Caring for the rivers and streams that flow through our Preserves is a top priority for the Land Trust. Why? Our protected lands help wildlife thrive, they keep our air and water clean, and they help us fight against climate change. Some of the lands we conserve are in great condition and just need protection. Other places need help to recover. That’s where restoration comes in.

Restoring rivers and streams is a complex, many-year investment in building healthier lands and waters that can adapt to our changing climate—now and far into the future. The Land Trust evaluates each potential restoration project individually, working with local experts to develop the best restoration plan for the site. When we get to the point of breaking ground and starting a stream restoration project, years of effort have already gone into the planning, design, fundraising, and implementation. The Land Trust is currently working on five different stream restoration projects in some capacity!

In the last year, the funding landscape for stream restoration projects has shifted dramatically. Major stream restoration projects cost millions of dollars to implement and federal sources typically cover a significant portion of the funding. With federal funding for implementation severely limited, the Land Trust has had to pivot planning restoration projects with funds from other sources. Though this impacts implementation timelines for several projects, it does help us move other projects forward that have been waiting in the wings. Here’s an update on where the Land Trust’s active stream restoration projects currently stand.

• Ochoco Preserve: The Land Trust completed the design for Ochoco Preserve in 2021 and then the first phase of stream restoration in 2022, focusing on McKay Creek at the Preserve. Phase two in 2024 included the restoration of Ochoco Creek and a portion of the Crooked River, along with initial trail and educational site development. The Land Trust is currently working to raise funds for the final phase of restoration and site development. Given funding challenges, we are currently working on splitting the third phase into two projects. One would focus on the final restoration efforts along the Crooked river, where new stream channels, floodplain, and wetlands will be created. The second would focus on finishing trails and access details, including building the footbridges over the Crooked River and Ochoco Creek. Our hope would be to then start phasing implementation in 2027 and beyond. Learn more about the Ochoco Preserve Project.
  
  
• Paulina Creek Preserve: The Land Trust is actively working with contractors to design restoration plans for Paulina Creek. We hope to complete the design by the end of 2026. Permitting is also underway. Once the design is finalized, we can begin to raise funds for implementation. Implementation would not begin until 2028 at the earliest. Learn more about Paulina Creek Preserve.
  
  
• Priday Ranch: The Land Trust received funding in early 2026 to begin restoration planning for Trout Creek. Design efforts are currently underway, with the goal of developing a preliminary design to restore one mile of Trout Creek near the western side of the Preserve. This would be the first phase of the Land Trust’s stream restoration efforts at the Preserve. Once the initial plan is complete the Land Trust will work to finalize the design and complete permitting and fundraising in 2027, with the goal of implementing no later than 2029. Learn more about Priday Ranch.
  
  
• Whychus Canyon Preserve/Rimrock Ranch: The Land Trust has been working with our restoration partners since 2014 on restoring portions of Whychus Creek that flow through Whychus Canyon Preserve and Rimrock Ranch. We completed the first phase of restoration at Whychus Canyon Preserve in 2016. The second phase of restoration started in 2021, focusing on the portion of the creek that runs through Rimrock Ranch, and was completed in 2023. Planning is currently underway to complete the final portion of the restoration on the remainder of the creek at Whychus Canyon Preserve. The Land Trust is working with our partners at the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council to apply for restoration design funds. Implementation would begin no earlier than 2028. Learn more about these projects.
  
  
• Willow Springs Preserve: The Land Trust is collaborating with our restoration partners at the UDWC on a low-tech approach that uses natural processes to restore the creek over several years. Phase one was completed in 2022, and the second phase in 2024. The project team is currently working to assess impacts from this winter’s high flow events to determine how to implement the final phase. Remaining project work will likely be phased, with some limited activities in 2026 and the majority of work in 2027. Learn more about the Willow Springs Preserve Restoration.

Learn more:

• About the Land Trust's Other Restoration Efforts