| Buck Hollow Watershed Work Concludes Eighth Phase |
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Buck Hollow Creek clear water enters a muddy Deschutes River
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Article printed with permission from "The Dalles Chronicle" appearing Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sherman County has traditionally had a pro-active approach to resource conservation in agricultural operations. As early as the 1950’s progressive practices such as strip cropping and residue management were adopted by early conservationists. Structural erosion control practices were pioneered by dry-land wheat producers in the early 1960’s and proved invaluable by the winter of 1964. In the mid 1980’s crop residue management became mandatory by the federal government, and continues to evolve into ever-progressive strategies with advances in technology and watershed health awareness.
Among this web of managing a business bombarded by state and federal regulations, ever increasing overhead costs, and environmental rules compounded daily there still exists a fundamental dedication to the land. This dedication can be seen every day throughout Sherman County’s agricultural landscape and is exemplified through the apparent difference of water quality from Buck Hollow Creek as it enters the Dechutes River.
The Buck Hollow watershed project was proposed by Sherman County Soil & Water Conservation District in 1985 and planning began with 11 members of an assessment team. Team members included biologists, an economist, an agronomist, a hydrologist, soil scientist, geologist, and an engineer along with members of the Soil Conservation Service and landowners involved in the Sherman County Soil & Water Conservation District. Efforts to further the restoration project continued when neighboring Wasco County decided to participate in 1991 and funding was granted by then (GWEB) Governors Watershed Enhancement Board now (OWEB) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. The multi-phase project was initiated in 1991 and the 8th phase of the OWEB project was completed in 2006. Sherman County landowners in the Buck Hollow watershed have chosen to form a watershed council to continue their efforts to protect the watershed.
Projects consisted primarily of erosion control practices on agricultural and rangelands. Other projects included off stream watering for wildlife and livestock, and enhancements to rangeland health. These projects aimed at restoring the watershed function to reduce peak runoff events, and provide a more stable delivery of clean water to Buck Hollow Creek. The phrase “capture, store and safely release” became the motto of this watershed, and with a ridge top to ridge top approach, represented the philosophy of how this watershed was treated.
Though the primary focus of the project was on restoring watershed function, education soon became a valuable asset as well. Local school science programs began to participate in watershed monitoring and even actively participating in restoration activities such as riparian tree plantings. Exposing young people to the awareness of watersheds and how their daily activities affect watershed health and function is a valuable investment in the future of our natural resources.
The resource conservation work that takes place in our watersheds continues on a daily basis. Active restoration and management practices are out there all the time. Land managers invest considerable time and money to ensure their land is capable of providing a living while sustaining the health and function of the environment. Though we work everyday to ensure the protection of our watersheds, the results of our efforts can usually only be seen by the general public during events such as the one photographed on January 3, 2007 at the confluence of Buck Hollow and the Deschutes River.
More SWCD success stories
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