists of four fourth level (HUC4) subbasins: the Upper John Day River (17070201), the 

North Fork John Day River (17070202), the Middle Fork John Day River (17070203), and the 
16

Lower John Day River (17070204). These are further divided into 42 watersheds (HUC5) and 

340 subwatersheds (HUC6). Figure 9 displays maps of the subwatershed boundaries (HUC6) in 

the Sheep Rock Unit (5 subwatersheds), Clarno Unit (2 subwatersheds), and Painted Hills Unit

Figure 9. Maps of subwatershed (HUC6) boundaries in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted 

Hills Units project areas.
17

(2 subwatersheds) . The Sheep Rock Unit occupies 0.17% of the subbasin and 2.3% of the 6th

level HUCs in the map project. The Clarno Unit occupies 0.04% of the subbasin and 3.8% of the 

6

th level HUCs in the map project. The Painted Hills Unit occupies 0.06% of the subbasin and 

7.9% of the 6th level HUCs in the map project.

Most of the water in the John Day basin is derived from the upper watershed, primarily in the

form of melting snow. Discharge from the free-flowing (no large-scale dams) John Day River is

highly variable from peak to low flows. Flow data in the John Day River subbasin is currently 

being collected from 18 stations located on the river and various tributaries. The Oregon Water 

Resource Department (OWRD) operates and maintains 11 stream flow gauging stations. The 

USGS operates 6 and the BLM has assumed operation of one additional station. Historic gauging 

station stream flow data for all current stations as well as ―real time‖ stream flows for some 

stations are available for download as average daily flows from the OWRD website at 

www.wrd.state.or.us. The USGS also publishes data from some of the stations in its annual

report on stream flows in Oregon.

Stream flows on the mainstem John Day River are currently monitored at five locations:

McDonald Ferry (RM 21), Service Creek (RM 157), Picture Gorge (RM 205), John Day (RM

253) and Blue Mountain Hot Springs (RM 275). Flows from the North Fork are monitored at a

station near Monument (RM 16). Stream flows in the Middle Fork are recorded near Ritter (RM

15). Two stations are active on the South Fork: one near Dayville (RM 7) and the other near Izee 

(RM 34). Other streams currently being monitored include: Mountain Creek, Lone Rock Creek, 

Butte Creek, Murderer’s Creek, Deer Creek, Canyon Creek, Strawberry Creek, Camas Creek and 

Bridge Creek.

The USGS-maintained gage at McDonald Ferry, Oregon (gage # 14048000), is the oldest gage in

the subbasin and has been in operation since December 1904. The discharge measured at this 

station represents 7,580 square miles, or approximately 96% of the entire subbasin. Other longstanding gages in the subbasin include John Day River near John Day (#14038530), North Fork 

John Day River at Monument (#14046000), and John Day River at Service Creek (#14046500). 

As recorded at the McDonald Ferry station, the John Day River’s mean annual discharge into the 

Columbia River is slightly more than 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The average monthly 

discharge ranges from a high of 5,595 cubic feet/second (cfs) in April to a low of 178 cfs in 

September (Figure 10).

Peak stream flows in the John Day River usually occur from March through May while the

seasonal low flows typically occur from August through October. The highest recorded

discharge of the John Day River was 42,800 cfs on December 24, 1964, and was caused by warm 

rain melting large amounts of snow. The lowest recorded discharge from the McDonald Ferry 

station was zero cfs for part of September 2, 1966, August 15 to September 16, 1973, and August 

13, 14 and 19 to 25, 1977. Peak flow at the McDonald Ferry gauging station is typically over 100 

times greater than the lowest flows of the same year. From year to year, peak flows can vary as 

much as 300 to 700%. The hydrologic curve has shifted from historic times with peak flows 

greater than in the past and late season flows more diminished. It is suspected that these effects 

are due to greatly reduced rates of soil infiltration, reduced capacity for ground water/riparian 

storage, and diminished in-channel storage in beaver ponds (BPA 2005).
18

Water quality standards are benchmarks established to assess whether river and lake quality is

adequate to protect fish and other aquatic life, recreation, agriculture, industry, drinking water,

and other uses. Water quality standards are also regulatory tools used by the Oregon Department 

of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to 

prevent water pollution. States are required to adopt water quality standards by the federal Clean 

Water Act and to maintain a list of stream segments that do not meet the standards. This list is 

referred to as the 303(d) list, based on the applicable section of the Clean Water Act. The Clean 

Water Act requires states to develop water ability goals called Total Maximum Daily Loads

(TMDL) along with an implementation plan and schedule to achieve the water quality goals for 

303(d) listed water bodies.

The streams within the subwatersheds of the 3 JODA Units have segments listed for being water 

quality limited (Figure 12). Parameters include alkalinity, ammonia, chlorophyll a, dissolved 

oxygen, E Coli, fecal coliform, phosphate, sedimentation, temperature, pH, and others. These 

parameters are based on a beneficial use for cold water fish, recreation, and others. During the 

summer months from July to September, groundwater provides much of the base flow to the 

Lower John Day River. Many of the stream segments shown in Figure 12 have multiple 

parameters listed in the database. Although ODEQ has listed the lower section of the John Day 

River as water quality limited for temperature, other water quality constituents such as total 

phosphates, biochemical oxygen demand, and fecal coliform can also limit water quality during 

late summer when flows are the lowest and water temperatures are the greatest. Severe stream

bank erosion and sedimentation exists in some tributaries. Most water quality problems in the 

John Day subbasin stem from vegetation disturbance, stream straightening and relocation, yearFigure 10. Average monthly flows (ft3

/sec) in the John Day River at the McDonald 

Ferry gaging station (#14048000) from 1906 to 2008.
19

round livestock grazing, cumulative effects of timber harvest and road building, water 

withdrawals for irrigation and historical mining and dredging (BPA 2005).

Figure 11. Maps of 303(d) stream segments that are water quality limited in the Sheep Rock, 

Clarno, and Painted Hills Units project areas.
20

Aquatic Habitats/Species

JODA presently lacks information to adequately assess the condition of fish populations within 

the monument. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have identified summer steelhead 

habitat in the project area basins, but did not list any streams as bull trout habitat (Figure 12). 

Recent efforts to improve riparian conditions within JODA are beneficial to fish populations. 

JODA is working cooperatively with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA), Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) on a restoration and monitoring 

project covering the lower 19 miles of Bridge Creek (NOAA 2007). Continuation of past 

agricultural practices such as year-round livestock grazing within riparian areas and clearing of 

all vegetation from the stream channels along the John Day River and Rock Creek above the 

monument likely threatens the condition of fish populations by raising temperatures and siltation

levels. 

Figure 12. Maps of possible summer steelhead habitat in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted 

Hills Units project areas.
21

Climate

The extensive rain shadow cast by the Cascade and Ochoco mountains to the west dominates the 

climate of JODA. Winters are cool and dry and summers are hot and dry. Rainfall patterns are 

variable in the region, but most precipitation falls in the early spring and late fall. Long term

averages (> 30 years) were available from the Western Regional Climate Center

(http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/Climsum.html). Summary data was used from weather stations near 

Dayville; 8 miles east of the Sheep Rock Unit; Mitchell, 10 miles southeast of the Painted Hills 

Unit; and Fossil, 20 miles northeast of the Clarno Unit. The Sheep Rock Unit is the warmest in 

July and Clarno receives the most precipitation annually (Table 5). Data from the rain gauge at 

the monument headquarters indicate that rainfall there has been below average in recent years. 

Snowfall represents a significant proportion of the winter precipitation, but snowpack is 

ephemeral and rarely lasts more than a few days. Thirty-year January and July mean 

temperatures from Dayville are 36 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. It is important to 

note that winter and summer temperature extremes frequently drop below freezing in the winter 

and rise above 100 degrees in the summer. Figures 13 and 14 show the distribution of 

temperature and precipitation zones within the project areas of each Unit. 

Table 5. Summary of climate parameters at Dayville, OR (Sheep Rock Unit), Fossil, OR (Clarno 

Unit), and Mitchell, OR (Painted Hills Unit).

January July

Area

Annual Mean

Precipitation

Annual Mean 

Temperature 

(F)

Average 

Maximum 

Temperature 

(F)

Average 

Minimum 

Temperature 

(F)

Average 

Maximum 

Temperature 

(F)

Average 

Minimum 

Temperature 

(F)

Dayville, OR 11.36" 65.1° 43.0° 24.4° 88.9° 49.7°

Fossil, OR 14.42" 62.3° 41.7° 24.3° 85.2° 45.6°

Mitchell, OR 11.3" 62.9° 41.8° 23.8° 86.0° 49.9°
22

Figure 13. Maps of temperature zones (Fahrenheit) in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted 

Hills Units project areas.
23

Figure 14. Maps of precipitation zones in the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units 

project areas.

25

Methods

GIS and Geodatabases

The majority of data used in this report is Geographical Information System (GIS) data in tabular 

form tied to spatial features, such as points, lines, and/or polygons. GIS software provides spatial 

analysis capabilities such as overlay, buffer, extraction, and modeling. Results can then be 

displayed in map and tabular form. GIS software ARCMap Version 9.3 was used to store, edit, 

and display data.

Map project files (Figure 15) were developed for JODA using ArcMap software that followed 

the behavioral rules for data in a single Microsoft Access database. Many types of geographic 

datasets can be collected within a map project file including feature classes, attribute tables, and 

raster data sets. The NPS ArcMap 8 1/2‖x11‖ template was used in the 3 JODA map project 

files.

Geographically defined project areas were created by selecting 6th level hydrologic unit code 

(HUC) watersheds surrounding the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units. A 2 kilometer 

Figure 15. Screen capture of the ArcMap Project file for the JODA Sheep Rock project area.
26

buffer was added to each watershed for mapping purposes totaling 173,403 acres, 92,685 acres, 

and 79,394 acres, respectively, for each Unit. General base map layers and aerial photography 

were developed for the full project area extent. Most layers were clipped to the subwatershed 

basin for analysis and summarization of attributes.

The map project files were populated with GIS data through an extensive search of NPS sources 

and a multitude of local, state, and federal web sites. Data determined to be useful and accurate 

were re-projected into the North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) datum and the Universal 

Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone 11 projection for the Sheep Rock Unit and UTM zone 12 for 

the Clarno and Painted Hills Units. Metadata was generated for each layer in Federal Geographic 

Data Committee (FGDC) compliant format. Metadata describes the source, accuracy, data 

dictionary, projection, datum, and many other details about an individual layer. Aerial 

photography was processed and clipped to the project area using LizardTech GeoExpress 

software and converted into MG3 (MrSid Generation 3) format files. 

Attribute information on the specific data layers clipped to the watershed basin extent were 

summarized in a spreadsheet based on the various attribute parts, lengths, acreage etc. of the 

various data layers in the map project files. The spreadsheets for each Unit can be found on the 

DVD under the respective Unit name and the subdirectory ―Project Summary.‖

All GIS data layers were imported into an ArcGIS File Geodatabase using ArcCatalog ver. 9.3 

(ESRI 2006). Feature Data Sets were created based on theme type. A geodatabase is an ArcMap 

file structure that stores geometry, spatial reference system, attributed datasets, network datasets, 

topologies, and many other features. This GIS format provides a uniform method for storing and 

using GIS data and provides the flexibility to add new information as it becomes available.

Map layers were organized into categories based on general theme type. Although data was not 

available for each theme type, the category directory is included to incorporate data that may 

become available in the future. The general themes used include:

Air Resources

Animal

Climate

Geography

Geology

Land Process

Land Use

Plant

Stressors

Water Resources

Aerial photography was not included in the geodatabase due to the limitations of processing 

MG3 file formats. Aerials are included in a separate directory outside the geodatabase. All the 

data, project file and summary table are included on a DVD disk for distribution with this report. 

As a by-product of this search, a Microsoft Access database (included on DVD) was created for 

websites with documented GIS data that could be downloaded in various formats compatible 
27

with ESRI’s ArcMap software. The database has a custom query form for doing searches on the 

3,000+ entries covering Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

NPS Data Sources

Additional non-GIS data was acquired from searches on the internet, such as NPS NatureBib 

(https://science1.nature.nps.gov/naturebib), and from direct contact with local and state 

government agencies. Table 6 is the status of inventories of the species taxa groups for JODA. 

Available data from completed inventories were utilized where needed in the report. This 

information as well as additional data is available from the UCBN website 

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ucbn/inventory/index.cfm#table. Rare plant species 

inventories, a subset of vascular plant inventories, have only been completed for the Painted 

Hills Unit. An inventory of butterflies was completed by Anderson (2004) and only the Painted 

Hills Unit has an invasive plant species inventory.

Table 6. Status of inventories of species taxa for JODA maintained

by the UCBN.

Species Taxa Complete

Year 

Completed

InProgressNot 

Complete

Mammals  2003

Birds  2003

Amphibians  2003

Reptiles  2003

Fish  Unknown

Invertebrates 

Vascular Plants  1977

Rare Plants 

Invasive Plants 

Additional non-biological data sets have been identified by the UCBN as important for park 

management (Table 7). Both the biologic and non-biologic inventories were considered as 

baseline information for development of the UCBN vital signs monitoring plan (Garrett et al. 

2007). Three data sets have not been completed by the UCBN however some park sites may 

have data available from other sources. 

Table 7. Status of inventories of non-biological data for JODA

maintained by the UCBN.

Non-Biologic Data 

Sets Complete

Year 

Completed

InProgressNot 

Complete

Air Quality / 

Emissions



Ozone Risk  2001

Water Quality  1997

Landcover 

Paleo Resources  2005

Geology 

Soils  2000

Cultural Landscapes  2009

The UCBN Monitoring Plan (Garrett et al. 2007) identifies a suite of 14 vital signs chosen 

for monitoring implementation in the UCBN parks over the next 5 years. Vital signs are ―a 
28

subset of physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems that are 

selected to represent the overall health or condition of park resources, known or hypothesized 

effects of stressors, or elements that have important human values‖ (NPS-UCBN 

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/). Not all vital signs are monitored at each park. JODA 

has 7 vital signs established for monitoring; stream/river channel characteristics, surface water 

dynamics, water chemistry, aquatic macroinvertebrates, invasive/exotic plants, riparian 

vegetation, sagebrush-steppe vegetation, bats, and land cover and use (Garrett et al. 2007).

Upland Assessment

Ecological sites are the basis for evaluation of upland habitats using an assessment method codeveloped by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Agricultural Research 

Service (ARS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the United States Geological Survey 

(USGS). The method is described in the publication ―Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland

Health‖ (Pellant et al. 2005). Ecological site is a land classification system based on the potential 

of land to produce distinctive kinds, amounts, and proportions of vegetation. They were used as 

sample units and were identified from soils maps. All 25 sample sites within the 3 Units; 14 in 

Sheep Rock, 5 in Painted Hills and 6 in Clarno; were assessed using the BLM rapid assessment 

for rangeland health methodology. The Sheep Rock Unit was also assessed by prescribed burn 

units.

The rangeland health rapid assessment methodology is designed to provide a preliminary 

evaluation of 3 landscape attributes; soil/site stability, hydrologic function, and integrity of the 

biotic community at the ecological site level. It was developed to assist land managers in 

identifying areas that are potentially at risk of degradation and assist in the selection of sites for 

developing monitoring programs. Definitions of these three closely interrelated attributes are:

Soil Site Stability: The capacity of the site to limit redistribution and loss of soil resources 

including nutrients and organic matter by wind and water.

Hydrologic Function: The capacity of the site to capture, store, and safely release water 

from rainfall, run-on (inflow), and snowmelt (where relevant); to resist a reduction in this 

capacity; and to recover this capacity following degradation.

Integrity of the Biotic Community: The capacity of the site to support characteristic 

functional and structural communities in the context of normal variability, to resist loss of 

this function and structure due to disturbance, and to recover following disturbance.

This technique was developed as a tool for conducting a moment-in-time qualitative assessment 

of rangeland status and as a communication and training tool for assisting land managers and 

other interested people to better understand rangeland ecological processes and their relationship 

to indicators (Pyke at. el. 2002) This method uses soil survey information, ecological site 

descriptions, and appropriate ecological reference areas to qualitatively assess rangeland health. 

As part of the assessment process, 17 indicators relating to these attributes are evaluated and the 

category descriptor or narrative that most closely describes the site is recorded. ―Optional 

Indicators‖ may also be developed to meet local needs. The critical link between observations of 

indicators and determining the degree of departure from the ecological site description and/or 

ecological reference area is part of the interpretation process.
29

This technique does not provide for just one rating of rangeland health, but based upon a 

―preponderance of evidence‖ approach, it provides the departure from the ecological site 

description/ecological reference area(s) for the three attributes: soil site stability, hydrologic 

function, and biologic integrity. There are 5 categories of departure recognized: ―none to slight‖, 

―slight to moderate,‖ ―moderate,‖ ―moderate to extreme,‖ and ―extreme.‖ 

A slight modification of the methodology was implemented so multiple assessments in each 

ecological site could be combined for analysis. A rating from 1 (none to slight) to 5 (extreme) 

was assigned to each category. For ecological sites or prescribed burn units with more than one 

sample, an average was calculated for each indicator and then summed for each landscape 

attribute. There are 10 indicators for soil site stability and hydrologic function and 9 for biotic 

integrity. The score for each landscape attribute was the sum of the indicators, minus the 

reference conditions. Reference condition was determined to be 10 for soil site stability and

hydrologic function and 9 for biotic integrity (based on a score of 1 for each indicator per 

attribute). Percent departure for each attribute was a proportion calculated by dividing the score 

by the maximum departure value; 40 for soil stability and hydrologic function and 35 for biotic 

integrity. The results are displayed graphically as a percent departure from the reference 

condition. For the narrative, the percent departure values are converted back into the associated 

qualitative categories: none to slight (<20%), slight to moderate (20-39%), moderate (40-59%), 

moderate to extreme (60-79%), and extreme (>80%).

An access database was developed for digitally storing site data, comments, and the 17 indicator 

values. A GPS point was collected at the center point of each sample site. Sample sites varied 

from 1 to 20 acres in size as noted in the database. Maps were generated for each ecological site 

sampled that show the sample site(s) and other land features.

Aquatic Assessments

Evaluation of on-site aquatic resources at JODA included an assessment of instream condition 

and water quality of the John Day River, Rock Creek, and Bridge Creek based upon benthic 

macroinvertebrate indicators (BMI). An on-site wetland condition assessment was conducted 

within JODA in 2007 (NPS 2008) and included riparian (or riverine) wetlands. As such, 

additional riparian evaluations were not conducted as part of this study. Instead, BMI sites 

evaluated as part of this study were selected to overlap with riverine wetland sites assessed as 

part of the 2007 study in an effort to identify a relationship between instream and riparian 

condition.

The condition of riparian areas often controls and dictates the quality of aquatic and wildlife 

resources that depend on these important zones of influence. Riparian habitat serves many 

functions including erosion control, aquatic shading and cooling, insect production, shoreline 

bank stabilization, and providing woody debris. Riparian areas are often the most diverse habitat 

areas within a watershed because they contain the greatest resource diversity and productivity 

(Barber 2005). Riparian areas serve as a buffer between aquatic habitats and upland activities

that potentially affect those habitats. In addition, these areas often contain wetlands where water 

is filtered, retained, and slowly released to the surface throughout the year. Maintenance of 

properly functioning riparian habitat can influence the quality and quantity of surface waters and 

the species that depend upon these habitats.
30

Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) are well suited for biomonitoring assessments within rocky

substrate stream habitats for several reasons such as (Morley 2000; Fore et al. 1996):

1. The macroinvertebrate community is extremely diverse, represented by thousands of 

different species with a variety of feeding strategies;

2. The pollution tolerance levels of macroinvertebrates range from very high to very low;

3. Sampling macroinvertebrates can be performed with relative ease with simple equipment;

4. The aquatic life spans of macroinvertebrates range from several weeks to several years, 

which provides an indication of stream quality over a period of time, not just the 

sampling window;

5. Unlike fish, macroinvertebrates are fairly limited in mobility, meaning they cannot avoid 

polluted areas. The adults lay the eggs and the benthic larvae are dependent upon the 

water quality and habitat to survive;

6. The methods for collecting, subsampling, preserving, and identifying macroinvertebrates 

are well established, facilitating comparison of data between sites;

7. Macroinvertebrates can be found in any aquatic habitat as long as the water quality is 

high enough to sustain them; and

8. Macroinvertebrate communities can recover rapidly from repeated sampling events, 

providing the ability for repeated sampling.

The primary objective in evaluating JODA instream and riparian habitat was to provide the NPS 

with a starting point for managing land use within their control. To achieve this objective, we set 

out to 1) identify existing stream and riparian wetland condition; 2) to identify the specific 

threats and stressors impacting stream and riparian wetland functions and values (e.g., wildlife 

habitat, water quality improvement, aquatic species protection, etc.); and 3) to recommend 

solutions to minimize or eliminate threats and stressors to onsite streams and riparian areas and 

associated aquatic resources.

The 2007 JODA wetland assessment (NPS 2008) utilized the California Rapid Assessment of 

Wetlands and Riparian Areas (CRAM) to assess wetland condition (NPS 2008). Wetland 

assessment biologists identified 15 riverine wetlands within the JODA Units. According to 

CRAM protocol, the wetlands were classified as riverine due to their position in the landscape 

and source of hydrology. Wetland observers defined an area within each of the 15 riverine 

wetland sites as the assessment area. For small wetlands, the assessment area included the entire 

wetland polygon. For larger wetlands, the assessment area was defined as a portion of the 

wetland polygon that was representative of habitat throughout the wetland. In all cases, the 

wetland assessment area was small enough for observers to assess its condition in two to four 

hours. After observers determined the wetland’s CRAM type and defined the assessment area, 

field staff conducted the assessment. CRAM protocol included a series of questions (metrics) in 

four general categories (attributes): buffer and landscape context, hydrology, physical structure, 

and biotic structure. Based on the field observations, each wetland was given an assessment 

score between 25 and 100 to indicate its ecological integrity. Analysis of CRAM results placed

wetlands into one of three condition classes: Desirable, Good, and Poor.
31

For the purposes of this study, the 15 CRAM riverine wetland sites assessed in 2007 were 

selected for instream benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling; however, 11 of the CRAM 

riverine wetland sites contain intermittent or seasonal surface water flows and were dry during 

our August 2008 sampling effort. As such, 4 CRAM sites containing flowing surface water (i.e., 

perennial streams) were sampled for BMI during the August 2008 assessment. One CRAM site 

was split into 3 sub-units for sampling due to its large size resulting in a total of 6 sites sampled 

for BMI.

Channel characteristics were observed and BMI samples were collected at the six JODA stream 

sites in August 2008. Based on Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 

methodology, a Surber sampler was used to collect 8 replicate BMI samples in a single, uniform 

riffle habitat unit at each site. A Surber sampler was selected to collect BMI because it allows 

sampling a uniform 1-square-foot (144 square inch) area. Sampling began in the downstream 

portion of the riffle and proceeded upstream for the eight replicates. At each replicate sampling 

location the following methodology was used:

1. Place Surber sampler on the selected sampling spot with the opening of the nylon net 

facing upstream. Brace the frame and hold it firmly on the creek bottom.

2. Lift the larger rocks resting within the frame and brush off crawling or loosely attached 

organisms so that they drift into the net.

3. Once the larger rocks are removed, disturb the substrate vigorously with a trowel or small 

rake for 60 seconds. This disturbance should extend to a depth of about 10 cm to loosen 

organisms in the interstitial spaces, washing them into the net.

4. Lift Surber out of the water. Tilt the net up and out of the water while keeping the open 

end upstream. This helps to wash the organisms into the receptacle.

5. On the creek bank, empty contents of Surber into large bucket. Rinse Surber and empty 

into bucket until all organisms are removed. Great care should be taken in this step to 

collect and preserve all organisms from the Surber sampler as well as from the rocks and 

water in the bucket. Use of a magnifying glass and tweezers is essential. Rinse bucket 

through sieve to remove water from sample. Pick out large debris (sticks and leaves) after 

carefully removing any invertebrates.

6. Use spatula to move sample from sieve into a plastic vial. Fill vial to the top with 

isopropyl alcohol. Put label on inside of vial with name of sampler, date, and location.

Write location and date on top of vial lid.

7. Return to the location of the first sample; walk upstream and collect another sample of 

invertebrates. Repeat this process for a total of eight replicate samples from each site. The 

eight replicates are combined into one composite sample for shipment to the laboratory 

for analysis.

All BMI samples were shipped to ABR, Incorporated in Forest Grove, Oregon for sorting, 

identification, and analysis. Each sample was processed using standard laboratory sample 

handling and labeling protocols. A Caton gridded tray was used to subsample 500 organisms 

from original samples. Using this subsampling procedure, each sample was evenly distributed 
32

across a 30-square wire-mesh tray. Individual squares were randomly selected and the contents 

removed and placed into a Petri dish. Macroinvertebrates were removed from the sample 

material under a dissecting microscope. This process was repeated until 525-550 organisms were 

subsampled. The remainder of the sample (the unsorted fraction) was then inspected for large or 

rare taxa that were not encountered during the subsampling procedure; these large/rare taxa were 

recorded on the laboratory bench sheet as such and placed in a separate vial. The following 

products resulted from the sample sorting procedure:

1. 525-550 macroinvertebrates sorted into a series (4-7) of small vials by order, class, and/or 

phylum.

2. A separate vial containing organisms found during the large/rare search (if performed).

3. Sorted residue – material from which the 525-550 organisms were sorted.

4. Unsorted fraction – portion of the original sample that was not sorted.

Macroinvertebrate identification also followed standard protocols. Macroinvertebrates were 

identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level, generally genus or species for most taxonomic 

groups except mites, Oligochaetes, microcrustaceans, and Chironomidae.

All raw data were entered into Excel spreadsheets and were crosschecked against paper copies of 

the data for errors and omissions before the data were analyzed. Data were analyzed with a 

multimetric index known as the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity or B-IBI. The B-IBI utilizes 

information concerning the abundance and composition of a stream’s benthic macroinvertebrate 

community to assess the overall biological integrity of the stream ecosystem. As such, 

―biological integrity‖ is defined as ―the ability to support and maintain a balanced, integrated, 

adaptive community of organisms having a species composition, diversity and functional 

organization comparable to that of natural habitat of the region‖ (Karr and Dudley 1981). In 

practice, the B-IBI provides quantitative scores for 10 metrics that describe individual key 

attributes of the benthic macroinvertebrate community. Scores for the 10 metrics are summed 

and the cumulative site score is categorized into a level of impairment based on a pre-determined 

scale.

Since macroinvertebrate communities differ from region to region, multimetric indexes have 

been developed and calibrated for use within particular regions or states. JODA BMI data were 

analyzed using an Eastern Oregon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) developed for 

northeastern Oregon. Multimetric indexes have been developed for both eastern and western 

Oregon. The eastern Oregon index was developed from data collected in the Grande Ronde 

basin, northeast Oregon (Hubler 2006). While this index was used to analyze the data in JODA 

streams, the results should be interpreted with caution due to index calibration occurring outside 

of the John Day basin. Categorical scales established for the eastern Oregon IBI are detailed in 

Table 8.

Table 8. Eastern Oregon Index of Biotic Integrity

(IBI) Impairment Categories.

Rating

Index Score 

Range

No Impairment >41

Moderate Impairment 35-41

High Impairment 27-34

Severe Impairment <27
33

One of the metrics used in the Oregon IBI as a basis for instream condition was the Hilsenhoff 

Biotic Index (HBI), which is a general biotic index used to identify a relationship between 

macroinvertebrates and instream water quality. The HBI was first developed in 1977 to assess 

low dissolved oxygen concentrations related to organic pollutant loading (1998). The HBI was 

improved in 1987 and modified further in 1998 to allow assessment of conditions throughout the 

year. Categorical scales established for water quality and degree of organic pollution based on 

the HBI are identified in Table 9.

Table 9. Water quality classifications for the modified Hilsenhoff 

Biotic Index (HBI).

Index Value Water Quality Degree of Organic Pollution

0.00-3.50 Excellent No apparent organic pollution

3.51-4.50 Very Good Slight organic pollution

4.51-5.50 Good Some organic pollution

5.51-6.50 Fair Fairly significant organic pollution

6.51-7.50 Fairly Poor Significant organic pollution

7.51-8.50 Poor Very significant organic pollution

Data from the six JODA samples were also analyzed using the Western Cordillera and Columbia 

Plateau (WCCP) predictive model to provide a more confident determination of benthic 

community condition at each sample location. Predictive models determine biological condition 

by comparing the list of taxa occurring at a site of interest to a list of taxa predicted to occur at 

that site in the absence of disturbance (Hubler 2008). This observed-to-expected comparison 

results in an ―O/E‖ score that ranges from 0 to greater than one. Scores lower than 1 indicate that 

not all taxa predicted to occur at a site were actually sampled. The further the score deviates 

towards 0 from 1, the higher the level of disturbance to the benthic community at that site.

Oregon DEQ has developed biological condition class thresholds based on the deviation of 

individual test site O/E scores relative to the distribution of reference site scores (Hubler 2008).

Fire

The Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units have similar vegetation. Fire regimes for 

sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass communities vary from 40 to over 200 years on very dry sites 

(Bunting et al. 2002, Kitchen and McArthur 2007). Until 1994 all three Units had experienced 

fire exclusion over the last 100 years. The Clarno Unit experienced 3 wildfires in 1994 and 1995. 

Prescribed fires were implemented within the Painted Hills and Sheep Rock Units in an attempt 

to return fire as a natural process, maintain historic/cultural scenes, and to reduce fuel loads

(McAdams, 1999). 

To analyze the condition of vegetation outside the park Units we utilized LANDFIRE 

(Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning) tools. LANDFIRE is a multi partner 

project producing consistent and comprehensive maps and data describing vegetation, wildland 

fuel, and fire regimes across the United States. It is a shared project between multiple agencies 

that produces data products for vegetation composition and structure, surface and canopy fuel 

characteristics, and historical fire regimes. The methodologies are science based and include 

extensive field referenced data. 
34

The LANDFIRE Project produces maps of simulated historical fire regimes and vegetation 

conditions using the LANDSUM landscape succession and disturbance dynamics model. Several 

LANDFIRE data layers were used to summarize various fire related characteristics for the JODA 

Unit project areas. LANDFIRE data sets are available by zones across the United States. The 

specific zone was acquired for each NRCA area. Surrounding 6th level hydrologic boundaries 

were used as an analysis area in each park for clipping raster data from the specified zone. Where 

more than one LANDFIRE zone was present within an analysis area, each zone was clipped then 

merged to create the data set for that analysis area. Tables summarizing key characteristics such 

as area and percentages were developed for each LANDFIRE data layer analyzed. 

LANDFIRE data is a coarse scale depiction product intended for state and regional applications, 

however it is utilized here as a starting point or first pass estimate for general determination of 

conditions. Finer scale determinations should be derived locally using methodology described in 

the Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) Guidebook (Hann et al. 2004). The resulting products 

can then be appropriately applied to local Units for purposes such as fire management planning, 

land use planning, and other landscape analyses. Generally, FRCC derived locally using the 

guidebook process describes ecological departure at finer scales (LANDFIRE 2007).

FRCC is a widely accepted measure of change to key ecosystem components such as vegetation, 

fuels, fire frequency, and disturbance. In order to estimate FRCC, a determination of reference or 

historical natural landscape conditions are needed for comparison. LANDFIRE has attempted 

this by producing simulated data layers of historical conditions and the departures from current 

condition to produce condition class characteristics. These data layers include Bio Physical 

Setting (reference vegetation), Fire Regime Group (Historic Fire Regime), FRCC Departure, and 

Fire Regime Condition Class (departure from historic conditions). Each Unit is analyzed 

separately using the key LANDFIRE data layers related to FRCC and summarized by data layer 

along with other useful fire related data produced by LANDFIRE. 

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds of importance to JODA were identified in Garrett et al. 2007. A complete list of 

Oregons’s noxious weeds can be found at 

http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/statelist2.shtml#A_List . They are classified into 

2 categories based on control requirements; Class A (eradicate or contain) and Class B (control) 

(Oregon Department of Agriculture 2009). GIS data on noxious weeds was acquired from past 

investigations and placed in the JODA geodatabase under stressors. State and county level 

databases were searched for noxious weed locations and local county weed superintendents were 

contacted for unpublished data; however GIS data was not available from these sources. The 

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has a weed mapping website, www.weedmapper.org, 

for logging new locations and displaying existing locations of a specific weed species within the 

state or county. 
35

Upland Assessment Results

GIS and Geodatabase

The JODA Geodatabase were populated with 38 shapefiles and images (Appendix A). These are 

all accessible from the ArcGIS Map Project file located on the DVD included with this report. 

Additional copies are available from the Upper Columbia Basin Network’s website 

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ucbn/reports/. 

Unit Specific Assessments

Unit specific assessments were made in the 3 park Units identified in the methods section.

Seventeen ecological sites were identified and assessed. The following is an evaluation of each 

ecological site with maps of sample points and soils, which are the basis for the ratings of the 3 

landscape attributes. All data collected at the 24 sample points were digitized into a Microsoft 

Access database and a shapefile was generated from GPS locations. The database is included 

with the enclosed DVD and the shapefile is located in the 3 JODA Geodatabases under the 

Geography category called nrca_plots.shp. Appendix B includes a table with all indicator ratings 

by plot. Appendix C is a species list with canopy cover by plot. Conclusions and 

recommendations that apply to all the sites sampled are discussed in the Summary and 

Recommendations section of this report. 
36

Sheep Rock Unit

JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material. The soils 

are loams over a gravelly loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies from 18‖ to >60‖ and is 

considered well drained. Two plots were sampled in the JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site (R101XB053OR) in the Sheep Rock Unit. The plots were located near the John Day River in 

the middle of the Unit (Figure 16). The soil stability and hydrologic function attributes were

rated as none-slight departure, 4% and 9%, respectively. The biotic integrity attribute was rated 

as moderate departure (46%) due to the presence of invasive plants, increased litter, and 

hampered reproductive capability of the native perennial grasses (Figure 17).

Both plots are in Haystack soils formed on alluvial fans from colluvium material. The historic 

climax plant community is big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata)/Thurber 

needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum)-basin wildrye. 

Plot 1 is within the Rock Creek prescribed burn (9/5/2004) and plot 18 is within the Picture 

Gorge prescribed burn (10/2/2001). Both plots exhibit similar landscape attribute departure 

values even though they had been treated by fire 3 years apart. The current vegetation is 

dominated by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) with shrubs 

broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) 

scattered within the sample plot. The dominance of these species along with the noxious weeds, 

field bindweed and Dalmatian toadflax, accounted for the moderate departure in the biotic 

integrity attribute. No western junipers were noted around the plots. The relatively poor biotic 

integrity could be due to over-grazing by livestock in the past and prescribed fire would have 

improved conditions for annual grasses and green rabbitbrush over perennial grasses and 

sagebrush (Pellant 1996). Both plots were in good condition for soil stability and hydrologic 

function. 
37

Figure 16. Map of ecological site sample plots 1 and 18 in the Sheep 

Rock Unit, JODA.

Figure 17. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Sheep 

Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 18).
38

JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from weathered tuffaceous sediments. The 

soils are ashy loams over a clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies from 18‖ to 60‖ and is 

considered well drained. Two plots were sampled in the JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site (R010XB064OR) in the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 6 was located on the east side of Blue Basin

and plot 25 was in the southeast portion of the Unit (Figure 18). All 3 landscape attributes; soil 

stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity were rated as none-slight departure; 1.3%, 

6.3%, and 15.7%, respectively (Figure 19).

Both plots are on Simas soils formed on south-facing slopes from loess and colluvium material. 

The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is predicted to be bluebunch 

wheatgrass-Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) with a minor overstory of basin big sagebrush

(<10%). Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, big sagebrush, and 

cheatgrass.

Plot 6 was within the Middle Mountain prescribed burn (9/24/2002) and plot 25 was in the 

Picture Gorge prescribed burn (10/2/2001). Plot 25 had none-slight departure in all landscape 

attributes (0%, 2.5%, and 5.7%) with a healthy stand of bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue.

However western juniper were invading with >10% cover. Plot 6 had a slight-moderate departure 

in the biotic integrity attributes (25.7%) due to the increase in cheatgrass and western juniper. 

Big sagebrush was a minor component in both plots. Both sites are in good condition but seem to 

be trending away from reference condition with the presence of cheatgrass and western juniper. 

All sites were in good condition for soil stability and hydrologic function. 
39

Figure 18. Map of ecological site sample plots 6 and 25 in the Sheep 

Rock Unit, JODA.

Figure 19. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 6).
40

JD Loamy, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material with basaltic 

origin. The soils are stony loam to loam over a loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 16‖ to 62‖ and is considered well drained. Three plots were sampled in the JD Loamy, 9-12 

PZ ecological site (R010XB034OR) in the Sheep Rock Unit. There are 4 plots recorded for this 

site; 3 located south of Blue Basin and one located south of the Mascall Formation Overlook

(Figure 20). The soil stability and hydrologic function landscape attributes were rated as noneslight departure, 2.5% and 6.3%, respectively. The biotic integrity attribute was rated as 

moderate departure (29.3%) due to the presence of invasive plants and hampered reproductive 

capability of the native perennial grasses (Figure 21).

The plots south of Blue Basin (13, 14, and 15) were in a Twickenham loam soil formed on southfacing slopes and ridges from clayey colluvium material. The plot south of the Mascall 

Formation Overlook (4) is a Buffaran stony loam formed from alluvium of mixed sources on fan 

remnants. The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is big 

sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass–Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda). Disturbed vegetation types 

will see an increase in western juniper, cheatgrass, and medusahead (Taeniatherum caputmedusae). 

Plots 13, 14, and 15 were all within the Windy Point prescribed burn (9/7/1999). Individual plot 

landscape attribute values varied considerably within the burn. Plot 15 was representative of a 

relatively good condition site based on the landscape attribute departure ratings (0%, 0%, and 

14.3%, respectively). The site was dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass, 

with <10% big sagebrush, which had some evidence of being burned. Plot 13 showed more signs 

of departure in biotic integrity attribute (20%) due to presence of western juniper and cheatgrass. 

Plot 14 was the most disturbed with a moderate departure in biotic integrity (48.6%) and 

cheatgrass and medusahead were the dominant grasses. Western juniper was not present in plot

14. Plot 4 had a slight-moderate biotic integrity rating (34.3%) and was dominated by big 

sagebrush, broom snakeweed, and cheatgrass. There was no evidence of fire but it has been 

grazed heavily in the past. All sites were in good condition for soil stability and hydrologic 

function. 
41

Figure 20. Map of ecological site sample plots 4, 13, 14, and 15 in the 

Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.

Figure 21. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD Loamy, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 13).
42

JD North, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material from an 

acidic tuff origin. The soils are gravelly loams over clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 18‖ to 62‖ and is considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD North, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site (R010XB063OR) in the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 16 was located west of the 

Thomas Condon Paleontology Center (Figure 22). The soil stability and hydrologic function 

landscape attributes were rated as none-slight departure, 0% and 5.0%, respectively. The biotic 

integrity attribute was rated as slight-moderate departure (31.4%) (Figure 23).

The plot is in a Gooserock complex soil formed on north-facing slopes from loess and colluvium 

material. The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is Idaho fescuebluebunch wheatgrass with a minor overstory of basin big sagebrush (<3%). Disturbed 

vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, big sagebrush, and cheatgrass.

Plot 16 is in the Rock Creek prescribed burn (9/5/2004). The plot had a slight-moderate 

departure in the biotic integrity attributes due to the dominance of big sagebrush and an 

understory dominated by cheatgrass. Western juniper was present but considered a minor 

component of the community. The site was in good condition for soil stability and hydrologic 

function. No noxious weeds were identified in the site. 
43

Figure 22. Map of ecological site sample plot 16 in the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA.

Figure 23. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD North, 9-12 PZ ecological site, 

Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 16).
44

JD Droughty Clayey North, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material from an 

acidic tuff origin. The soils are gravelly loams over clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 18‖ to 62‖ and is considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Droughty 

Clayey North, 9-12 PZ ecological site (R010XB065OR) in the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 17 was 

located west of State Route 19 and south of the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center (Figure 

24). All 3 landscape attributes; soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity; were rated 

as none-slight departure; 0%, 5.0%, and 17.1%, respectively (Figure 24).

The plot is in a Gooserock complex soil formed on north-facing slopes from loess and colluvium

material. The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is shadscale saltbush 

(Atriplex confertifolia)/bluebunch wheatgrass. Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in 

western juniper, big sagebrush, and cheatgrass.

Plot 17 is in the Rock Creek prescribed burn (9/5/2004). The plot had a none-slight departure in 

the biotic integrity attributes. The climax community based on soil type is bluebunch wheatgrass 

with a minor shadscale saltbush component. The site responded well to the prescribed burn but 

cheatgrass was a sub-dominant (10-40%) in the understory. Western juniper was not present and 

there was evidence of burned big sagebrush. No seedlings were observed in the plot. The site 

was in good condition for soil stability and hydrologic function. No noxious weeds were 

identified in the plot. The plot was located on the upper third of a relatively steep north-facing 

slope. Historic grazing most likely had a minor impact on the vegetation and the site was 

probably in good condition prior to the prescribed fire 
45

Figure 24. Map of ecological site sample plot 17 in the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA.

Figure 25. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Droughty Clayey North, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 17).
46

JD Shallow North, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material with a basalt

origin. The soils are stony loams over a gravelly clay loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth 

varies from 5‖ to 19‖ and is considered well drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Shallow 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site (R010XB035OR) in the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 7 was located east 

of Route 19 and west of Blue Basin (Figure 26). The soil stability and hydrologic function 

landscape attributes were rated as none-slight departure, 10.0% and 17.5%, respectively. The 

biotic integrity attribute was rated as moderate departure (48.6%) (Figure 27).

The plot is in a Lickskillet soil formed from stony colluvium material made up of loess, rock 

fragments, and weathered basalt. The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is 

bluebunch wheatgrass-Idaho fescue-Sandberg bluegrass with a minor overstory of big sagebrush 

and rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) (<2%). Disturbed vegetation types will see an 

increase in western juniper, Sandberg bluegrass, and cheatgrass.

Plot 7 is in the Middle Mountain prescribed burn (9/24/2002). The plot had a moderate departure 

in the biotic integrity attribute and reflects a site that responded poorly to the prescribed burn.

Cheatgrass is the dominant (>40%) species with bulbous bluegrass as a subdominant (10-40%).

Western juniper was not present and there was evidence of burned big sagebrush. No seedlings 

were observed in the plot. No noxious weeds were identified in the plot. The site was on a flat 

north-facing terrace approximately 0.1 mile from the John Day River. The site was probably 

heavily grazed by livestock historically and was in poor vegetative condition prior to 

management by the park. The prescribed fire would have reduced the potential biotic integrity 

from pre-burn conditions by improving conditions for annual grasses over perennial grasses and 

sagebrush (Pellant 1996). The site was in good condition for soil stability and hydrologic 

function. 
47

Figure 26. Map of ecological site sample plot 7 in the Sheep Rock Unit, 

JODA.

Figure 27. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD Shallow North, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site, Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 7).
48

JD Loamy, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material with basaltic 

origin. The soils are stony loam to loam over a loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 16‖ to 62‖ and is considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Loamy, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site (R010XB034OR) in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 2 was located 

north of the parking lot for the Flood of Fire trail (Figure 28). The soil stability and hydrologic 

function landscape attributes were rated as slight-moderate departure, 20.0% and 37.5%, 

respectively. The biotic integrity attribute was rated as moderate departure (40.0%) (Figure 29).

The plot is in a Buffaran stony loam formed from alluvium of mixed sources of fan remnants. 

The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is big sagebrush/bluebunch 

wheatgrass-Sandberg bluegrass. Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western 

juniper, big sagebrush, and cheatgrass.

Plot 2 is in the Branson North prescribed burn (9/14/2007). The plot had a moderate departure in 

the biotic integrity attributes and reflects a site that responded somewhat poorly to the prescribed 

burn. Cheatgrass is the co-dominant (10-40%) species with Sandberg bluegrass (10-40%). 

Bluebunch wheatgrass and Thurber’s needlegrass resprouted in areas where the fire intensity was 

low, but not near burned western juniper or big sagebrush. Western juniper and big sagebrush 

were not present. No seedlings were observed in the plot. The site was on a gently sloping westfacing hillside approximately 0.4 mile from the John Day River. The site was probably grazed by 

livestock historically and was not in climax condition prior to management by the park. The 

prescribed fire would have reduced the potential biotic integrity from pre-burn conditions by 

improving conditions for annual grasses over perennial grasses and sagebrush (Pellant 1996). 

The recent burn impacted soil stability and hydrologic function probably due to the increased 

intensity around burned junipers and sagebrush but this condition should improve in 1-3 years. 

No noxious weeds were identified in the plot. 
49

Figure 28. Map of ecological site sample plot 2 in the Foree portion of the 

Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.

Figure 29. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Loamy, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Foree portion 

of the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 2).
50

JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material. The soils 

are loams over a gravelly loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies from 18‖ to >60‖ and is 

considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site 

(R101XB053OR) in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 3 was located south of the 

parking lot for the Story in Stone trail (Figure 30). The soil stability and hydrologic function 

landscape attributes were rated as none-slight departure, 2.5% and 10.0%, respectively. The 

biotic integrity attribute was rated as moderate departure (54.3%) (Figure 31).

The plot is in Haystack soil formed on alluvial fans from colluvium material. The historic climax 

plant community based on ecological site is big sagebrush/Thurber’s needlegrass-basin wildrye. 

Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, bulbous bluegrass, and 

cheatgrass.

Plot 3 is in the Branson South prescribed burn (9/1/2005). The plot had a moderate departure in 

the biotic integrity attribute and reflects a site that responded poorly to the prescribed burn. 

Cheatgrass is the dominant (>40%) species with Sandberg bluegrass as a minor species (2-10%). 

No other perennial grass species were noted in the plot. Western juniper and big sagebrush were

not present. No seedlings were observed in the plot. No noxious weeds were identified in the 

plot. The site was on a gently sloping west-facing bench located at mid-slope. The site was 

probably grazed by livestock historically and was not in climax condition prior to management 

by the park. The prescribed fire would have reduced the potential biotic integrity from pre-burn 

conditions by improving conditions for annual grasses over perennial grasses and sagebrush 

(Pellant 1996). The soil stability and hydrologic function were in good condition and had 

recovered from the burn. 
51

Figure 30. Map of ecological site sample plot 3 in the Foree portion of the 

Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.

Figure 31. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Foree 

portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 3).
52

JD Droughty Clayey South, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium and loess parent material. 

The soils are cobbly clay loams over clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies from 9‖ to 60‖ 

and is considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Droughty Clayey South, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site (R101XB043OR) in the Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit. Plot 5 was located 

southeast of the parking lot for the Story in Stone trail (Figure 32). The soil stability and 

hydrologic function landscape attributes were rated as none-slight departure, 5.0% and 12.5%, 

respectively. The biotic integrity attribute was rated as slight-moderate departure (28.6%) 

(Figure 33).

The plot is in a Brisbois soil formed on basaltic colluvium and loess material. The historic 

climax plant community based on ecological site is shadscale saltbush/bluebunch wheatgrass. 

Big sagebrush, shadscale saltbush, and purple sage (Salvia dorrii) can be a minor overstory 

(<2%). Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, basin big sagebrush, 

broom snakeweed, and cheatgrass.

Plot 5 is in the Branson South prescribed burn (9/1/2005). The plot had a slight-moderate 

departure in the biotic integrity attribute and reflects a site that responded fairly well to the 

prescribed burn. Bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass are the dominant (>40%) species 

with cheatgrass as a subdominant species (10-40%). No other perennial grass species were noted 

in the plot. Western juniper and big sagebrush were not present, but burned remnants were 

present. No seedlings were observed in the plot. No noxious weeds were identified in the plot. 

The site was on a moderate northwest-facing hillside over 0.7 mile from the John Day River. The 

site was probably lightly grazed by livestock historically and was near climax condition prior to 

management by the park. The prescribed fire probably did not reduce the potential biotic 

integrity from pre-burn conditions but it may improve conditions for annual grasses over 

perennial grasses and sagebrush (Pellant 1996). The soil stability and hydrologic function were 

in good condition and had recovered from the burn. 
53

Figure 32. Map of ecological site sample plot 5 in the Foree portion of the 

Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.

Figure 33. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Droughty Clayey South, 9-12 PZ ecological site, 

Foree portion of the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA (background is plot 5).
54

Painted Hills Unit

JD Clayey, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium and loess parent material. 

The soils are stony clay loam over a cobbly clay loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 30‖ to 60‖ and is considered moderately well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD 

Clayey, 9-12 PZ ecological site (R101XB022OR) in the Painted Hills Unit. Plot 8 was located in 

the northwest portion of the unit (Figure 33). The soil stability and hydrologic function landscape 

attributes were rated as none-slight departure, 0% and 5.0%, respectively. The biotic integrity 

attribute was rated as slight-moderate departure (34.3%) (Figure 34).

The plot is in a Simas-Day soil formed on colluvium and loess material. The historic climax 

plant community based on ecological site is big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass-Thurber 

needlegrass. Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, basin big 

sagebrush, green rabbitbrush, and cheatgrass.

Plot 8 was not within a prescribed burn unit during the past 10 years. The plot had a slightmoderate departure in the biotic integrity attribute due to the dominance of cheatgrass and 

medusahead in the understory (>40%). Wyoming big sagebrush and shadscale saltbush are the 

dominate shrub species (10-40%) with minor amounts (2-10%) of perennial grass species, 

mainly Sandberg bluegrass. Western juniper was not present. Past use of the site for livestock 

grazing may explain the dominance of annual exotic grasses, but the area seems to be improving 

and the soil stability and hydrologic function were in good condition. Medusahead was the only

noxious weed identified in the plot. 
55

Figure 34. Map of ecological site sample plot 8 in the Painted Hills Unit, 

JODA.

Figure 35. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Clayey, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Painted Hills 

Unit, JODA (background is plot 8).
56

JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material from an 

acidic tuff origin. The soils are ashy loams over a clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 18‖ to 60‖ and is considered well-drained. Two plots were sampled in the JD Droughty 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site (R101XB064OR) in the Painted Hills Unit. Plot 9 was located in 

the northwest portion of the unit and plot 11 was in the southwest portion of the Unit (Figure 36). 

All 3 landscape attributes; soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity; were rated as 

none-slight departure, 0%, 1.3%, and 10.0%, respectively. The biotic integrity attribute was rated 

as slight-moderate departure (34.3%) (Figure 37).

The plot is in a Simas soil formed on colluvium and loess material. The historic climax plant 

community based on ecological site is bluebunch wheatgrass-Idaho fescue with basin big 

sagebrush occurring as a minor overstory component (<3%). Disturbed vegetation types will see 

an increase in western juniper, basin big sagebrush, green rabbitbrush, and cheatgrass.

Plot 9 was not within a prescribed burn unit during the past 10 years but plot 11 was in the Sand 

Mountain prescribed burn (9/20/2002). Both plots were in good condition with none-slight 

departure and were dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass with cheatgrass and medusahead as a 

minor component (2-10%) of the community. Wyoming big sagebrush was a moderate 

component (10-40%) of plot 9, but was not present in plot 11. Dead burned western junipers

were present outside plot 11. In both areas it was noted that there were patches dominated by 

cheatgrass but it was not the dominant community. Medusahead was the only noxious weed

identified in plot 11. 
57

Figure 36. Map of ecological site sample plots 9 and 11 in the Painted 

Hills Unit, JODA.

Figure 37. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site, Painted Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 11).
58

JD, Sandy Loam, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium that originated from basalt 

parent material. The soils are sandy loams with a fine sandy loam subsurface. Soil depth varies 

from 62‖ to 72‖ and is considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Sandy Loam

Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological site (R101XB025OR) in the Painted Hills Unit. Plot 10 was located in 

the southwest portion of the unit (Figure 38). The soil stability and hydrologic function 

landscape attributes were rated as none-slight departure, 2.5% and 10.0%, respectively. The 

biotic integrity attribute was rated as slight-moderate departure (31.4%) (Figure 39).

The plot is in a Drewsey soil formed on gentle slopes (2-8%). The historic climax plant 

community based on ecological site is needle and thread grass (Hesperostipa comata)-basin 

wildrye-sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) with big sagebrush occuring as a minor 

overstory component (<2%). Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, 

broom snakeweed, rubber rabbitbrush, and cheatgrass.

Plot 10 was in the Sand Mountain prescribed burn (9/20/2002). The plot had a slight-moderate 

departure in the biotic integrity attribute due to the dominance of cheatgrass and medusahead in 

the understory (>40%). Native grasses, bluebunch wheatgrass and Thurber’s needlegrass, 

composed minor amounts (2-10%) of the community. There were trace amounts (<2%) of

shadscale saltbush and western juniper. Burned western juniper was present in the plot. 

Medusahead was the only noxious weed identified in the plot. There were patches of unburned 

areas that were dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass. 
59

Figure 38. Map of ecological site sample plot 10 in the Painted Hills 

Unit, JODA.

Figure 39. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Sandy Loam, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Painted 

Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 10).
60

JD, Sodic Bottom, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from fine textured, interbedded sediments. 

The soils are silty clay loam with a silt loam subsurface. Soil depth varies from 40‖ to 60‖ and is 

considered well-drained. One plot was sampled in the JD Sandy Loam Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site (R101XY007OR) in the Painted Hills Unit. Plot 12 was located in the southwest portion of 

the unit (Figure 40). The soil stability and hydrologic function landscape attributes were rated as 

none-slight departure, 0% and 7.5%, respectively. The biotic integrity attribute was rated as 

slight-moderate departure (40.0%) (Figure 41).

The plot is in a Beeman soil that has formed in a flood plain or alluvial fan. The historic climax 

plant community based on ecological site is greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)/basin 

wildrye (Leymus cinereus)-saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) with big sagebrush occuring as a minor 

sub-dominant (<2%). Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in green rabbitbrush, 

horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens), and cheatgrass.

Plot 12 was in the Sand Mountain prescribed burn (9/20/2002). The plot had a moderate 

departure in the biotic integrity attribute due to the dominance (>40%) of a non-native grass, tall 

wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum), with a minor component of cheatgrass (2-10%). Basin 

wildrye, basin big sagebrush, and greasewood occurred in trace amounts in the plot (<2%). 

Medusahead, hoarycress (Cardaria draba) , Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), and burning 

bush (Kochia scoparia) occurred in minor amounts (2-10%) in the plot. This area seems to have 

been reseeded to tall wheatgrass in the past, but this treatment has not eliminated competition 

from non-native grasses and noxious weeds.
61

Figure 40. Map of ecological site sample plot 12 in the Painted Hills 

Unit, JODA.

Figure 41. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Sodic Bottom, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Painted 

Hills Unit, JODA (background is plot 12).
62

Clarno Unit

JD Droughty South, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from clay colluvium formed from 

tuffaceous sediments. The soils are loams over a clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies up 

to 60‖ and is considered well-drained. Two plots were sampled in the JD Droughty South, 9-12 

PZ ecological site (R101XB044OR) in the Clarno Unit. Plot 19 was located in the southwest 

portion of the unit and plot 23 was in the southeast portion of the Unit (Figure 42). All 3 

landscape attributes; soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity were rated as noneslight departure, 1.3%, 3.8%, and 17.1%, respectively (Figure 43).

These plots are in a Twickenham loam soil formed on south-facing slopes and ridges from 

clayey colluvium material. The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is 

Thurber needlegrass-bluebunch wheatgrass with a minor overstory of basin big sagebrush (<2%). 

Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, broom snakeweed, cheatgrass, 

and medusahead.

Plots 19 and 23 were burned by a wildfire in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Individually, plot 19

was in good condition with none-slight departure for biotic integrity (5.7%) and was dominated 

by Thurber needlegrass and bluebunch wheatgrass with cheatgrass and medusahead making up a 

minor component (2-10%) of the community. Plot 23 was in poorer condition than plot 19 with a

biotic integrity departure of 28.6%. Cheatgrass and medusahead were the dominant species 

(>40%) with Thurber needlegrass and bluebunch wheatgrass occurring in smaller amounts (10-

40%). Basin big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) were also a moderate 

component (2-10%) of plot 23, but was not present in plot 19. Western junipers occurred in trace 

amounts (<2%) in both plots. Medusahead was the only noxious weed identified in both plots. 
63

Figure 43. Departure from reference condition of the 3 landscape 

attributes in the JD Droughty South, 9-12 PZ ecological site, Clarno 

Unit, JODA (background is plot 23).

Figure 42. Map of ecological site sample plots 19 and 23 in the Clarno 

Unit, JODA.
64

JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from colluvium parent material. The soils 

are loams over a gravelly loam dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies from 18‖ to >60‖ and is 

considered well-drained. Two plots were sampled in the JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ ecological 

site (R101XB053OR) in the Clarno Unit. Plot 20 was located in the south central portion of the 

unit just north of Oregon Highway 218 and plot 22 was in the southeast portion of the Unit 

(Figure 44). The soil stability and hydrologic function landscape attributes were rated none-slight

departure, 1.3% and 7.5%, respectively. The biotic integrity was rated as slight-moderate

departure (28.6%) (Figure 45).

These plots are in a Sorefoot soil formed on alluvial fans from clayey alluvium material

weathered from tuffaceous sediments in the John Day and Clarno formations. The historic 

climax plant community based on ecological site is big sagebrush/Thurber needlegrass-basin 

wildrye. Disturbed vegetation types will see an increase in western juniper, broom snakeweed, 

cheatgrass, and medusahead.

Plots 20 and 22 were burned by a wildfire in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Individually, plot 20

was in poor condition with moderate departure for biotic integrity (40.0%) and was dominated 

by medusahead and cheatgrass with native Thurber needlegrass and Sandberg bluegrass making 

up a minor component (2-10%) of the community. Plot 22 was in better condition than plot 20

with a biotic integrity departure of 17.1%. Thurber needlegrass and bluebunch wheatgrass were 

the dominant species (>40%) with cheatgrass occurring in smaller amounts (10-40%). Basin big 

sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) were also a moderate component (10-

40%) of plot 22 but were not present in plot 20. Western junipers occurred in trace amounts 

(<2%) in both plots. Medusahead and Russian knapweed were the only noxious weeds identified

and both were in plot 20. 
65

Figure 44. Map of ecological site sample plots 20 and 22 in the Clarno 

Unit, JODA.

Figure 45. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD Droughty Fan, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site, Clarno Unit, JODA (background is plot 20).
66

JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ Ecological Site:

This ecological site is dominated by soils developed from clay colluvium formed from 

tuffaceous sediments. The soils are loams over a clay dominated subsurface. Soil depth varies up 

to a depth of 60‖ and is considered well-drained. Two plots were sampled in the JD Droughty 

North, 9-12 PZ ecological site (R101XB064OR) in the Clarno Unit. Plot 21 was located in the 

south central portion of the unit and plot 24 was in the southeast portion (Figure 42). All 3 

landscape attributes; soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity; were rated as noneslight departure, 1.3%, 6.3%, and 22.9%, respectively (Figure 43).

These plots are in a Simas soil formed on south-facing slopes and ridges from clayey colluvium 

material. The historic climax plant community based on ecological site is bluebunch wheatgrassIdaho fescue with a minor overstory of basin big sagebrush (<2%). Disturbed vegetation types 

will see an increase in western juniper, broom snakeweed, cheatgrass, and medusahead.

Both plot 21and 24 were burned in a wildfire in 1994. Individually, plot 21 was in very good 

condition with none-slight departure for biotic integrity (2.9%) and was dominated by Idaho 

fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass with cheatgrass and medusahead making up a trace amount 

(<2%) of the community. Plot 24 was in poorer condition with a biotic integrity departure of 

42.9%. Cheatgrass and medusahead were the dominant species (>40%) with small patches of

bluebunch wheatgrass occurring in minor amounts (2-10%). The only shrub was a trace amount 

(<2%) of horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens). Live western juniper did not occur in either plot,

but some burned remnants were found in plot 21. Medusahead was the only noxious weed 

identified in plot 24. 
67

Figure 46. Map of ecological site sample plots 21 and 24 in the Clarno 

Unit, JODA.

Figure 47. Departure from reference condition of the 3 

landscape attributes in the JD Droughty North, 9-12 PZ 

ecological site, Clarno Unit, JODA (background is plot 24).
68

Summary of All Upland Sites

Table 10 is a summary of the departure values by plot for each landscape attribute along with site 

physiographic information such as slope, aspect, and elevation. All but 1 plot had a soil stability 

attribute rating of none-slight departure from reference condition. The hydrologic function

attribute also only had 1 plot above the none-slight departure rating. Both attributes indicate the 

park land is in good condition, functioning properly and not contributing to soil erosion and 

water quality degradation. Rodhouse (2009) also found soil/site stability in good condition from 

data collected to monitor sagebrush-steppe vegetation. JODA lands make up a minority of the 

watersheds and non-park lands could not be assessed similar to those in the park. Based on 

current soil stability and hydrologic function ratings under current park management these 2 

processes should remain stable into the future.

The biotic integrity attribute indicated many areas are not in good condition. Only 5 sites were 

rated in the none-slight departure category (<21%), 9 fell into the slight-moderate category 

(21%-40%), and 11 in the moderate category (41%-60%). Visual observations indicated areas 

lower in the valleys with less slope were in poor vegetative condition due to historic grazing

patterns. Steeper slopes surrounding the valleys were generally in better condition. 

Unfortunately, the methodology described by Pellant (2005) is designed to rapidly assess areas 

represented by ecological sites which did not always follow topographic position or other 

physiographic conditions. The results could not be directly related back to physiographic values.

Analysis of physiographic relationship with biotic integrity was attempted statistically by

correlating biotic integrity departure values with slope within management Units using a nonparametric statistic, Spearman’s Rank Correlation coefficient (rs). The results indicated

increasing slope was not significantly correlated (α(2)=0.05) with lower biotic integrity departure 

ratings in the Clarno Unit (n=6, rs=0.8000), Painted Hills Unit (n=5, rs=0.8542),or Sheep Rock 

Unit (n=14, rs=.2667). Future projects, such as vegetation mapping and sagebrush steppe 

monitoring, will provide geographically-based information that will allow for more detailed 

analysis of vegetation succession and distribution. This information will provide the ability to 

compare physiographic and other landscape attribute relationships to vegetation patterns.
69

Table 10. Summary of departure ratings for landscape attributes and physiographic attributes for JODA upland sample plots.

Park Unit Plot No

Soil Stability 

% Departure 

Hydrologic 

Function 

% 

Departure

Biotic 

Integrity % 

Departure Slope (%)

Aspect 

(degrees)

Elevation 

(ft)

Topographic 

Position

Clarno 19 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 13 232 1709 Backslope

Clarno 20 0.0% 10.0% 50.0% 2 272 1406 Terrace

Clarno 21 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% 61 4 1569 Toeslope

Clarno 22 2.5% 5.0% 23.3% 4 210 1594 Valley Floor

Clarno 23 2.5% 7.5% 36.7% 37 124 1614 Backslope

Clarno 24 2.5% 12.5% 53.3% 11 276 1746 Backslope

Painted Hills 8 0.0% 5.0% 43.3% 5 6 1943 Toeslope

Painted Hills 9 0.0% 2.5% 23.3% 37 304 2016 Backslope

Painted Hills 10 2.5% 10.0% 40.0% 3 352 2184 Toeslope

Painted Hills 11 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% 35 350 2353 Backslope

Painted Hills 12 0.0% 7.5% 50.0% 3 38 1968 Valley Floor

Sheep Rock 1 5.0% 7.5% 60.0% 7 85 2240 Toeslope

Sheep Rock 2 20.0% 37.5% 50.0% 12 230 2246 Toeslope

Sheep Rock 3 2.5% 10.0% 66.7% 6 260 2280 Step in Slope

Sheep Rock 4 2.5% 7.5% 43.3% 5 360 2486 Step in Slope

Sheep Rock 5 5.0% 12.5% 36.7% 38 315 2475 Backslope

Sheep Rock 6 2.5% 10.0% 33.3% 26 225 2667 Backslope

Sheep Rock 7 10.0% 17.5% 60.0% 5 360 2157 Terrace

Sheep Rock 13 5.0% 5.0% 26.7% 32 16 2380 Backslope

Sheep Rock 14 2.5% 12.5% 60.0% 11 258 2406 Backslope

Sheep Rock 15 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 17 272 2605 Backslope

Sheep Rock 16 0.0% 5.0% 40.0% 8 104 2699 Toeslope

Sheep Rock 17 0.0% 5.0% 23.3% 43 8 2349 Backslope

Sheep Rock 18 2.5% 10.0% 53.3% 3 242 2236 Terrace

Sheep Rock 25 0.0% 2.5% 10.0% 4 140 3213 Toeslope

71

Aquatic Assessment Results

For this study, 4 of the 15 CRAM riverine wetland sites assessed in 2007 (NPS 2007) were 

selected for instream benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling. The 11 CRAM riverine 

wetland sites not used were intermittent or seasonal surface water flows and were dry during our 

August 2008 sampling effort. 

Eastern OR IBI scores ranged from 18 to 28 among the six Oregon samples (Table 11). While all 

of these scores fall into the ―high‖ or ―severe‖ impairment classes using current impairment-class 

categories for eastern Oregon, reliance on these results alone could be misleading because of the 

small and regionally limited data set used to develop the eastern OR IBI and impairment classes.

While Oregon DEQ has used this index to evaluate ecological conditions in eastern Oregon 

streams outside of the Grande Ronde basin, they do not refer to this index as the eastern Oregon

index because of its limited applicability. Among Oregon sites, Rock Creek site, R15, and John 

Day River site, R14B, received the highest IBI scores of 28, while Bridge Creek received the 

lowest score of 18.

Table 11. Summary of raw and metric BMI scores for the 6 JODA sample sites based on the 

Eastern Oregon IBI.

RAW SCORE (IBI)

Bridge 

Creek

Rock 

Creek

Rock 

Creek

John 

Day 

River

John 

Day 

River

John 

Day 

River

R11 R08 R15 R14A R14B R14C

Taxa Richness 30 29 28 30 32 31

Mayfly Richness 5 5 8 10 9 9

Stonefly Richness 3 2 3 2 4 3

Caddisfly Richness 5 6 5 4 5 5

Sensitive Taxa 1 0 0 0 1 1

Sediment Sensitive Taxa 0 0 1 0 0 1

Modified HBI 3.7 3.7 3.0 4.6 3.9 4.1

% Tolerant Taxa 64 73 53 44 56 53

% Sediment Tolerant Taxa 18 10 2 4 4 2

% Dominant 57.3 61.0 56.2 53.1 46.5 56.1

METRIC SCORE (HBI)

Taxa Richness 1 1 1 1 1 1

Mayfly Richness 1 1 5 5 5 5

Stonefly Richness 1 1 1 1 1 1

Caddisfly Richness 3 5 3 3 3 3

Sensitive Taxa 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sediment Sensitive Taxa 1 1 3 1 1 3

Modified HBI 5 5 5 3 5 3

% Tolerant Taxa 1 1 1 1 1 1

% Sediment Tol Taxa 1 3 5 5 5 5

% Dominant 3 3 3 3 5 3

TOTAL SCORE 18 22 28 24 28 26
72

Based on the Eastern Oregon IBI, Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) values for the six sites ranged 

from 3.0 to 4.6 (Table 10), which correspond to good-excellent water quality conditions and 

minimal organic pollution. This translates to minimal organic decomposition and oxygen 

consumption resulting in moderate-high dissolved oxygen concentrations for fish in the sampled 

streams. Among Oregon sites, the Rock Creek site, R15, received the highest quality HBI score 

of 3.0, while the John Day River, R14A, received the lowest quality score of 4.6.

Data analyzed using the Western Cordillera and Columbia Plateau (WCCP) predictive model 

resulted in O/E values ranging between 0.662325 and 0.915316 (Table 12), which correspond to 

disturbed conditions at the six JODA sites.

Table 12. Summary of scores for the 6 JODA sample sites based

upon the Western Dordillera and Columbia Plateau (WCCP)

predictive model.

Site Name O/E (P>0.5) Biological Condition Class

Bridge Creek R11 0.914739 Moderately Disturbed

Rock Creek R08 0.662325 Most Disturbed

Rock Creek R15 0.662325 Most Disturbed

John Day River R14A 0.915316 Moderately Disturbed

John Day River R14B 0.910697 Moderately Disturbed

John Day River 

R14C 0.662325 Most Disturbed

John Day River

The John Day River flows to the north through the center of the Sheep Rock Unit of the John 

Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Local land uses include agricultural farming, ranching and 

grazing, and recreational uses by trail and road. These influences have resulted in channelization 

of the John Day River. The CRAM site on the John Day River was split into 3 sub-units for BMI 

sampling due to its large size (Figure 48).

John Day River R14A

The John Day River R14A site appeared greenish in color and contained substrate consisting of 

boulders, cobbles, gravels, sand and silt and substrate embeddedness of approximately 5 percent 

(Figure 48). An estimated 99 percent of the substrate was comprised of inorganic material.

Organic substrate consisted of minor amounts of muck along the river margins. The steep river 

banks were stable and consisted of moderately compacted clay, silt, sand, and rock. Much of the 

left stream bank was armored with large boulders to protect road bed fill from mass wasting and 

erosion. The channel cross-section formed a rectangular to u-shape with no signs of undercut 

banks. Bank vegetation consisted mostly of grasses and shrubs with scattered herbaceous plants 

and deciduous trees providing very little shading to the river throughout the day.

At R14A the water contained no apparent odors or surface contamination. The stream averaged 

10.8 m wide, 0.3 m deep, and flowed at approximately 0.4 m/s. The riffle from which the 
73

samples were collected was approximately 23.5 m long and 10.8 m wide. Each of the 8 replicate 

samples collected at the R14A site were approximately 2-3 m apart.

The Eastern Oregon IBI score of 24 corresponds to a ―severely impaired‖ ecological condition.

However, reliance on these results alone could be misleading due to the small and regionally 

limited data set used to develop the Eastern Oregon IBI and impairment classes. The John Day 

River R14A site received a Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) value of 4.6, which corresponds to 

―good‖ water quality conditions and ―some‖ organic pollution. Based on the WCCP predictive 

model, the R14A site received an O/E value of 0.915316, which corresponds to ―moderately 

disturbed‖ benthic biological conditions. Benthic index results suggest that this site is not 

currently supporting and maintaining a balanced community of organisms that has the 

composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to that of natural habitat within 

the same region.
74

Figure 48. Map and pictures of aquatic sample sites R14A, R14B, and R14C along the John Day River in the Sheep Rock 

Unit, JODA.
75

John Day River R14B

The John Day River R14B site appeared greenish in color with substrate consisting of boulders, 

cobbles, gravels, sand and silt (Figure 48). Substrate embeddedness was estimated at 20 percent.

Approximately 99 percent of the substrate at the R14B site was inorganic material. Organic 

substrate consisted of minor amounts of muck along the stream margins. The steep stream banks 

were stable and consisted of moderately compacted clay, silt, sand, and rock. The channel crosssection formed a rectangular to u-shape and contained no signs of undercut banks. Bank 

vegetation consisted mostly of grasses and shrubs with scattered herbaceous plants and 

deciduous trees providing very little shading to the river throughout the day

At the R14B sampling site the water contained no apparent odors or surface contamination. The 

stream averaged 15.38 m wide, 0.2-0.4 m deep, and flowed at approximately 0.48 m/s. The 

sampled riffle was 43 m long and 6 m wide. Each of the 8 replicate samples collected at the 

R14B site were approximately 5-6 m apart.

The site received an Eastern Oregon IBI score of 28, corresponding to ―highly impaired‖ 

ecological conditions. However, reliance on these results alone could be misleading due to the 

small and regionally limited data set used to develop the Eastern Oregon IBI and impairment 

classes. Based on the Eastern Oregon IBI, John Day River R14B received a Hilsenhoff Biotic 

Index (HBI) value of 3.9, which corresponds to ―very good‖ water quality conditions and 

―slight‖ organic pollution. Based on the WCCP predictive model, the R14B site received an O/E 

value of 0.910697, which corresponds to ―moderately disturbed‖ benthic biological conditions.

Benthic index results suggest that this site is not currently supporting and maintaining a balanced 

community of organisms that has the composition, diversity, and functional organization 

comparable to that of natural habitat within the same region.

John Day River R14C

The John Day River R14C site appeared greenish in color with foam on the surface and substrate 

consisting of boulders, cobbles, gravels, sand and silt (Figure 48). Substrate embeddedness was 

estimated at 30 percent. Approximately 95 percent of the substrate at the R14C site was 

inorganic material. Organic substrate consisted of minor amounts of muck along the stream 

margins. The moderately steep stream banks were stable and consisted of moderately compacted 

clay, silt, sand, and rock. Much of the left stream bank was armored with large boulders 

protecting road bed fill. The channel cross-section formed a rectangular to u-shape and contained 

no signs of undercut banks. Bank vegetation consisted mostly of grasses and shrubs with 

scattered herbaceous plants and deciduous trees providing very little shading to the river 

throughout the day.

At the R14C sampling site the water appeared normal with no apparent odors or surface 

contamination. The stream averaged 10 m wide, 0.2 m deep, and flowed at approximately 0.78 

m/s. The sampled riffle was 32.5 m long and 2-5 m wide. Each of the 8 replicate samples 

collected at the R14C site were approximately 3-4 m apart. The site received an Eastern Oregon 

IBI score of 26, corresponding to ―severely impaired‖ ecological conditions. However, reliance 

on these results alone could be misleading due to the small and regionally limited data set used to 

develop the Eastern Oregon IBI and impairment classes. Based on the Eastern Oregon IBI, John 

Day River R14C received a Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) value of 4.1, which corresponds to 
76

―very good‖ water quality conditions and ―slight‖ organic pollution. Based on the WCCP 

predictive model, the R14C site received an O/E value of 0.662325, which corresponds to ―most 

disturbed‖ benthic biological conditions. Benthic index results suggest that this site is not 

currently supporting and maintaining a balanced community of organisms that has the 

composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to that of natural habitat within 

the same region.

The 2007 wetland study conducted throughout JODA concluded that the entire R14 site (sites 

R14A, R14B, and R14C), an approximately 80-acre riverine wetland, received a CRAM score of 

85, which indicates that the wetland is in ―good‖ functional condition (NPS 2007).

Rock Creek

Rock Creek, a tributary to the John Day River, is located along the southern border of the Sheep 

Rock Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Local land uses include farming, 

ranching, grazing, and recreational uses from trails and roads. These influences have channelized 

the stream as it flows through JODA. A small dam created for agricultural water diversion exists 

about 1.2 kilometers downstream of the R08 site and 35 m upstream of the R15 site. The 

confluence of Rock Creek with the John Day River is located approximately 50 m downstream 

of the R15 site.

Rock Creek R08

The Rock Creek R08 site appeared greenish brown in color and contained substrate consisting of 

boulders, cobbles, gravel, sand and silt (Figure 49). Substrate embeddedness was estimated at 5-

10 percent. Approximately 95 percent of the substrate at the R08 site was inorganic material.

Organic substrate consisted of minor amounts of muck along the stream margins. The steep 

stream banks were stable. The right bank consisted of moderately compacted clay, silt, sand, and 

rock and the left bank consisted of a rock outcrop. The channel cross-section formed a v-shape 

and contained no signs of undercut banks. Bank vegetation consisted of grasses, shrubs, and 

scattered herbaceous plants with dense growths of deciduous trees providing 40-50 percent 

stream shading throughout the day, although many of the white alder (Alnus rhombifolia) are 

dead or dying but the cause was unknown.

At the Rock Creek R08 sampling site the water appeared normal with no apparent odors or 

surface contamination. The stream averaged 5.5 m wide, 0.05-0.25 m deep, and flowed at 

approximately 0.28 m/s. The sampled riffle was 28 m long and 4 m wide. Each of the 8 replicate 

samples collected at the R08 site were approximately 3-4 m apart.The site received an Eastern 

Oregon IBI score of 22, corresponding to ―severely impaired‖ ecological conditions. However, 

reliance on these results alone could be misleading due to the small and regionally limited data 

set used to develop the Eastern Oregon IBI and impairment classes. Based on the Eastern Oregon 

IBI, Rock Creek R08 received a Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) value of 3.7, which corresponds 

to ―very good‖ water quality conditions and ―slight‖ organic pollution. Based on the WCCP 

predictive model, the R08 site received an O/E value of 0.662325, which corresponds to ―most 

disturbed‖ benthic biological conditions. Benthic index results suggest that this site is not 

currently supporting and maintaining a balanced community of organisms that has the 

composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to that of natural habitat within 

the same region.
77

Figure 49. Map and pictures of aquatic sample sites R08 and R15 along Rock Creek in the Sheep Rock Unit, JODA.
78

Rock Creek R15

The Rock Creek R15 site appeared greenish in color and contained substrate consisting of 

boulders, cobbles, gravel, and sand (Figure 8). Substrate embeddedness was estimated at 10 

percent. Approximately 97 percent of the substrate at the R15 site was inorganic material.

Organic substrate consisted of minor amounts of muck along the stream margins. The 

moderately steep stream banks were slightly eroded and consisted of moderately compacted dirt, 

rock, and fill material from the road embankment. The channel cross-section formed a u-shape 

and contained no signs of undercut banks. Bank vegetation consisted of grasses, shrubs, and 

scattered herbaceous plants with scattered growths of deciduous trees providing approximately 

10 percent stream shading throughout the day. Burned junipers were also observed near the Rock 

Creek streambanks and many of the white alder are dead or dying but the cause was unknown.

At the Rock Creek R15 sampling site the water appeared normal with no apparent odors or 

surface contamination. The stream averaged 4.7 m wide, 0.2-0.8 m deep, and flowed at 

approximately 0.24 m/s. The sampled riffle was 32.8 m long and 4.5 m wide. Each of the 8 

replicate samples collected at the R15 site were 2-4 m apart.

The site received an Eastern Oregon IBI score of 28, corresponding to ―highly impaired‖ 

ecological conditions. However, reliance on these results alone could be misleading due to the 

small and regionally limited data set used to develop the Eastern Oregon IBI and impairment 

classes. Based on the Eastern Oregon IBI, Rock Creek R15 received a Hilsenhoff Biotic Index 

(HBI) value of 3.0, which corresponds to ―excellent‖ water quality conditions and ―no apparent‖ 

organic pollution. Based on the WCCP predictive model, the R15 site received an O/E value of 

0.662325, which corresponds to ―most disturbed‖ benthic biological conditions. Benthic index 

results suggest that this site is not currently supporting and maintaining a balanced community of 

organisms that has the composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to that of 

natural habitat within the same region.

The 2007 wetland study conducted throughout JODA concluded that the Rock Creek R15 site, 

an approximately 0.2-acre riverine wetland, received a CRAM score of 61, which indicates that 

the wetland is in ―poor‖ functional condition (NPS 2007). This low score is likely due to the 

homogeneity of this small wetland, which lacked the functional micro-habitats common in larger 

wetland systems.

Bridge Creek

Bridge Creek, a tributary of the John Day River, is located along the eastern border of the 

Painted Hills Unit. Local land uses include farming, ranching, grazing, and recreational uses by 

trail and road. These influences have resulted in Bridge Creek being channelized as it flows 

through JODA. A culvert is located approximately 35 meters downstream of the Bridge Creek 

R11 sampling site.

Bridge Creek R11

The Bridge Creek R11 site appeared greenish in color and contained substrate consisting of 

cobbles, gravel, sand, and silt (Figure 50). Substrate embeddedness was estimated at 10 percent. 

Approximately 90 percent of the substrate at the R11 site was inorganic material. Organic 

substrate consisted of minor amounts of muck along the stream margins and low gradient 
79

pockets. The steep stream banks were slightly eroded and consisted of moderately compacted 

dirt and rock. The channel cross-section formed a u-shape and contained slightly undercut banks. 

Bank vegetation consisted of tall grasses, willow shrubs, and scattered herbaceous plants 

providing approximately 80 percent stream shading throughout the day. No large trees were 

present along the banks and had been previously removed by prescribed fire in 2002.

At the Bridge Creek R11 sampling site the water appeared normal with no apparent odors or 

surface contamination. The stream averaged 3.3 m wide, 0.15 m deep, and flowed at 

approximately 0.15 m/s. The sampled riffle was 23.2 m long and 3.3 m wide. Each of the 8 

replicate samples collected at the R11 site were approximately 2.5 m apart.

The site received an Eastern Oregon IBI score of 18, corresponding to ―severely impaired‖ 

ecological conditions. However, reliance on these results alone could be misleading due to the 

small and regionally limited data set used to develop the Eastern Oregon IBI and impairment 

classes. Based on the Eastern Oregon IBI, Bridge Creek R11 received a Hilsenhoff Biotic Index 

(HBI) value of 3.7, which corresponds to ―very good‖ water quality conditions and ―slight‖ 

organic pollution. Based on the WCCP predictive model, the R11 site received an O/E value of 

0.914739, which corresponds to ―moderately disturbed‖ benthic biological conditions. Benthic 

index results suggest that this site is not currently supporting and maintaining a balanced 

community of organisms that has the composition, diversity, and functional organization 

comparable to that of natural habitat within the same region.

The 2007 wetland study conducted throughout JODA concluded that the Bridge Creek R11 site, 

an approximately 11.5-acre riverine wetland, received a CRAM score of 81, which indicates that 

the wetland is in ―good‖ functional condition (NPS 2007).
80

Figure 50. Map and picture of aquatic sample site R11 along Bridge Creek in the Painted Hills Unit, JODA.
81

Threats and Stressors

Threats and stressors are defined as a condition or situation, occurrence, or factor causing a 

negative impact to a natural resource. These can be further divided into naturally occurring or 

human-caused depending on their source. This section reports on 2 upland, fire and noxious 

weeds, and 4 aquatic; flow diversions, recreational land use, agricultural land use, and fine 

sediments; threats and stressors. Climate change is addressed as a threat to both upland and 

aquatic natural resources.

Upland Resources

The 2 major threats to upland resource at JODA are wildfire and noxious weeds. Each upland 

resource threat is described in more detail below as well as discussions of potential strategies to 

address upland resource risks.

Fire

Wildfire is a dominant ecosystem process in most natural temperate North American grasslands 

and forests. The sagebrush /bunchgrass ecosystem of JODA exemplifies one of these systems 

where fire has a major influence. Historically, fire was the most prevalent natural disturbance 

process in this ecosystem, and in general, these systems have evolved with fire as a dominant 

process influencing composition, diversity, energy, and nutrient cycles (Kauffman, et al 1997).
82

Wildfire Starts

Wildfire is a threat to the upland resources at JODA from fires igniting on or adjacent to park 

lands. Fire history at JODA is not well documented, but the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) have recorded fire starts since 1983 and 1974, 

respectively. The park service also has maintained fire start records since establishment in 1975. 

Because of the recent establishment of JODA and the fact that very few fires have occurred 

during that time, there is inconclusive data to establish frequency, character, or intensity within 

the monument boundaries. Table 13 lists a breakdown of the 160 wildfire starts recorded by the 

BLM, ODF, and NPS over the past 34 years within the project areas surrounding and within the 

park (Figure 51). The majority of starts (66%) were naturally-caused, mainly by lightning. 

JODA’s fire season runs from the first of June through mid-September. 

Table 13. Number of wildfire starts in the 3 JODA project areas from 1974-2008.

Park Unit BLM ODF NPS Human 

Caused

Naturally Caused

Sheep Rock 23 69 16 42 66

Clarno 28 2 12 18

Painted Hills 16 1 5 7 15

Totals 67 70 23 61 (38%) 99 (62%)
83

Figure 51. Maps of wildfire starts and fire boundaries in Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units project areas. 
84

Biophysical Setting

Biophysical Setting is a LANDFIRE data layer that describes or references the potential natural 

vegetation that may have been dominant on the landscape prior to Euro-American settlement and 

is based on both the current environment and an approximation of the historical disturbance 

regime. This layer attempts to incorporate knowledge of ecological processes prior to indigenous 

human influence. Map units are based on NatureServe’s Ecological Systems classification, 

which is a nationally consistent set of mid-scale ecological units (Comer and others 2003).

Within the Sheep Rock Unit the predicted dominant classes are shrubland (59.6%) and conifer 

(32.8%) (Table 14). The Clarno and Painted Hills Units are dominated by the shrubland class, 

87.4% and 85.4%, respectively (Table 14). Figure 52 displays maps of the spatial distribution of 

biophysical setting by JODA Unit.

Table 14. Summary of acres of Biophysical Setting classes for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Biophysical Setting Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Barren-Rock/Sand/Clay 105.2 0.1% 217.5 0.4% 22.0 0.1%

Conifer 37,246.7 32.8% 1,304.8 2.5% 3,971.8 9.9%

Grassland 4,313.3 3.8% 4,043.7 7.9% 1,427.9 3.6%

Hardwood 683.8 0.6% 0.7 0.0% 8.7 0.0%

Hardwood-Conifer 264.3 0.2% 0 0.0% 2.7 0.0%

Open Water 64.5 0.1% 102.0 0.2% 54.1 0.1%

Riparian 3,013.8 2.7% 794.4 1.5% 305.4 0.8%

Shrubland 67,614.1 59.6% 44,932.1 87.4% 34,069.3 85.4%

Sparse 123.2 0.1% 2.9 0.0% 2.2 0.0%
85

Figure 52. Maps of Biophysical Setting for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units 

in JODA.
86

Existing Vegetation

Existing Vegetation is a LANDFIRE data layer representing the vegetation currently present at a 

given site. The data is based on predictive models using field referenced information on plant 

community gradients; plot level dominant vegetation types, elevation model data and Landsat 

imagery. Final data values are compared and rectified through a series of quality measures. The 

existing vegetation type (EVT) data layer represents the current distribution of the terrestrial 

ecological systems classification developed by NatureServe for the western Hemisphere. 

The Sheep Rock Unit is predominantly perennial graminoid steppe (44.3%) followed by 

evergreen open tree canopy (20.5%), evergreen shrubland (13.6%), and evergreen closed tree 

canopy (13.6%) (Table 15). This is a shift from shrubland/conifer cover historical vegetation 

types predicted in the LANDFIRE biophysical setting analysis. The Clarno Unit is dominated by

perennial graminoid steppe (51.0%) and evergreen shrubland (23.6%), which is also a shift from 

the predicted historical vegetation types from the biophysical setting. The Painted Hills Unit is

also dominated by perennial graminoid steppe (48.6%) and evergreen shrubland (33.3%). 

Biophysical setting predicted the historical vegetation type to be dominated by shrubland cover.

Figure 53 displays maps of the spatial distribution of existing vegetation by JODA Unit.

Table 15. Summary of acres of Existing Vegetation classes for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Existing Vegetation Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Annual Graminoid/Forb 1,252.2 1.1% 3,034.6 5.9% 1,938.7 4.9%

Deciduous open tree canopy 683.8 0.6% 0.7 0.0% 8.7 0.0%

Deciduous shrubland 10.9 0.0% 12.9 0.0% 0 0.0%

Evergreen closed tree canopy 15,394.8 13.6% 93.3 0.2% 8.5 0.0%

Evergreen dwarf-shrubland 2.9 0.0% 4,980.4 9.7% 0 0.0%

Evergreen open tree canopy 23,205.1 20.5% 1,056.7 2.0% 3,711.4 9.3%

Evergreen shrubland 15,473.5 13.6% 12,137.4 23.6% 13,260.0 33.3%

Evergreen sparse tree canopy 28.7 0.0% 2.0 0.0% 1.1 0.0%

Mixed evergreen-deciduous 

open tree canopy 2,024.1 1.8% 546.6 1.1% 189.2 0.5%

Mixed evergreen-deciduous 

shrubland 451.6 0.4% 17.1 0.0% 0.4 0.0%

No Dominant Lifeform 1,784.1 1.6% 533.7 1.0% 335.7 0.8%

Non-vegetated 169.7 0.1% 319.5 0.6% 76.1 0.2%

Perennial graminoid grassland 2,517.3 2.2% 2,455.7 4.8% 954.7 2.4%

Perennial graminoid steppe 50,307.1 44.3% 26,204.4 51.0% 19,378.8 48.6%

Sparsely vegetated 123.2 0.1% 2.9 0.0% 0.9 0.0%
87

Figure 53. Maps of Existing Vegetation for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units 

in JODA.
88

Succession Class

Succession class is a LANDFIRE data layer that categorizes current vegetation composition and 

structure into five successional states that represent predicted landscapes that may have been 

dominant prior to Euro American settlement. The historical reference conditions of these 

successional states are simulated using the vegetation and disturbance dynamics model 

LANDSUM (Keane and others 2002). Vegetation conditions outside historical successional 

states are represented as uncharacteristic exotic vegetation that is not within the variables defined 

by the model, such as invasive weeds, and uncharacteristic situations created by native species 

such as tree encroachment into native grassland. The five successional classes as described in the 

FRCC handbook are (Hann and others 2004):

Succession Class A = early–seral, post replacement condition

Succession Class B = mid-seral, closed canopy condition

Succession Class C = mid-seral, open canopy stands

Succession Class D = late-seral, open canopy stands

Succession Class E = late-seral, closed canopy stands

The Sheep Rock Unit succession class layer suggests 33.5% of the Unit contains uncharacteristic 

vegetation or exotic vegetation that is not found within the composition or vegetation that may 

have been dominant on the landscape prior to Euro-American settlement (Table 16). The Clarno 

and Painted Hills Units are predicted to have 60.4% and 50.9%, respectively, in the 

uncharacteristic native vegetation or uncharacteristic exotic vegetation classes prior to 

settlement. Figure 54 displays maps of the spatial distribution of succession classes by JODA 

Unit.

Table 16. Summary of acres of Succession Classes for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Succession Class Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Succession Class A 2,784.0 2.4% 2,132.4 4.1% 1,624.0 4.1%

Succession Class B 30,672.1 27.0% 5,691.1 11.0% 4,724.3 11.8%

Succession Class C 26,058.0 23.0% 10,151.1 19.7% 10,614.1 26.6%

Succession Class D 7,954.4 7.0% 418.6 0.8% 749.7 1.9%

Succession Class E 4,281.5 3.8% 43.9 0.1% 940.0 2.4%

Uncharacteristic Native 

Vegetation Cover / Structure / 

Composition 3,115.7 2.7% 500.1 1.0% 296.9 0.7%

Uncharacteristic Exotic 

Vegetation 34,967.2 30.8% 30,530.2 59.4% 20,023.6 50.2%
89

Figure 54. Maps of Succession Class for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units 

in JODA.
90

Mean Fire Return Interval

Mean fire return interval is a LANDFIRE data layer that quantifies the average period between 

fires under the presumed historical fire regime (LANDFIRE 2007). This frequency is derived 

from historical vegetation (biophysical settings) and disturbance dynamics simulations using the 

LANDSUM Model (Keane and others 2002, Hann and others 2004). The model predicts fire 

dynamics based on several indices and is intended to describe one component of simulated 

historical fire regime characteristics.

The Sheep Rock Unit has 33.7% in <50 year simulated mean fire return interval range with 

60.0% of the area in the 50-100 year range, and 6.3% above 100 years (Table 17). In the Clarno 

Unit 62.6% is in the range from 46-70 years, with 10.9% in the 31-45 year range, and 26.5% 

above 70 years. The Painted Hills Unit has 17.1% in the <50 year range with 77.9% in the 50-

100 year range and 5.0% above the 100 year range. Figure 54 displays maps of the spatial 

distribution of mean fire return interval by JODA Unit.

Table 17. Summary of acres of Mean Fire Return Interval classes for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Mean Fire Return Interval Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

11-15 Years 15.8 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

16-20 Years 1,416.1 1.2% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

21-25 Years 3,937.0 3.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

26-30 Years 7,487.7 6.6% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

31-35 Years 6,735.8 5.9% 135.2 0.3% 45.9 0.1%

36-40 Years 5,788.2 5.1% 1,327.3 2.6% 867.9 2.2%

41-45 Years 5,761.3 5.1% 4,094.2 8.0% 2,253.2 5.6%

46-50 Years 7,417.7 6.5% 6,106.1 11.9% 3,668.4 9.2%

51-60 Years 19,915.2 17.6% 14,653.7 28.5% 11,177.9 28.0%

61-70 Years 19,992.7 17.6% 11,398.2 22.2% 9,559.1 24.0%

71-80 Years 14,460.5 12.7% 6,228.6 12.1% 5,335.8 13.4%

81-90 Years 9,346.1 8.2% 3,412.2 6.6% 3,340.1 8.4%

91-100 Years 4,489.5 4.0% 1,609.4 3.1% 1,621.1 4.1%

101-125 Years 5,003.2 4.4% 1,505.8 2.9% 1,717.7 4.3%

126-150 Years 1,088.9 1.0% 343.8 0.7% 179.6 0.4%

151-200 Years 272.5 0.2% 161.4 0.3% 16.5 0.0%

201-300 Years 7.8 0.0% 57.2 0.1% 0.7 0.0%

301-500 Years 0 0.0% 32.7 0.1% 0 0.0%

501-1000 Years 0 0.0% 8.9 0.0% 0 0.0%
91

Figure 55. Maps of Mean Fire Return Interval for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units in JODA.
92

Fuel Loading Model

The Fuel Loading Model is a LANDFIRE classification system data layer based on sets of fuel 

characteristics that are used as inputs for fire effects models. Fuel Loading Models can be used to 

simulate smoke emissions and soil heating in fuel beds. A fuel bed is surface combustible 

materials and includes live and dead herbaceous and shrub material, down woody material, duff 

and litter. Fire effects are directly related to the combustion process of surface fuels. Fuel loading 

models are useful for prioritizing fuel treatments and evaluation of fire hazard (LANDFIRE 

2007).

Fuel loads estimated from existing vegetation on the Sheep Rock Unit (Table 18) indicate that 

approximately 50% of the area is characteristic of the light fine woody debris with no duff fuel 

loading model, 32% the low load shrub-sagebrush and non sagebrush model, and 8% in the light 

logs, light duff model. Clarno Unit from LANDFIRE Fuel Loading Model indicate that 

approximately 52% of the area is characteristic of the light, fine woody debris fuel loading 

model, 35% the low load shrub-sagebrush model, and 8% in the low load shrub, non-sagebrush 

model. Figure 54 displays maps of the spatial distribution of mean fire return interval by JODA 

Unit.

Table 18. Summary of acres of Fuel Loading Model classes for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Fuel Load Model Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Light FWD, light to no duff 56,718.8 50.0% 26,918.9 52.4% 21,447.2 53.8%

Moderate FWD, light litter 798.4 0.7% 94.2 0.2% 4.0 0.0%

Moderate FWD, light to 

moderate litter, light duff 1,234.8 1.1% 6.0 0.0% 0.9 0.0%

Shrub Sagebrush with low total 

load 33,347.1 29.4% 17,803.2 34.6% 14,508.6 36.4%

Shrub Non-sagebrush with low 

total load 3,289.4 2.9% 4,198.4 8.2% 2,572.8 6.4%

Light logs, light duff 9,870.9 8.7% 156.5 0.3% 217.9 0.5%

Moderate litter, light duff, light 

logs 1,668.8 1.5% 0.2 0.0% 11.1 0.0%

Moderate duff, light to heavy 

logs, light litter 95.7 0.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

Moderate to heavy duff, light to 

heavy logs 1,626.6 1.4% 1.1 0.0% 1.3 0.0%

Moderate to heavy logs, light 

duff 173.7 0.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

Moderate duff, light to heavy 

logs, moderate litter 158.4 0.1% 0.7 0.0% 4.5 0.0%

Heavy to very heavy logs, 

moderate duff 69.4 0.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

Open Water 120.3 0.1% 153.4 0.3% 41.6 0.1%

Developed-Open Space 1,607.0 1.4% 370.1 0.7% 265.3 0.7%

Developed-Low Intensity 165.1 0.1% 157.9 0.3% 69.4 0.2%

Developed-Medium Intensity 0.7 0.0% 5.1 0.0% 0.4 0.0%

Barren/Rock/Sand/Clay 965.0 0.8% 466.5 0.9% 239.9 0.6%

Pasture/Hay 1,514.0 1.3% 862.6 1.7% 467.4 1.2%

Cultivated Crops and Irrigated 

Agriculture 4.9 0.0% 203.3 0.4% 11.4 0.1%
93

Figure 56. Maps of Fuel Loading Models for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units in JODA.
94

Fire Regime Group

Fire Regime Group is a LANDFIRE data layer that characterizes the presumed historical fire 

regimes within landscapes based on interactions between vegetation dynamics, fire spread, fire 

effects, and spatial context. Historical fire regimes are separated based on frequency and 

severity. Fire Regimes create similar groups of cover types based on fire return intervals, and 

burning characteristics. There are five fire regime groups recognized in the literature based on 

similar fire return intervals and burning characteristics (LANDFIRE 2007). The 5 groups are:

Fire Regime I: 0 to 35 year frequency, low to mixed severity

Fire Regime II: 0 to 35 year frequency, replacement severity

Fire Regime III: 35 to 200 year frequency, low to mixed severity

Fire Regime IV: 35 to 200 year frequency, replacement severity

Fire Regime V: 200+ year frequency, any severity

The majority (74%) of the Sheep Rock Unit historically has been within the 35-200 year fire 

return interval with low and mixed severity fires (Table 19). The Clarno Unit historically has 

been within the 35-200 year fire return interval with low, mixed and replacement severity fires

(82.6%). The Painted Hills Unit also historically has been within the 35-200 year fire return 

interval with low, mixed and replacement severity fires (92.5%). Figure 57 displays maps of the 

spatial distribution of fire regime group by JODA Unit.

Table 19. Summary of acres of Fire Regime Group classes for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Fire Regime Group Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Fire Regime I 17,703.9 15.6% 98.0 0.2% 33.2 0.1%

Fire Regime II 1,888.6 1.7% 37.2 0.1% 12.7 0.0%

Fire Regime III 84,084.7 74.1% 42,465.7 82.6% 36,867.6 92.5%

Fire Regime IV 9,451.1 8.3% 8,375.0 16.3% 2,869.5 7.2%

Fire Regime V 7.8 0.0% 99.1 0.2% 0.7 0.0%
95

Figure 57. Maps of Fire Regime Groups for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills 

Units in JODA.
96

Fire Regime Condition Class Departure

An estimate of Fire Regime Condition Class Departure (FRCCD) from historic conditions was 

estimated using landscape succession and disturbance dynamics modeling techniques to measure 

vegetation change from reference conditions. Departure is identified as the percentage conditions 

have changed from simulated reference conditions to current conditions with 100 percent 

representing maximum departure. The percent departure is categorized based on 4 classes; 0-

25%, 26-50%, 51-75% and 76-100%.

The Sheep Rock Unit has approximately half (53.2%) in <50% departure from reference 

condition and half >50% departure (43.6%) (Table 20). The majority of both the Clarno and 

Painted Hills Units are departed >50% from reference conditions, 81.6% and 83.2%, 

respectively. Figure 58 displays maps of the spatial distribution of FRCCD by JODA Unit.

Table 20. Summary of acres of Fire Regime Condition Class Departure for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Fire Regime Condition Class

Departure Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

0-25% (Very low) 13,851.6 12.2% 0.3 0.0% 0.0 0.0%

26-50% (Low) 46,483.1 41.0% 7,492.2 14.6% 5,784.7 14.5%

51-75% (Moderate) 13,086.9 11.5% 41,164.7 80.1% 33,111.9 83.0%

76-100% (High) 36,411.4 32.1% 797.5 1.5% 75.9 0.2%
97

Figure 58. Maps of Fire Regime Condition Class Departure for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, 

and Painted Hills Units in JODA.
98

Fire Regime Condition Class

Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) is a LANDFIRE data layer that categorizes the departure 

of current vegetation condition from reference or historical condition (LANDFIRE 2007).

Alterations in the vegetative landscape due to fire management activities, fire exclusion, ungulate 

activity, insect and disease infestations, climate change and invasive plants have occurred over 

time to influence the existing cover vegetation. FRCC data simulates departure from reference 

conditions using the LANDSUM landscape succession and disturbance dynamics model. The 

three condition classes describe low departure (Condition Class I), moderate departure 

(Condition Class II), and high departure (Condition Class III). Within each Fire Regime Group 

(FRG) are the three different condition classes. The condition classes coarsely separate each 

FRG based on potential for change in smoke production; hydrologic function; vegetative 

composition, structure and resilience. Condition Class I indicates that the cover types are not a 

significant risk for change. Condition Class II indicates moderate risk and Condition Class III

indicates high risk for change. This departure is calculated based on changes to species 

composition, structural stage, and canopy closure.

The Sheep Rock Unit is dominated by Condition Class II (42.6%) and Condition Class III

(35.4%), indicating the vegetative cover in and around the Sheep Rock Unit is moderately to 

highly departed from reference conditions (Table 21). Both of the Clarno and Painted Hills Units

did not have land in Condition Class I and had similar amounts of Condition Class II (39.9% and 

49.1%, respectively) and Condition Class III (56.3% and 48.6%, respectively). Figure 59

displays maps of the spatial distribution of FRCC by JODA Unit. 

Table 21. Summary of acres of Fire Regime Condition Class for each Unit in JODA.

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Fire Regime Condition Class Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Fire Regime Condition Class I 21,365.6 18.8% 0.4 0.0% 0.0 0.0%

Fire Regime Condition Class II 48,353.3 42.6% 20,526.7 39.9% 19,592.9 49.1%

Fire Regime Condition Class III 40,114.1 35.4% 28,940.2 56.3% 19,379.7 48.6%
99

Figure 59. Maps of Fire Regime Condition Class for the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted 

Hills Units in JODA.
100

LANDFIRE Analysis Summary

The LANDFIRE data presented in this report have been developed from complex models using 

existing data to calculate the 8 landscape parameters. Figure 60 is a simplistic diagram showing 

the relationships between these 8 parameters with the final parameter being the Fire Regime 

Condition Class. Each data set is found in the GIS geodatabase and can be used independent of 

the others or in combination for future analysis. 

Wildfires are a natural process in the region and can be expected to occur outside of the park 

boundaries. Table 22 is a subset of the data for the Fire Regime Group, Fire Regime Condition 

Class Departure, and Fire Regime Condition Class that represent over 96% of the project 

watersheds. The majority of land in all 3 units is in the Fire Regime Group III, indicating a 35-

200 year fire frequency with a low to moderate severity. Over 80% of the Clarno and Painted 

Hills Units project watersheds are moderately departed (51-75%) from the vegetative reference 

condition. All 3 park Units have close to half of the project watersheds in a Fire Regime 

Condition Class III (high departure). All 3 landscape parameters indicate the project watersheds 

currently have an above normal probability of experiencing wildfire. Park management should 

consider updating portions of their Wildfire Management Plan based on conditions presented in 

this report. 

Figure 60. Flowchart of the relationship between 8 LANDFIRE landscape 

parameters.
101

Table 22. Summary of the acres and percent of area for 3 major LANDFIRE landscape 

parameters within the project watersheds of the Sheep Rock, Clarno, and Painted Hills Units. 

Sheep Rock Clarno Painted Hills

Fire Regime Group Acres % Total Acres % Total Acres % Total

Fire Regime I 17,703.90 15.60% 98 0.20% 33.2 0.10%

Fire Regime III 84,084.70 74.10% 42,465.70 82.60% 36,867.60 92.50%

Fire Regime IV 9,451.10 8.30% 8,375.00 16.30% 2,869.50 7.20%

Total 98.00% 99.10% 99.80%

Fire Regime Condition Class 

Departure

0-25% (Very low) 13,851.60 12.20% 0.3 0.00% 0 0.00%

26-50% (Low) 46,483.10 41.00% 7,492.20 14.60% 5,784.70 14.50%

51-75% (Moderate) 13,086.90 11.50% 41,164.70 80.10% 33,111.90 83.00%

76-100% (High) 36,411.40 32.10% 797.5 1.50% 75.9 0.20%

Total 96.80% 96.20% 97.70%

Fire Regime Condition Class 

Fire Regime Condition Class I 21,365.60 18.80% 0.4 0.00% 0 0.00%

Fire Regime Condition Class II 48,353.30 42.60% 20,526.70 39.90% 19,592.90 49.10%

Fire Regime Condition Class III 40,114.10 35.40% 28,940.20 56.30% 19,379.70 48.60%

Total 96.80% 96.20% 97.70%
102

Wildfire/Prescribed Fire Interaction 

Big sagebrush communities have experienced major declines in the past 150 years principally 

from woodland (Juniperus spp.) expansion, land conversion, and increased fire frequencies 

created by invasion of annual grasses, like cheatgrass and medusahead (Kitchen and McArthur

2007). Mean fire return intervals for big sagebrush communities were estimated from post-fire 

succession rates to be from 40-80 years and up to 200 years for Wyoming sagebrush found in 

drier environments (Kitchen and McArthur 2007). Both subspecies are found in JODA and these 

are reasonable estimates of mean fire return intervals for JODA and surrounding lands. With the 

implementation of the JODA Wildland Fire Management Plan in 1999 lands within the park 

boundaries should not experience fire for the next 40-200 years.

The major objectives of the Wildland Fire Management Plan were to protect life, property and 

resources from wildfires, reduce hazardous fuel loads, restore fire to fire-dependent 

communities, and maintain cultural/historic landscapes. Prescribed fires in JODA have reduced 

the density and spatial distribution of juniper, which has a positive impact on the cultural/historic 

landscapes in JODA and prevents juniper invasion into big sagebrush communities. 

Unfortunately, it has also had a negative impact on big sagebrush communities where cheatgrass 

and medusahead are present. Cheatgrass and medusahead populations increase after fire

(Whisenant 1990, Pellant 1996, Reid et al. 2008). Many sites in the park are in the moderate 

departure rating (>40%) for biotic integrity, due mainly to the dominance of cheatgrass and 

medusahead in areas formerly dominated by big sagebrush and perennial grasses. Rodhouse 

(2009) also found high frequencies of cheatgrass and medusahead in JODA when collecting 

baseline data for monitoring sagebrush-steppe vegetation. This study could not quantify the 

possible geographic expanse of these disturbed sites due to the lack of pre-prescribed burn 

monitoring data. 

Several conclusions can be drawn from past research. The risk of negative impacts to natural 

vegetation and biotic integrity on park lands from fire, wildfire or prescribed, will be high for 

many years to come due to the time (>20 years) required for big sagebrush communities to 

recover (Kitchen and McArthur 2007, Bollinger and Perryman 2008). Cheatgrass and 

medusahead dominated communities are very difficult to rehabilitate and can significantly 

decrease fire return intervals from >70 years to <5 years (Billings 1990, Pellant 1996, Archer 

2001). Current park management should maintain or improve biotic condition with the

prevention of prescribed fires in degraded habitats and suppression of all wildfires.
103

Noxious Weeds

Garrett et al. (2007) developed a list of important noxious and non-native plant species based on 

the knowledge of NPS park staff. They identified 11 noxious weed species for JODA. This 

report begins with this list and then examined recent inventories, the data collected for the JODA

vegetation inventory project and the field work for this report to assess site specific conditions. 

An intense inventory of noxious and invasive weed species was conducted in the Painted Hills 

Unit during 2007 and 2008 by the Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center (Buechling

2008). In 2008 Northwest Management, Inc. (NMI) collected vegetation data on 362 plots 

throughout the park in conjunction with the vegetation inventory project. The following year, 

2009, NMI collected an abbreviated version of vegetation data on 408 plots while conducting an 

accuracy assessment of a vegetation map. During the site-specific field investigations for this 

report in 2008, a complete species list was developed for each plot and the occurrence of noxious 

weeds was extracted from the list.

Table 23 summarizes the occurrence of noxious and invasive species for each study. A total of 

25 species were identified from all lists and studies, with 19 listed as Class B noxious weeds by 

the state of Oregon (ODA 2009). Class B noxious weeds are defined as weeds with economic 

importance and are regionally abundant. Yellow starthistle is the only species designated Class 

T, which is a priority designation for control efforts within the state. 

Only 5 of the 19 noxious weed species in Table 23 are found in the official vascular plant list for 

JODA (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ucbn/inventory/index.cfm#table). The list is in the 

process of being updated with information from the Painted Hills Unit inventory and vegetation 

inventory project. The increase in the number of noxious weed species is due mainly to the 

increased efforts by park staff to document existing conditions and not necessarily actual 

increases in noxious weed infestations.

Buechling (2008) documented 15 invasive species, 8 listed by Oregon as noxious (Class B), in 

the Painted Hills Unit. A total of 233.4 acres were infested, ranging from 0.005 for oneseed 

hawthorne (Crataegus monogyna) to 172.5 acres for medusahead. Buechling (2008) noted that 

80% of all infestations were within 1⁄4 mile of a road or creek. The 9 species, noxious and 

invasive, with an aerial extent of less than 1 acre could be relatively inexpensive to control 

through repeated treatments (Figure 61). For species >1 acre, control efforts would be more 

problematic depending on the species spatial distribution (Figure 62). 

Clasping pepperweed (Lepidium perfoliatum) was the most abundant of the 15 invasive and 

noxious weed species and was found in 18.7% (362 plots) of the vegetation plots sampled in 

2007 (Figure 63). Medusahead, common mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and Dalmatian toadflax 

were the next most prominent species at 13.8%, 6.1%, and 5.5%, respectively. Clasping 

pepperweed also had the broadest geographical distribution being found throughout JODA 

(Figure 64). Medusahead was the most abundant noxious weed in the Clarno Unit (Figure 64).
104

Common Name Scientific Name

Oregon State 

Class 

Monitoring Plan 

2007

Inventory PH 

2008

Vegetation 

Inventory 2008

NRCA Plots 2009

Accuracy 

Assessment 2009

Species List

Quackgrass Agropyron repens B x x

Hoarycress Cardaria draba B x x x x x

Diffuse Knapweed Centaurea diffusa B x

Spotted Knapweed Centaurea maculosa B x

Russian Knapweed Centaurea repens B x x x x x x

Yellow Starthistle Centaurea solstitialis B, T x x x

Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense B x x x

Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare B x x x

Poison Hemlock Conium maculatum B x x

Field bindweed Convuvulus arvensis B x x x

Oneseed Hawthorne Crategus monogyna x

Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale B x x

Teasal Dipsacus fullonum x x x

Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia x

St Johns-wort Hypericum perfoliatum B x

Kochia Kochia scoparia B x x x

Perennial Pepperweed Lepidium perfoliatum x x x x

Dalmatian Toadflax Linaria dalmatica B x x x x

Yellow Toadflax Linaria vulgaris B x

Yellow Sweetclover Melilotus officinalis x

Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium B x x

Reed Canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea x x x

Rabbitsfoot Grass Polypogon monspeliensis x

Medusahead

Taeniatherum caputmedusae B x x x x x x

Common mullein Verbascum thapsus x x x x x

Table 23. List of invasive and noxious weed species identified as important or located within 

JODA boundaries.
105

Figure 61. Distribution of invasive plant species (<1 acre) 

within the Painted Hills Unit, JODA.

Figure 62. Distribution of invasive plant species (>1 acre) 

within the Painted Hills Unit, JODA.
106

Figure 63. Frequency of invasive and noxious weed species 

in vegetation plots sampled in 2007 (total n=362), JODA.

Figure 64. Map of invasive weeds found in vegetation plots, accuracy 

assessment plots, and NRCA plots, JODA.
107

Yellow starthistle is the only noxious weed species ranked as Class T by the state of Oregon and 

should be significant to managers. It is relatively rare compared to other species but in other 

locations in the Northwest they are very invasive and occupy millions of acres. It is currently 

only known to be in the Sheep Rock and Painted Hills Units. Noxious weed location maps

outside JODA boundaries were not available in GIS data format. The state of Oregon’s 

Weedmapper website (http://www.weedmapper.org/) does provide maps on screen for noxious 

weeds. Figure 65 is a composite of screen captured maps for Dalmatian toadflax, hoarycress, 

Russian knapweed, and yellow starthistle in Wheeler County outside the Painted Hills and 

Clarno Units boundaries.

Figure 65. Maps of the locations of 4 noxious weeds in Wheeler County, 

Oregon, from the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Weedmapper 

website (http://www.weedmapper.org/). 
108

Management of all species of noxious weeds is important for good stewardship of natural 

resources. Some species pose greater threats to the natural resources of JODA and are not 

necessarily the most abundant at the present time. The Pacific Northwest Weed Management 

Handbook (Peachey 2008) describes 5 major management options for land managers. Below is a 

summary of the options:

1. Prevention is the most cost effective method for management of noxious species. 

2. Biological management is the use of other organisms against noxious or invasive weeds.

3. Cultural management techniques integrate numerous components to minimize the impact 

of noxious weeds.

4. Mechanical management physically manipulates the noxious weed directly or the ground 

to kill or prevent sprouting.

5. Herbicides are chemicals used in many forms, liquid or solids, to directly kill or prevent 

germination of noxious weeds. 

Prevention is the most cost effective management option. All management planning involving 

ground disturbing activities should include a section on revegetation and invasive weed control. 

Most noxious and invasive weed species become initially established on disturbed sites so that 

preventing colonization should always be the goal. Another prevention option is to be actively 

involved with outside organizations focused on weed management. 

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has a Noxious Weed Program with a staff 

stationed in 8 cities throughout Oregon and a State Weed Board. The State Weed Board 

establishes priorities for management activities and award grant funds for county and local 

activities. Each county has one or more people responsible for noxious weed control on private 

lands. Complete descriptions of the ODA Noxious Weed Program can be found at

http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/. 

Cooperation with adjacent landowners, private and public, is the most effective method to 

prevent and control noxious weeds. To this end, JODA is a member of the recently formed Grant 

County Weed Management Area, which has members of local, state, federal, and private 

organizations. This coordinated effort will reduce the cost of noxious weed management and 

increase the effectiveness of prevention and control activities. Formed in 2009, they have 

developed a draft ―Strategy Plan for Invasive Weed Management in Grant County.‖ The plan 

establishes 6 major areas for implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system to 

manage invasive weeds by eradication, control, containment, reduction, or custodial efforts.

Internally, JODA operates on an IPM plan for invasive weed species and other pests. The plan 

identifies the thresholds that must be reached prior to the use of mechanical, chemical, or 

biocontrol control methods. The park has been assisted in this effort by the NPS Exotic Plant 

Management Team operating out of North Cascades National Park for the past 2 years. Chemical 

control efforts in 2008 concentrated on 157 acres of high priority areas; like parking areas, 

floodplains, riparian areas, and backcountry sites; and targeted 9 species of noxious weeds.

JODA’s staff are actively implementing biocontrol for Dalmatian toadflax. In the past 3 years 

approximately 4,000 agents have been released in the Sheep Rock Unit with positive impact on 

the population resulting in no chemical control required in 2009.
109

Aquatic Resources

Based on information in the JODA wetland study conducted in 2007 (NPS 2007), stressors to 

aquatic resources within the park units include the following:

Non-point source discharges Rangeland

Ditches Irrigated crop agriculture

Dams Actively managed hydrology

Flow obstructions Treatment of non-native and nuisance plants 

Vegetation management Evidence of fire

Nutrient impairment Evidence of flood

Flow diversions or unnatural flows Excessive human visitation

Engineered channel Trash or refuse

Urban residential Dryland farming 

Orchards/nurseries Groundwater extraction

Passive recreation Transportation corridor 

Mowing, grazing, excessive herbivory Dike/levees

Lack of vegetation management to 

conserve natural resources

Based on results of the benthic macroinvertebrate sampling in 2008, the most critical threats to 

aquatic resources at JODA include flow diversions, recreational land use, agricultural land use, 

and fine sediments. Each aquatic resource threat is described in more detail below in addition to 

discussions of potential strategies to address the risks that are threatening onsite aquatic 

resources.

Flow Diversions

JODA water resources have been highly modified by past actions. The Painted Hills Unit has

water held in a reservoir at the north boundary while water is diverted from Bridge Creek by 

neighboring farms. The Clarno Unit is not rich in hydrologic resources, but two of the wetlands 

that are found there are constructed stock ponds. In the Sheep Rock Unit there are networks of 

agricultural ditches that cross the historic ranch and water is extracted from a nearby spring to 

supply drinking water to the park. In the historic zone of the Sheep Rock Unit, water is diverted 

from Rock Creek and the John Day River to irrigate four historic hay fields. (NPS 2007)

Due to water withdrawals for irrigation, water quantity is often a critical concern for JODA 

streams, especially during the late summer. Water quantity can limit the ability of a stream to 

produce fish due to the lack of adequate fish passage, spawning, and rearing habitat. Water 

quality, especially water temperature, is often tied to water quantity in the arid regions of the 

western U.S. High water temperatures can inhibit a stream’s ability to produce salmonid species, 

which require cool, clean water during all phases of their life history. In addition, fecal coliform 

bacteria problems within streams are often exacerbated by low flows and high stream 

temperatures. To address water quantity and quality concerns, it is recommended that managers 

prioritize maintenance of natural flows as much as possible during the summer low flow period 

(July – October).

Recreational Land Use

Recreational use of JODA by tourists and other visitors is due to the general interest in the fossil 

beds and the transportation corridors within the Monument. It is important to manage use of the 
110

onsite aquatic resources in a way that educates the public without compromising the integrity of 

the resource. This can be accomplished by ensuring healthy vegetated riparian buffers exist 

around all JODA streams to protect instream resources from surrounding land use impacts. Park 

managers should also educate the public about the importance of restricting access within 

riparian areas and staying on park trails. Signs at viewing areas informing the public about the 

newly emerging willows and cottonwoods along the John Day River riparian area in the Sheep 

Rock Unit and Bridge Creek riparian area in the Painted Hills Unit would be good educational 

improvements for the park. The educational signs would demonstrate to the public the 

importance of riparian areas and the intended benefits from willows and cottonwood tree 

plantings in riparian areas and the positive management activities of the park. 

Agricultural Land Use

Agricultural activities within the John Day River watershed have resulted in channelization of 

the stream, loss of floodplain habitat, and a reduction in vegetative density and overall width of 

riparian areas. In addition, the fact that streams are often followed by roads and used as 

transportation corridors has exacerbated the channelized stream conditions. All channelized 

sections of JODA streams could be improved by setting back levees or road beds, where feasible, 

to allow for natural stream processes to occur (e.g., floodplain connection, sediment processing, 

fish habitat development, etc.). Widening riparian areas and increasing riparian plant density 

would also help cool stream water (through shading and groundwater reconnection) and 

minimize delivery of on-site fine sediment to the streams.

Fine Sediments

Fine sediment deposited in streambeds after salmonids have spawned will reduce the survival 

from egg to fry if levels are excessive. Fine sediment also affects the number and diversity of 

invertebrates, which provides an important food resource for salmonids. Fine material is 

generally produced in the uplands, transported towards a stream and is either deposited on the 

banks or enters the stream. As channels migrate laterally, streambanks are eroded and then the 

fine material enters the stream. Grazing, other agricultural practices, and roadway development

have all resulted in accelerated sediment production and delivery to the greater John Day River 

basin’s surface waters and stream channels.

It is difficult to manage sediment loading within the park when it is due to upstream land use 

activities. It is possible to help control and prevent fine sediments from entering JODA streams 

from onsite sources. In some cases, particularly in smaller streams, wood can be used to retain 

sediment (creating step pools along steeper gradient reaches), promote bed and bank stability, 

and thereby reduce the volume of sediment delivered to downstream reaches. Another effective 

way to reduce non-point sources of sediment within JODA park units is to ensure densely 

vegetated riparian buffers exist to trap sediments prior to delivery to the streams. Much of the 

sediment problems in JODA watersheds exist due to channelization of the streams for roadways 

and agricultural activities adjacent to stream banks. Levee setback would be another way to 

allow some natural sediment processing to occur onsite. Levee setback would allow the streams

to laterally migrate and deposit sediments into a network of secondary channels and/or

floodplains during high flows.

Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific intergovernmental body 

set up by the World Meteorological Organization and by the United Nations Environment 

Program. The IPCC Working Group II focuses on climate change impacts, adaptation, and 
111

vulnerability. Parry et al. (2007) published a technical summary of their most recent findings. 

Listed below are a few of the notable findings from the report:

Observational evidence from all continents and most oceans show that many natural 

systems are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature 

increases.

A global assessment of data since 1970 has shown it is likely that anthropogenic warming 

has had a discernible influence on many physical and biological systems.

Other effects of regional climate changes on natural and human environments are 

emerging, although many are difficult to discern due to adaptation and non-climatic 

drivers.

Some large-scale climate events have the potential to cause very large impacts, especially 

after the 21st century.

Impacts of climate change will vary regionally but, aggregated and discounted to the 

present, they are very likely to impose net annual costs which will increase over time as 

global temperatures increase.

Vulnerability to climate change can be exacerbated by the presence of other stresses.

Future vulnerability depends not only on climate change but also on development 

pathway.

Many impacts can be avoided, reduced or delayed by mitigation.

The IPCC Working Group II published a report on many areas of the world. North America was 

addressed by Field et al. (2007) and they documented three observable connections between 

climate change and terrestrial ecosystems. They found changes in seasonal timing of life-cycle 

events and phenology, plant growth or primary production, and biogeographic distribution. They 

also noted that direct impacts on organisms have indirect effects on ecological mechanisms 

(competition, herbivory, disease) and disturbance (wildfire, hurricanes, human activities).

Plants green-up and flower earlier in the spring and leaf fall occurs later in the fall. Primary 

production has increased in North American forests over the past 10 years (Boisvenue and 

Running, 2006). Nesting and breeding occurs earlier, migration is earlier for migratory species, 

and some species are shifting home ranges to higher elevations or to more northern latitudes.

A warming climate encourages wildfires through a longer summer period that further reduces 

fuel moisture, promoting easier ignition and faster spread (Running 2006). Westerling et al. 

(2006) found that in the last three decades the wildfire season in the western U.S. has increased 

by 78 days, and burn durations of fires greater than 2,500 acres in area have increased from 7.5 

to 37.1 days, in response to a spring/summer warming of 0.87°C.

The Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Oceans (JISAO) is a cooperative institute 

between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of 

Washington. JISAO has published a report titled ―Impacts of climate variability and change in 

the Pacific Northwest‖ (Mote et al. 2005). Their modeling predicts warmer, wetter winters, an 

increase of 3.1° F. by 2030 and a 5% increase in precipitation. Precipitation would come more in 

the form of rain with smaller snow packs. 
112

The predicted climate changes forecast little change in the annual flow of the Columbia River, 

but seasonal flows will shift markedly toward larger winter and spring flows and smaller summer 

and autumn flows (Hamlet and Lettenmaier 1999). The changes in flows will likely coincide 

with increased water demand, principally from regional growth, but also induced by climate 

change. Climate change is also projected to impact urban water supplies within the basin. For 

example, a 3.6° F warming projected for the 2040s would increase demand for water in Portland, 

Oregon by 1.5 billion gallons per year with an additional demand of 5.5 billion gallons per year 

from population growth, while decreasing supply by 1.3 billion gallons per year (Mote et al.

2003). The 43 sub-basins in the Columbia River basin have their own sub-basin management 

plans for fish and wildlife but none comprehensively addresses reduced summertime flows 

caused by climate change.

The direct and indirect impact of these predicted changes in climate on natural resources at 

JODA is complex and difficult to manage. Changes could be positive or negative depending on 

the ecosystem processes, communities, and/or species under consideration. Listed below are 

specific effects on species and ecosystems attributed to global climate change (Mawdsley et al. 

2009, The Heinz Center 2009):

1. Shifts in species distributions, often along elevational gradients.

2. Changes in the timing of life-history events, or phenology, for particular species.

3. Decoupling of coevolved interactions, such as plant-pollinator relationships.

4. Effects on demographic rates, such as survival and fecundity.

5. Reductions in population size.

6. Extinction or extirpation of range-restricted or isolated species and populations.

7. Direct loss of habitat due to sea-level rise, increased fire frequency, bark beetle 

outbreaks, altered weather patterns, glacial recession, and direct warming of habitats.

8. Increased spread of wildlife diseases, parasites, and zoonoses.

9. Increased populations of species that are direct competitors of focal species for 

conservation efforts.

10. Increased spread of invasive or non-native species, including plants, animals, and 

pathogens.

To deal with these potential impacts The Heinz Center (2009) recommends applying an adaptive 

management framework that (1) identifies actions to achieve management objectives, (2) uses 

modeling to predict outcomes of management, (3) implements management and monitoring 

activities, and (4) uses results from monitoring to update management activities. JODA has 

initiated this process through the implementation of the UCBN Vital Signs Monitoring Plan 

(Garrett et.al. 2007). 

Mawdsley et.al. (2009) identified 16 adaptation strategies in the 4 major adaptive strategies 

(listed above) to conserve species and ecosystems from the effects of global climate change. 

Many of the strategies are focused at the national and regional level and would not be applicable 

to an individual park. The major category titled ―Strategies Related to Monitoring and Planning‖ 

identifies 4 adaptation strategies that could be implemented at the park-level and are listed 

below:

1. Evaluate and enhance monitoring programs for wildlife and ecosystems.

2. Incorporate predicted climate-change impacts into species and land-management plans, 

programs, and activities.
113

3. Develop dynamic landscape conservation plans.

4. Ensure wildlife and biodiversity needs are considered as part of the broader societal 

adaptation process.

Once species and ecosystems identified at risk to global climate change are identified, these 4 

adaptive strategies can be implemented. The current monitoring plan and this watershed based 

report are the beginnings of meeting items 1 and 3. Future planning can incorporate more 

specific recommendations based on the results of monitoring efforts within the park and research 

conducted outside the park.

115

Summary and Recommendations

Upland Assessment

This report examined 25 upland sample sites in JODA covering all 3 park units using a rapid 

resource assessment methodology (Pellant 2005). The findings for each site are found in the 

results section of this report. All but 1 plot had soil stability attribute ratings of none-slight 

departure (<21%) from reference condition. The hydrologic function attribute also only had 1 

plot above the none-slight departure rating. Both attributes indicate the park lands are in good 

condition and functioning properly and are not contributing to soil erosion and water quality 

degradation. This condition should continue for the near future under current management.

The biotic integrity attribute indicated many areas are not in good condition. Only 5 sites were 

rated in the none-slight departure category (<21%), 9 fell into the slight-moderate category 

(21%-40%), and 11 in the moderate category (41%-60%). Visual observations indicated that 

areas lower in the valleys with less slope were in poor vegetative condition, due to historic 

grazing patterns, relative to the steeper adjacent slopes. Statistical correlation was attempted 

between biotic integrity departure values and slope by management Unit using a non-parametric 

statistic, Spearman’s Rank Correlation coefficient (rs). The results indicated that increases in 

slope were not significantly correlated (α(2)=0.05) with lower biotic integrity departure ratings in 

the Clarno Unit (n=6, rs=0.8000), Painted Hills Unit (n=5, rs=0.8542),or Sheep Rock Unit (n=14, 

rs=.2667). Future projects, such as vegetation mapping and sagebrush steppe monitoring, will 

provide geographically-based information that will allow for more detailed analysis of vegetation 

succession and distribution. This information will provide the ability to compare physiographic 

and other landscape attribute relationships to vegetation.

Aquatic Assessment

For most of the 6 aquatic sites sampled at JODA, the instream and wetland results indicate that 

the existing riverine wetlands are functioning at an adequate level, but that instream conditions 

are not functioning at full potential. Perturbations occurring upstream of the benthic sampling 

sites are often the primary cause for poor conditions at the sampling sites. While the riparian 

wetlands immediately adjacent to the sites help protect certain instream functions, they are not 

capable of alleviating all impacts originating from upstream sources. 

It is often very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of degraded ecological conditions at a site 

based on an IBI score; however, several common correlations exist between an IBI score and 

conditions or practices occurring within a watershed. IBI scores have been shown to positively 

correlate with vegetative cover, riparian tree density, water quantity and quality, and substrate 

particle size (EVS Environmental 2004). Observations of conditions within the John Day River 

watershed match closely with these correlations. Vegetative cover and riparian tree density have 

been reduced throughout the watershed in the past century to provide opportunities for 

agriculture. Irrigation withdrawals and agriculture practices adjacent to streams and rivers have 

led to reduced water quantity and quality (NPS 2007), which is critical in an arid region such as 

the John Day River basin. Agricultural land use and road proximity have also increased erosion, 

which leads to sedimentation, cobble embeddedness, and reduced salmonid productivity.
116

Threats and Stressors

Threats and stressors thought to be the most important to management of JODA’s natural

resources were examined using available information and the conclusions and recommendations 

are summarized in the following sections. 

Fire

Historically, fire was the most prevalent natural disturbance process in this ecosystem. Fire is the 

dominant process influencing composition, diversity, energy, and nutrient cycles (Kauffman et 

al. 1997). Wildfire originating within or adjacent to park lands is a threat to the upland resources 

at JODA. The data presented in the report indicates the watersheds surrounding the park units 

have not experienced wildfire for many years and have a higher likelihood for experiencing

wildfire. Fire Regime Condition Class ratings are moderate to high in areas outside the park;

however this situation does not exist on lands within the park boundaries due to the 

implementation of the JODA Wildland Fire Management Plan in 1999. 

Big sagebrush communities have experienced major declines in the past 150 years principally 

from woodland (Juniperus spp.) expansion, land conversion, and increased fire frequencies 

created by invasion of annual grasses, like cheatgrass and medusahead (Kitchen and McArthur

2007). Mean fire return intervals for big sagebrush communities were estimated from post-fire 

succession rates to be from 40-80 years and up to 200 years for Wyoming sagebrush found in 

drier environments (Kitchen and McArthur 2007). Both sagebrush subspecies are found in 

JODA. Prescribe fires in JODA have reduced the density and spatial distribution of juniper, 

which has a positive impact on the cultural/historic landscapes in JODA and prevents juniper 

invasion in big sagebrush communities. 

Unfortunately, prescribed fires have also had a negative impact on big sagebrush communities 

where cheatgrass and medusahead are present (Whisenant 1990, Pellant 1996, Reid et al. 2008).

Cheatgrass and medusahead are especially competitive with perennial plants after a wildfire 

when additional nitrogen is released by the burning of standing biomass and litter (Pellant 1996). 

Cheatgrass and medusahead dominated communities are very difficult to rehabilitate and can 

significantly decrease fire return intervals from >70 years to <5 years (Billings 1990, Pellant 

1996, Archer 2001). The risk of negative impacts to natural vegetation and biotic integrity on 

park lands from fire, wildfire or prescribed, will be high for many years to come due to the time 

(>20 years) required for big sagebrush communities to recover (Kitchen and McArthur 2007, 

Bollinger and Perryman 2008). Current park management should maintain or improve biotic 

condition with the prevention of prescribed fires in degraded habitats and suppression of all 

wildfires.

Noxious Weeds

Table 22 summarizes the occurrence of noxious and invasive species researched for this report. 

A total of 25 species were identified from local lists and past studies. The state of Oregon has 

designated 19 of these as noxious weeds (ODA 2009). Yellow starthistle is the only species 

designated Class T, which is a priority designation for control efforts by the State.

Management of all species of noxious weeds is important for good stewardship of natural 

resources. Some species pose greater threats to the natural resources of JODA but are not 

necessarily the most abundant at the present time. The Pacific Northwest Weed Management 
117

Handbook (Peachey 2008) describes 5 major options for land managers. Below is a summary of 

the options:

1. Prevention is the most cost effective method for management of noxious species. 

2. Biological management is the use of other organisms against noxious or invasive weeds.

3. Cultural management techniques integrate numerous components to minimize the impact 

of noxious weeds.

4. Mechanical management physically manipulates the noxious weed directly or the ground 

to kill or prevent sprouting.

5. Herbicides are chemicals used in many forms (liquid or solids) to directly kill or prevent 

germination of noxious weeds. 

Cooperation with adjacent landowners, private and public, is the most effective method to 

prevent and control noxious weeds. To this end, JODA is a member of the recently formed Grant 

County Weed Management Area, which has members from local, state, federal, and private 

organizations.

Aquatic Habitat Threats

Due to water withdrawals for irrigation, water quantity is often a critical concern for JODA 

streams, especially during the late summer. Water quantity can limit the ability of a stream to 

produce fish due to the lack of adequate fish passage and spawning and rearing habitat. Water 

quality, especially water temperature, is often tied to water quantity in the arid regions of the 

western U.S. To address water quantity and quality concerns, it is recommended that managers 

prioritize maintenance of natural flows as much as possible during the summer low flow period 

(July – October).

Fine sediment deposited on streambeds after salmonids have spawned will reduce the survival 

from egg to fry if levels are excessive. Fine sediment also affects the number and diversity of 

invertebrates, which provides an important food resource for salmonids. It is difficult to manage 

sediment loading found in streams within the park resulting from upstream land use activities. 

However, it is possible to help control and prevent fine sediments from entering JODA streams 

from onsite sources. In smaller streams, wood can be used to retain sediment by creating step 

pools along steeper gradient reaches. Wood debris also promotes bed and bank stability. Another 

effective method for reducing non-point sources of sediment is to maintain densely vegetated 

riparian buffers that trap sediments prior to delivery into streams.

Climate Change

The direct and indirect impact of predicted changes in climate on natural resources at JODA is 

complex and difficult to manage. Changes could be positive or negative depending on the 

ecosystem processes, communities, and/or species under consideration. Listed below are specific 

effects on species and ecosystems attributed to global climate change (Mawdsley et al. 2009, The 

Heinz Center 2009):

1. Shifts in species distributions, often along elevational gradients.

2. Changes in the timing of life-history events, or phenology, for particular species.

3. Decoupling of coevolved interactions, such as plant-pollinator relationships.
118

4. Effects on demographic rates, such as survival and fecundity.

5. Reductions in population size.

6. Extinction or extirpation of range-restricted or isolated species and populations.

7. Direct loss of habitat due to sea-level rise, increased fire frequency, bark beetle 

outbreaks, altered weather patterns, glacial recession, and direct warming of habitats.

8. Increased spread of wildlife diseases, parasites, and zoonoses.

9. Increased populations of species that are direct competitors of focal species for 

conservation efforts.

10. Increased spread of invasive or non-native species, including plants, animals, and 

pathogens.

Mawdsley et al. (2009) identified 16 adaptation strategies in the 4 major adaptive strategy 

categories to conserve species and ecosystems from the effects of global climate change. Many 

of the strategies are focused at the national and regional level and would not be applicable to an 

individual park. The major category titled ―Strategies Related to Monitoring and Planning‖ 

identifies 4 adaptation strategies that could be implemented at the park-level, which are listed 

below:

1. Evaluate and enhance monitoring programs for wildlife and ecosystems.

2. Incorporate predicted climate-change impacts into species and land management plans, 

programs, and activities.

3. Develop dynamic landscape conservation plans.

4. Ensure wildlife and biodiversity needs are considered as part of the broader societal 

adaptation process.

General Threats and Stressors

Due to the lack of consistent quantitative information on many threats and stressors, impacts 

were evaluated in a qualitative manner. Table 24 is an overall estimate of the potential impact to 

the 3 major landscape attributes from the threats and stressors reported previously; fire and 

noxious weeds for upland habitats and flow diversions, recreational land use, agricultural land 

use, and fine sediments for aquatic habitats and climate change. The actual impact from these 

threats and stressors to any specific site will vary depending on the existing natural resource and 

landscape setting
119

Threats/Stressors Major Resources/Processes

Upland Habitats Soils Hydrologic Biotic

Fire

Noxious weeds

Aquatic Habitats

Flow Diversions

Recreational Land Use

Agricultural Land Use

Fine Sediments

All Habitats

Climate Change

Key to Rating for Threats/Stressors

Potential impact to resource High Moderate Low

Table 24. Matrix of potential impact from threats/stressors examined in this 

report to the major resources/processes at JODA.
120

Data Gaps

Many types of information were not available for this report. We have summarized below 

important data that would improve natural resource management by JODA staff. We did not 

estimate cost or indicate agency responsibility due to the extensive nature of the data. This 

hopefully will provide guidance to JODA staff on future data collection efforts within and 

outside the park.

1. Accurate and standardized land cover/use mapping for the project area that meets 

National Map Accuracy Standards (+ 40’) and is repeatable over time. This information 

is very important for any watershed modeling of water quality attributes, wildfire risk 

assessment, and other resource values. 

2. Noxious weed maps in digital format on adjacent private and public lands within the 

project boundary. Currently no county, state, federal, or other organization collect and 

map noxious weed locations in the JODA project area. Managers would be more aware 

of possible new invaders and could develop better management strategies for existing 

species with this information.
121

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Youtie, B. and A. H. Winward. 1977. Plants and Plant Communities of the John Day Fossil Beds

National Monument. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.

127

Appendix A – List of NRCA Geodatabase Data by Theme

Theme Layer Name1

Air Resources

Animal

Steelhead habitat jodasr_steelhead

Climate

Precipitation Precipitation

Temperature tempave

Geography

Roads local_roads_jodasr

Highways Highways_jodasr

NRCA Plots joda_nrca_plots

Park Boundary parkbndy_jodasr

Public Land Survey System PLSS

Project Bounday whmi_projbndy

Cities Cities

Geology

Geology jodasr_geology_MUID

Park Soils jodasr_soils

Land _Process

Prescribed Burns Prescribed_Burns

Landuse

Land Ownership ownership

Plant

Plant Species by Vegetation Plots vegplot_spp_jodasr

Vegetation Plots jodasr_veg_plots

Vegetation Accuracy Assessment Plots jodasr_AA_plots

Stressors

BLM Fire Reports blm_firepts

NPS Fire Reports nps_firepts

Past Fires past_fires

Wildfire Starts stfires6205

Water Resources

Watershed Basin - 6th HUC basins_jodasr

Major Streams jodasr_streams

Lakes water_bodies

303d Listed Streams jodasr_streams303d

Springs water_sources

Streams (all) jodasr_water_courses_all

NRCA Aquatic Plots aquatic_plots
128

Appendix A – Continued

1

– Each park Unit has a separate geodatabase and layers are name by the convention of 

―joda‖ plus the 2 letter designate for each Unit; ―cl‖ = Clarno, ―ph‖ = Painted Hills, and 

―sr‖ = Sheep Rock.

Theme Layer Name1

Raster Data

Digital Elevation Model joda_sr_dem

Hillshade joda_sr_hlsd

Existing Vegetation (LANDFIRE) sr_evt

Anderson Fire Behavior Fuel Models (LANDFIRE) sr_13fbfm

Biophysical Setting (LANDFIRE) sr_bps

Fuel Loading Model (LANDFIRE) sr_flm

Fire Regime Condition Class (LANDFIRE) sr_frcc

Fire Regime Condition Class Departure (LANDFIRE) sr_frcc_dep

Fire Regime Group (LANDFIRE) sr_frg

Mean Fire Return Interval (LANDFIRE) sr_mfri

Succession Class (LANDFIRE) sr_scls

Color Aerial Imagery joda_sr_aerial.sid
Appendix B – Landscape Indicator scores by Plot for Upland Assessment

Plot No. Park Unit

Ecological 

Reference Code Soil Name 1. Rills

2. 

Waterflow

3. 

Pedestal 4. Bare 5. Gullies 6. Wind 7. Litter

8. Soil 

Surface

9. Soil 

Degredation

1 Sheep Rock 010XB053 OR Haystack N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S M N-S N-S

18 Sheep Rock 010XB053 OR Haystack N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

13 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Twickenham N-S N-S N-S M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

14 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Twickenham N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

15 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Twickenham N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

4 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Buffaran N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

7 Blue Basin 010XB063 OR Gooserock N-S N-S N-S M N-S N-S N-S M N-S

16 Sheep Rock 010XB063 OR Gooserock N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

17 Sheep Rock 010XB065 OR Brisbois N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

25 Sheep Rock 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

6 Sheep Rock 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

2 Foree 010XB034 OR Buffaran N-S S-M N-S E N-S N-S N-S M-E N-S

3 Foree 010XB053 OR Haystack N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S

5 Foree 010XB044 OR Drinkwater N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S M N-S

8 Painted Hills 010XB022 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

9 Painted Hills 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

11 Painted Hills 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

10 Painted Hills 010XB021 OR Day N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

12 Painted Hills 010XY007 OR Beeman N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

19 Clarno 010XB044 OR Twickenham N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

23 Clarno 010XB044 OR Twickenham N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

20 Clarno 010XB053 OR Sorefoot N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

22 Clarno 010XB053 OR Sorefoot N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

21 Clarno 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S

24 Clarno 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S 129
Appendix B (continued).

130

Plot No. Park Unit

Ecological 

Reference Code Soil Name

10. Plant 

Canopy 

Cover

11. 

Compaction

12. 

Function 

Structure

13. Plant 

Mortality

14. Litter 

Amount

15. Annual 

Production

16. 

Invasive 

Species

17. 

Reproduc

tion

1 Sheep Rock 010XB053 OR Haystack N-S N-S E N-S M-E M-E E E

18 Sheep Rock 010XB053 OR Haystack N-S N-S E N-S M-E M-E E M

13 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Twickenham N-S N-S M-E N-S N-S S-M M-E S-M

14 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Twickenham S-M N-S E N-S M-E M-E E E

15 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Twickenham N-S N-S M N-S N-S S-M M-E N-S

4 Sheep Rock 010XB034 OR Buffaran N-S N-S M-E N-S M M-E M-E M

7 Blue Basin 010XB063 OR Gooserock M N-S E N-S S-M E E M-E

16 Sheep Rock 010XB063 OR Gooserock S-M N-S M-E N-S S-M M-E M-E M

17 Sheep Rock 010XB065 OR Brisbois S-M N-S M N-S S-M N-S M-E S-M

25 Sheep Rock 010XB064 OR Simas S-M N-S M N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S

6 Sheep Rock 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S S-M N-S M-E M M-E S-M

2 Foree 010XB034 OR Buffaran E N-S M N-S M-E E M-E N-S

3 Foree 010XB053 OR Haystack N-S N-S E M M-E M-E E M-E

5 Foree 010XB044 OR Drinkwater N-S N-S S-M N-S M-E M M-E N-S

8 Painted Hills 010XB022 OR Simas N-S N-S M-E N-S M M-E M-E M

9 Painted Hills 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S M N-S S-M N-S M-E S-M

11 Painted Hills 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S S-M N-S

10 Painted Hills 010XB021 OR Day N-S N-S M-E N-S M-E S-M E S-M

12 Painted Hills 010XY007 OR Beeman N-S N-S E N-S M-E M M-E M-E

19 Clarno 010XB044 OR Twickenham N-S N-S S-M N-S N-S N-S M N-S

23 Clarno 010XB044 OR Twickenham N-S N-S M-E N-S M M E N-S

20 Clarno 010XB053 OR Sorefoot M N-S M-E N-S M M-E E M-E

22 Clarno 010XB053 OR Sorefoot N-S N-S M N-S S-M S-M M-E N-S

21 Clarno 010XB064 OR Simas N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S N-S M N-S

24 Clarno 010XB064 OR Simas S-M N-S E N-S M-E M-E E M
131

Appendix C – List of Plant Species at NRCA Upland 

Assessment Points

 Aerial Cover by Plot

Species Name

Growth 

Form

NonNative Noxious 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Juniperus occidentalis tree 3 1 1 3 1

Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata shrub 1

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis shrub 70 3 30 30 2

Atriplex confertifolia shrub 30

Chrysothamnus nauseosus shrub 1 1

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus shrub 30

Eriogonum microthecum shrub

Eriogonum sphaerocephalum shrub

Gutierrezia sarothrae shrub 1 3 1 30 30 1

Purshia tridentata shrub

Ribes cereum shrub

Sarcobatus vermiculatus shrub 1 1

Tetradymia canescens shrub

Agropyron spicatum grass 30 70 70 3 70 30 70

Bromus japonicus grass

Bromus tectorum grass X 30 30 70 70 30 30 70 70 30 70 3 3

Festuca idahoensis grass

Festuca microstachys grass 3 1

Koeleria macrantha grass

Leymus cinereus grass X 1

Poa bulbosa grass 70 1 3 30 1 1

Poa leibergii grass

Poa secunda grass 1 30 3 30 70 70 3 3 70 30 70

Sitanion hystrix grass 30 3 70

Sporobolus cryptandrus grass 30

Stipa thurberana grass X X 3 30

Taeniatherum caput-medusa grass 70 70 3

Thinopyrum ponticum grass 70

Achillea millefolium forb 1 3 3 3 1 3

Alyssum alyssoides forb X 3 1 3 3

Alyssum desertorum forb 1

Amsinckia lycoposides forb

Amsinckia tessellata forb

Antennaria dimorpha forb 1

Astragalus conjunctus forb 1 3

Astragalus filipes forb 3 3 3

Astragalus lentiginosus forb
132

List of Plant Species for NRCA Upland Assessment Points (continued).

Species Name

Growth 

Form

NonNative Noxious 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Juniperus occidentalis tree 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 70

Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata shrub 70 3 70 60 3 30 10 1 1

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis shrub 1 1

Atriplex confertifolia shrub

Chrysothamnus nauseosus shrub 3 3

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus shrub 70 3 1 1 3

Eriogonum microthecum shrub 1

Eriogonum sphaerocephalum shrub 30

Gutierrezia sarothrae shrub 3 3 70 1 1 3 3 30 1

Purshia tridentata shrub 30 3

Ribes cereum shrub 1

Sarcobatus vermiculatus shrub

Tetradymia canescens shrub 3

Agropyron spicatum grass 70 1 70 70 3 70 70 70 70 3 70

Bromus japonicus grass 30

Bromus tectorum grass X 30 30 70 30 70 3 70 1 30 70 70

Festuca idahoensis grass 70 70 70

Festuca microstachys grass 1 30 1 3 1

Koeleria macrantha grass 70

Leymus cinereus grass X

Poa bulbosa grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1

Poa leibergii grass 70 70

Poa secunda grass 70 70 3 70 3 70 30 70 70 3 70

Sitanion hystrix grass

Sporobolus cryptandrus grass 1 70 70

Stipa thurberana grass X X

Taeniatherum caput-medusa grass 70 30 3 70 1 70 70

Thinopyrum ponticum grass

Achillea millefolium forb 3 3 3 30 3 1 1 3 1 3

Alyssum alyssoides forb X `

Alyssum desertorum forb

Amsinckia lycoposides forb 1

Amsinckia tessellata forb 3 3

Antennaria dimorpha forb 1 1

Astragalus conjunctus forb 3 3

Astragalus filipes forb 3 1 3 30 3 3 3

Astragalus lentiginosus forb 3
133

List of Plant Species for NRCA Upland Assessment Points (continued).

 Aerial Cover by Plot

Species Name

Growth 

Form

NonNative Noxious 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Astragalus purshii forb 1

Balsamorhiza sagittata forb 

Blepharipappus scaber forb 1 1

Calochortus macrocarpus forb 3 1

Cardaria draba forb X X 3

Centaurea repens forb X X 3

Cirsium undulatum forb 1

Collinsia parviflora forb 

Convolvulus arvensis forb X X 1

Crepis atribarba forb 

Crepis intermedia forb 

Crepis occidentalis forb 1

Dalea ornata forb 1

Descurainia richardsonii forb 1

Draba verna forb 1 1 1

Erigeron filifolius forb 

Erigeron pumilus forb 3

Eriogonum heradeoides forb 3

Eriogonum strictum forb 1 3

Erodium cicutarium forb X 3 3 30 3 3 3

Fritillaria pudica forb 1 1

Helianthus nuttallii forb 

Holosteum umbellatum forb X 3 3 30 1 3 1 3

Kochia scoparia forb X X 3

Lactuca serriola forb 

Lepidium perfoliatum forb X 3

Lewisia rediviva forb 1 1

Linaria dalmatica forb X X 1

Lithophragma glabrum forb 

Lomatium macrocarpum forb 1 3

Lomatium triternatum forb 

Nothocalais troximoides forb 3 1 1 3

Opuntia polyacantha forb 1

Phacelia hastata forb 

Phacelia linearis forb 

Plectritis macrocera forb 1 1

Sedum lanceolatum forb 
134

List of Plant Species for NRCA Upland Assessment Points (continued).

Species Name

Growth 

Form

NonNative Noxious 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Astragalus purshii forb 

Balsamorhiza sagittata forb 3

Blepharipappus scaber forb 1

Calochortus macrocarpus forb 1 3 30 1

Cardaria draba forb X X

Centaurea repens forb X X 1

Cirsium undulatum forb 1 3 1 3

Collinsia parviflora forb 3

Convolvulus arvensis forb X X 1

Crepis atribarba forb 3

Crepis intermedia forb 1

Crepis occidentalis forb 1

Dalea ornata forb 1 3

Descurainia richardsonii forb 

Draba verna forb 1

Erigeron filifolius forb 1

Erigeron pumilus forb 

Eriogonum heradeoides forb 

Eriogonum strictum forb 3 3 1 3 1 3

Erodium cicutarium forb X 3 1 30 1 3

Fritillaria pudica forb 

Helianthus nuttallii forb 3

Holosteum umbellatum forb X 1 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 1

Kochia scoparia forb X X

Lactuca serriola forb 3 1

Lepidium perfoliatum forb X 3 1 1

Lewisia rediviva forb 

Linaria dalmatica forb X X 30

Lithophragma glabrum forb 3

Lomatium macrocarpum forb 1 3

Lomatium triternatum forb 1 3

Nothocalais troximoides forb 3 1

Opuntia polyacantha forb 

Phacelia hastata forb 30 3 1

Phacelia linearis forb 3 1

Plectritis macrocera forb 1

Sedum lanceolatum forb 3
135

List of Plant Species for NRCA Upland Assessment Points (continued).

 Aerial Cover by Plot

Species Name

Growth 

Form

NonNative Noxious 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Sisymbrium altissimum forb X 3 3 30 3 3

Sphaeralcea munroana forb 1 1

Thysanocarpus curvipes forb 

Tragopogon dubius forb X 3 3

Verbascum thapsus forb X 3
136

List of Plant Species for NRCA Upland Assessment Points (continued).

Species Name

Growth 

Form

NonNative Noxious 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Sisymbrium altissimum forb X 3 3 30 1

Sphaeralcea munroana forb 1 3 1 1

Thysanocarpus curvipes forb 1 1

Tragopogon dubius forb X 3 1 1 1 3 1

Verbascum thapsus forb X 30 1
137

Appendix D – Benthic Macroinvertebrate Site Description 

Summaries

John Day River R14A

Name of Riparian-Wetland Area: ____JODA______________________________

Date: __8/28/2008_Segment/Reach ID: R14A_______Stream: __John Day River__

ID Team Observers: __ Ladd, Neumiller________________________________________

Stream Channel

Description Yes/No

Channelized Y

Stream Substrate and Shoreline Condition 

Description Percent 

(%)

Inorganic Substrate 98

Organic Substrate <2

Embeddedness 5

Sediment 10-15

Stream Shading 0

Site Measurements

Description Meters

Stream Width 10.8

Surface Velocity (m/s) 0.4

Water Depth (Average) 0.3

Riffle Length 23.5

Riffle Width (Average) 10.8
138

John Day River R14B

Name of Riparian-Wetland Area: ____JODA______________________________

Date: __8/28/2008_Segment/Reach ID: R14B_______Stream: __John Day River__

ID Team Observers: __ Ladd, Neumiller________________________________________

Stream Channel

Description Yes/No

Channelized Y

Stream Substrate and Shoreline Condition 

Description Percent 

(%)

Inorganic Substrate 95

Organic Substrate 3-5

Embeddedness 20

Sediment 25

Stream Shading 0

Site Measurements

Description Meters

Stream Width 15.3

Surface Velocity (m/s) 0.5

Water Depth (Average) 0.3

Riffle Length 43.0

Riffle Width (Average) 6.0
139

John Day River R14C

Name of Riparian-Wetland Area: ____JODA______________________________

Date: __8/28/2008_Segment/Reach ID: R14C_______Stream: __John Day River__

ID Team Observers: __ Ladd, Neumiller________________________________________

Stream Channel

Description Yes/No

Channelized Y

Stream Substrate and Shoreline Condition 

Description Percent 

(%)

Inorganic Substrate 95

Organic Substrate 3-5

Embeddedness 30

Sediment 50

Stream Shading 0

Site Measurements

Description Meters

Stream Width 10.0

Surface Velocity (m/s) 0.7

Water Depth (Average) 0.2

Riffle Length 32.5

Riffle Width (Average) 3.5
140

Rock Creek R08

Name of Riparian-Wetland Area: ____JODA______________________________

Date: __8/27/2008_Segment/Reach ID: R08_______Stream: __Rock Creek__

ID Team Observers: __ Ladd, Neumiller________________________________________

Stream Channel

Description Yes/No

Channelized Y

Stream Substrate and Shoreline Condition 

Description Percent 

(%)

Inorganic Substrate 95

Organic Substrate <5

Embeddedness 5-10

Sediment 5

Stream Shading 40-50

Site Measurements

Description Meters

Stream Width 5.5

Surface Velocity (m/s) 0.3

Water Depth (Average) 0.2

Riffle Length 28.0

Riffle Width (Average) 4.0
141

Rock Creek R15

Name of Riparian-Wetland Area: ____JODA______________________________

Date: __8/27/2008_Segment/Reach ID: _R15_______Stream: __Rock Creek__

ID Team Observers: __ Ladd, Neumiller________________________________________

Stream Channel

Description Yes/No

Channelized Y

Stream Substrate and Shoreline Condition 

Description Percent 

(%)

Inorganic Substrate 95

Organic Substrate <5

Embeddedness 5

Sediment 15

Stream Shading 10

Site Measurements

Description Meters

Stream Width 4.7

Surface Velocity (m/s) 0.2

Water Depth (Average) 0.5

Riffle Length 32.8

Riffle Width (Average) 4.5
142

Bridge Creek R11

Name of Riparian-Wetland Area: ____JODA______________________________

Date: __8/26/2008_Segment/Reach ID: _R11_______Stream: __Bridge Creek__

ID Team Observers: __ Ladd, Neumiller________________________________________

Stream Channel

Description Yes/No

Channelized Y

Stream Substrate and Shoreline Condition 

Description Percent 

(%)

Inorganic Substrate 90

Organic Substrate 5-10

Embeddedness 10

Sediment 15

Stream Shading 80

Site Measurements

Description Meters

Stream Width 3.3

Surface Velocity (m/s) 0.5

Water Depth (Average) 0.2

Riffle Length 23.2

Riffle Width (Average) 3.3
Appendix E. Macroinvertebrate Taxa List

Stream Bridge Creek Rock Creek Rock Creek John Day River

John Day 

River

John Day 

River

Site R11 R08 R15 R14A R14B R14C

Date 8/26/2008 8/27/2008 8/27/2008 8/28/2008 8/28/2008 8/28/2008

Habitat Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide

Percent Subsampled 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

ABR Sample ID 08-610-04 08-610-05 08-610-06 08-610-07 08-610-08 08-610-09

OLIGOCHAETA 6 2 7 5

Trombidiformes Trombidiformes 2 3 2 4

Amphipoda Crangonyx

Decapoda Pacifasticus

Isopoda Caecidotea

Coleoptera Microcylloepus 33 31 70 36 56 74

Optioservus 17 51 52 7 56 25

Ordobrevia 1

Zaitzevia 1 6 36 3 7 10

Psephenus 30 86 25 16 7

Diptera Atherix 10 5 1 4

Chironomidae 6 1 2 2

Chironomini 3 3 1 5 1

Polypedilum

Diamesinae 2 1

Diamesa

Orthocladiinae 34 14 9 7 4

Brillia

Eukiefferiella

Limnophyes

Orthocladius/Cricotopus 

complex

Thienemanniella

Tanypodinae 7 4 1 3 1

Tanytarsini 3 2 1

Tanytarsus/Micropsectra

Empididae 1 1

Hemerodromia 2 1

143
Stream Bridge Creek Rock Creek Rock Creek John Day River

John Day 

River

John Day 

River

Site R11 R08 R15 R14A R14B R14C

Date 8/26/2008 8/27/2008 8/27/2008 8/28/2008 8/28/2008 8/28/2008

Habitat Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide

Percent Subsampled 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

ABR Sample ID 08-610-04 08-610-05 08-610-06 08-610-07 08-610-08 08-610-09

Neoplasta 1

Prosimulium 1

Simulium 3 8 5 12

Antocha 2

Hexatoma 1 1

Ephemeroptera Acentrella turbida 29 12 4

Baetis flavistriga 1 6

Baetis tricaudatus 13 5 20 128 80 100

Baetis damaged 5

Diphetor hageni 1 2

Fallceon quilleri 1 3 7

Baetidae damaged 4 29 48 18 23

Pseudocloeon dardanum 6 1

Drunella grandis 5

Ephemerella excrucians

Ephemerella imm 1

Cinygmula

Ecdyonorus criddlei 1

Epeorus 11 5 4 6

Rhithrogena 14 3 137 18 71 32

Heptageniidae damaged 2 2

Paraleptophlebia 

bicornuta 1

Leptophlebiidae damaged 1 1 2

Asioplax 1 4 3

Tricorythodes 68 27 2 15 16 8

Lepidoptera Petrophila 2 18 15 4 8

Odonata Ophiogomphus 11

Argia 2 1

Plecoptera Zapada columbiana Gr. 1

Malenka

144
Stream Bridge Creek Rock Creek Rock Creek John Day River

John Day 

River

John Day 

River

Site R11 R08 R15 R14A R14B R14C

Date 8/26/2008 8/27/2008 8/27/2008 8/28/2008 8/28/2008 8/28/2008

Habitat Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide Reach-Wide

Percent Subsampled 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

ABR Sample ID 08-610-04 08-610-05 08-610-06 08-610-07 08-610-08 08-610-09

Isogenoides 1 1

Skwala 23 5 13 4 9 4

Calineuria californica 1

Doroneuria 3 6

Hesperoperla pacifica 1 2 1 2

Pteronarcys 1

Pteronarcidae damaged 1

Trichoptera Amiocentrus aspilus

Brachycentrus 53 92 1 1 19

Glossosoma 3

Glossosomatidae pupae 1

Helicopsyche borealis 1

Hydropsyche 159 171 22 95 101 114

Cheumatopsyche 8 3 18 36 22

Hydroptila 1

1

Leucotrichia 1

Ochrotrichia 1 1 2

Lepidostoma

Nectopsyche

Dicosmoecus

Onocosmoecus unicolor 1

Chimarra 2 1 14 4 13

Gastropoda Ferrissia 2 2 1

Lymnaeidae 2

Gyraulus parvus 20

Physella 1 1

Pelecypoda Pisidiidae

TURBELLARIA Turbellaria

NEMATA Nemata 1 6 3

Total 489 515 521 510 542 513

145

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