FAQs
What is a watershed?
A watershed is typically defined as the area of land where all precipitation drains to a common water body, such as a river or lake. Watersheds are not made of water, but of land. This means that the boundaries of a watershed are determined by the shape of the land that surrounds them. Water runs downstream, so buttes and ranges often form the boundaries of watersheds.
What is a watershed council?
Watershed councils are locally organized, voluntary, non-regulatory groups established to improve the conditions of watersheds in their local area. Councils are required to represent the interests in the basin and be balanced in their makeup. The official definition of a watershed council is described in Oregon Revised Statute 541.388
Bringing together local stakeholders from private, local, state, and federal interests in a partnership, councils plan watershed protection and restoration strategies in a holistic way--from ridge top to ridge top, and from headwaters to mouth. Through this watershed partnership, council members collaborate to identify issues, promote cooperative solutions, focus resources, agree on goals for watershed protection and enhancement, and foster communication among all watershed interests.
How big is our watershed?
The North/Middle Fork watershed is approximately 2600 square miles (1,664,000 acres)
Where is it located?
Mainly in Grant, Umatilla and Morrow Counties, but also includes small sections in Wheeler and Union Counties. The NFJDWC is in the John Day Basin.
What cities are in this watershed?
Long Creek, Monument, Granite, & Ukiah.
What is the population of the watershed?
The watershed has a population of approximately 1200 people that live in the small communities of Long Creek, Monument, Granite and Ukiah, or in scattered ranches and homesteads throughout the watershed.
What are the predominant types of land in the watershed?
72.7% Forest
19.5% Shrub/grasslands
7.1% Agriculture
0.4% Alpine
0.2% Urban
0.1% Water
Who owns/manages the land in the watershed?
58.9% Private
31.5% Forest Service
8.7% Bureau of Land Management
0.5% Tribal
0.2% National Park Service
0.1% State of Oregon
What types of wildlife can be found in the watershed?
Elk, mule deer, white-tail deer, antelope, cougar, black bear, coyote, bobcat, wild turkey, river otters, and beaver are found in the watershed. Bald eagles and hawks are common in the area. And migratory birds such as crane, geese, and ducks travel through the basin. The John Day provides excellent habitat for diverse fish species including salmon, steelhead, bass, redband trout, bull trout, and cutthroat trout.
What are the recreational opportunities in the watershed?
The diverse landscape of the watershed includes the forests of the Blue Mountains, open grasslands, dry rimrock canyons, and lush irrigated meadows. The area provides many recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, rafting and canoeing, hiking, snowmobiling and ATVs, and camping.