The Rimrock Ranch stream restoration started in 2021 and finished in 2023. The first phase in 2021 focused on restoring a 1/2 mile section of Whychus Creek at the southern end of Rimrock Ranch. Efforts in 2023 focused on restoring 1.5 miles of Whychus Creek (from phase 1 downstream to nearly the end of property). Highlights from both phases included:

• Floodplain shaping: To reconnect Whychus Creek to its historic floodplain, construction crews removed soil in some places to bring the elevation of the valley floor down, and also added soil/materials in other places to bring portions of Whychus Creek up and fill in the old channel. In all about 70,000 cubic yards of soil and rock were moved!
• Newly created habitat: More than 59 acres of the valley floor was made accessible to water flows to provide habitat for fish and wildlife. 
• Maintaining habitat: During the floodplain shaping, islands of mature vegetation were left throughout the valley floor to provide habitat for fish and wildlife and help naturally re-seed the restoration area. Pools were also left in the otherwise filled Whychus Creek channel, and new pools were created throughout the floodplain (number of new pools increased from 35 to 119!). Both will provide near-term habitat for fish as the restoration evolves.
• Woody debris: 6,100 whole trees (some whole and many with root wads intact) were placed across the valley floor to help slow water and reduce erosion as the restoration project evolves. This woody debris also gives geomorphic processes like sediment aggradation (building up) and degradation (removal) to settle in before the creek chooses its preferential paths. Woody debris also provides important habitat for fish and wildlife. Learn more here.
• Water release: Water from Whychus Creek was released out onto the valley floor in a phased approach. The restoration area was broken into segments and creek water was released slowly into each segment to reduce the amount of erosion. The water release looked like a sponge absorbing water, vs a hose spraying water out! Once the water was released, the old creek channel was filled and became part of the valley floor.
• Planting, lots of planting! In all 96,500 plants were planted in the restoration area over three years. Native seed was also spread.
• Monitoring: We’ll be monitoring this restored section of creek in coming years to measure and document a variety of physical and biological parameters.

The restoration of Whychus Creek at Rimrock Ranch is just one way we can all work together to care for Central Oregon’s lands and waters and help create local, natural climate solutions. This project will help Whychus Creek provide clean, cold water during our hot summer months (when it is most needed), increase plant diversity, and provide a wide variety of wildlife habitat for creatures from fish to songbirds to elk. We look forward to watching Whychus Creek and the surrounding valley evolve and flourish! 

The Whychus Creek restoration is a collaborative effort with a variety of partners including: Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation, Portland General Electric, and Bureau of Land Management.

Learn more:

• Why are we restoring Whychus Creek and who is doing the restoration
• Why meadows are so important to the health of Whychus Creek