2004 ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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1 2004 ANNUAL REPORT Enhancing and protecting the Upper Deschutes River watershed through collaborative projects in watershed stewardship, habitat enhancement, and community awareness. Dear Friends and Supporters, At the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, we believe that a clean, healthy Deschutes River is at the heart of our community. A healthy river contributes to our region s unique quality of life, biological diversity, growing economy, and unparalleled natural beauty. In 2004, the UDWC pursued a diversity of restoration projects, continued implementation of the Community Rivers and Water Quality Monitoring Programs, and increased efforts to build long-term organizational sustainability. All of these efforts contribute to restoring our local rivers. This year s annual report highlights some the most significant accomplishments in 2004 and provides an outline of efforts extending into 2005 and beyond. Thank you for your support as we embark upon new and continuing work in Sincerely, 2004 River Clean-up with Central Oregon Fly Fishers Water quality monitoring on Tumalo Creek (page 3) Joanne E. Richter President Ryan Houston Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS Native redband trout at Trout Creek Swamp (page 5) 2004 Annual Report Contents Page Community Rivers Program 2 Water Quality Monitoring 3 Stream and Habitat Restoration 4-5 Funding and Support 6 President Joanne Richter Directors Bob Baker Herb Blank Rod Bonacker Tracy Bowerman Tom Davis Michael Fisher Bill Friedman Mike Golden Kyle Gorman Tom Hickmann Steve Johnson Leonard Knott Dennis Luke Darcy McNamara Bill Swarts Richter Environmental Consulting Rimrock Ranch Central Oregon Fly Fishers U.S. Forest Service Paddlers of Central Oregon Water Resources Engineering Central Oregon Community College Mayor, City of Bend Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon Water Resources Dept. City of Bend Public Works Central Oregon Irrigation District Knott Farms Deschutes County Commission Natural Resources Consulting Cascade Timberlands Upper Deschutes Watershed Council P.O. Box 1812 Bend, OR Phone: (541) Fax: (541)

2 COMMUNITY RIVERS PROGRAM The Community Rivers Program seeks to increase the connection between people and the rivers that make central Oregon unique. Through hands-on restoration projects on the Deschutes River and its tributaries, the Community Rivers Program provides local citizens, students, volunteers, and landowners with educational opportunities that improve watershed knowledge and encourage informed conservation practices project partners included Central Oregon Fly Fishers, Cascade Science School, Sun Country Tours, Osprey Adventures, Bend Metro Park and Recreation District, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, and Black Butte Ranch HIGHLIGHTS Hands-on watershed education and restoration opportunities for elementary, middle school, high school, and college students from 10 local schools Nine on-the-ground restoration projects focused on restoring and enhancing riparian, wetland, and in-stream habitat conditions on the Deschutes River, Tumalo Creek, Soda Creek, and Captain Jack Creek I can t wait to grow up and come back and see what I have done to help our community and the earth. ~Michelle, age 9 I had fun planting trees along the river bank- I even named every one I planted! ~Camille, age 8 Lynch property riparian restoration project 1,500 sedge plugs planted at Farewell Bend Park Over 900 riparian plants including willow, dogwood, alder, and spiraea planted at Farewell Bend Park 2,160 willow, alder, and larch planted during phase I of the Tumalo Creek Restoration project 14 watershed education presentations and workshops delivered to raise community awareness about current conditions on the Deschutes River and its tributaries Over 350 student volunteers 110 adult volunteers A total of 1,650 volunteer hours Shane Stenhjem with the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District helps inspect plantings at the Deschutes River Trail Bank Stabilization project near First Street rapids. The project was funded by a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Page 2

3 WATER QUALITY MONITORING The UDWC Water Quality Monitoring Program spans the 2,000,000 acre watershed to gather information about the status and health of our rivers. By increasing our understanding of current conditions, priority issues, and needed actions to restore and protect clean water, the UDWC is helping guide local conservation efforts. Since the beginning of the program in 2001, 200 sites in the Deschutes River, Tumalo Creek, Squaw Creek, Metolius River, and Little Deschutes River watersheds have been included in the monitoring efforts. In 2004, the UDWC worked at 95 monitoring sites to compile and analyze water quality data, bring outreach and education to local communities, and provide technical assistance to stream restoration projects. City of Bend Water Quality Monitoring Project Through a unique partnership established in 2003, the City of Bend and the UDWC are evaluating 22 water quality parameters at 13 sites in the Deschutes River and Tumalo Creek within the Urban Growth Boundary. The monitoring is focused on providing baseline information needed to guide the City s water quality management efforts. Volunteer Stewardship In 2004, seven local volunteers adopted monitoring sites to help oversee data collection and site management. By working with these volunteers, the UDWC has been increasing community involvement, promoting awareness, and building a greater sense of stewardship for our local rivers. Volunteers came from Central Oregon Community College, Oregon State University, the Central Oregon Fly Fishers, and the community at large. In 2005, an intern from Oregon State University will help manage an expanded team of volunteers. Technical Reporting The UDWC has compiled and analyzed Ten years of water quality data in an effort to synthesize information for use in watershed management. Three reports discussing temperature and other critical parameters are available for reference at the Bend Public Library and Redmond Public Library. These data are currently being used by local resource managers to prioritize restoration efforts. Water quality monitoring with the City of Bend at Drake Park SUMMARY The UDWC managed 95 monitoring sites in 2004, with assistance from the following partners: United States Forest Service (51 sites) Upper Deschutes Watershed Council (22 sites) City of Bend (13 sites) Bureau of Land Management (3 sites) Central Oregon Irrigation District (3 sites) Crooked River National Grasslands (2 sites) Portland General Electric (1 site) All 95 sites were monitored for temperature. Thirteen of the sites were also monitored for: Dissolved oxygen ph Conductivity and total dissolved solids Turbidity Nutrients Chlorophyll-a Escherichia coli 11 volunteers provided 120 hours of assistance. Page 3

4 2004 STREAM AND HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS TUMALO CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT Whole trees are used to create log jams and other structures that provide natural stream stability and improved fish habitat. Since naturally occurring woody material had been removed during salvage logging in 1980, Tumalo Creek has continued to erode, eliminating most of the valuable fish habitat. The upper reach of Tumalo Creek, located 10 miles west of Bend off of Skyliners Road, was consumed by severe wildfire in The fire, combined with subsequent salvage logging, left three miles of the creek without in-stream woody material or riparian vegetation, which greatly decreased channel stability. Over the last 20 years, the stream system has continued to unravel, with widespread erosion of the stream channel leading to loss of wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat. The UDWC has partnered with the Deschutes National Forest, Summit High School and other local groups in a three-year, $900,000 effort to restore stream stability and increase fish habitat. The project is the largest stream restoration effort in the region. Tumalo Creek restoration will continue through 2006 with funding from the National Forest Foundation, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, City of Bend, and the Deschutes Mitigation and Enhancement Fund. Summit High School is providing all project survey and monitoring as part of a science course led by Mark McGarigal. FAREWELL BEND PARK HABITAT RESTORATON The Farewell Bend Park project represents an outstanding example of how the community can develop property along the river to provide a balance between landscaped park areas and more natural wetlands and riparian zones. This combination helps meet the recreational needs of the community while enhancing the integrity of the Deschutes River. Through a partnership with the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District, the UDWC is restoring 2,500 feet of Deschutes River frontage at the new Farewell Bend Park. The project, including three acres of native riparian planting and in-stream wetland restoration, focuses on improving water quality, increasing fish and wildlife habitat, and providing a long-term educational opportunity for the users of the park. Funding is provided by numerous in-kind donations and cash contributions from the Deschutes Resources Conservancy, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Deschutes Mitigation and Enhancement Fund. More than 1,300 native riparian plants were installed to improve habitat conditions in the 2,500 foot riparian corridor along the Deschutes River. Most of the planting was completed by teams of community volunteers. Page 4

5 TROUT CREEK WETLAND RESTORATION Trout Creek Wetland (also known as Trout Creek Swamp) is a unique 28- acre brown moss fen located 10 miles west of Sisters near the Three Sisters Wilderness. The wetland has historically been home to an assemblage of sundew, bladderworts, and unique brown mosses rare outside of Canada. Although the site currently supports patches of these plant communities, ditching efforts in the 1930 s have changed the hydrology of the site, resulting in draining of the wetlands, encroachment by lodgepole and the establishment of reed canary grass, a noxious weed. In an effort to reverse the effects of historic ditching, the UDWC and the USFS Sisters Ranger District have partnered on a two-year project to restore site hydrology, improve downstream habitat conditions for redband trout, control invasive weeds, and enhance available habitat for wildlife and rare wetland plants. Project implementation began in 2004 and will continue in 2005 with funding from the National Forest Foundation, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Hunters Association and the Ruffed Grouse Society. STREAM RESTORATON AT LAKE CREEK LODGE At Lake Creek Lodge, the UDWC is working with the owners to develop a restoration plan that will eliminate 600 feet of channelization and an artificial pond. The project will provide improved fish and wildlife habitat and a unique interpretive opportunity for lodge guests. The 42-acre Lake Creek Lodge property includes 600 feet of Lake Creek that was channelized in the 1930 s. Restoration design is being funded by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the lodge owners, and conducted by the U.S. Forest Service under contract to the UDWC. The project is scheduled to be implemented in Rock retaining walls will be removed and replaced with natural stream banks supporting native vegetation. The UDWC has been involved in many other projects around the region: Miller Property Riparian Restoration (Deschutes River, Bend) Lynch Property Riparian Restoration (Deschutes River, Bend) Double Eagle Ranch Riparian Fencing Project (Deschutes River, Terrebonne) Deschutes River Trail Riparian Restoration (Deschutes River, Bend) Deschutes River Clean Up (Deschutes River, Bend) Dry Canyon Tailwater Management (Central Oregon Irrigation District) Captain Jack Creek Riparian Restoration (Black Butte Ranch) Soda Creek Riparian Planting (Deschutes National Forest) Thomas Preserve Weed Management (Deschutes River, Deschutes County) Vandevert Ranch Stream Enhancement (Little Deschutes River, Sunriver) Page 5

6 FUNDING AND SUPPORT 2004 FUNDING COMMITMENTS & EXPENSES In 2004, the UDWC secured more than $800,000 in funding for local projects, representing a 10% increase from 2003 (see graphic). These funds support the on-theground restoration, educational programs, community events and the water quality monitoring efforts of the UDWC. Funding Secured in 2004 Although grants make up the largest portion of the UDWC s funding portfolio, the grantors cover broad geographic representation, from Washington D.C. to Deschutes County. As part of the UDWC s ongoing effort to build sustainable funding, the UDWC continues to seek diversity in its funding portfolio Income and Expenses Income Grants $454,005 Contract Service Income $33,895 Events $20,020 Donations $14,130 Misc. $2,664 Total Income $524,714 Expenses Contract Services $185,919 Personnel $151,966 Supplies / Materials $40,166 Occupancy $22,662 Printing $8,600 Fiscal Management $7,051 Equipment $5,862 Travel $4,959 Misc. $3,801 Postage $3,750 Depreciation $3,156 Insurance $2,992 Staff Training $380 Total Expenses $441,264 Note: A portion of the 2004 income is restricted for expenses to be incurred in Audited financial statements are available upon request. Sources of Grant Funding Secured in 2004 Funding Source Amount Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board $298,107 City of Bend $150,000 National Forest Foundation $130,790 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality $40,000 Deschutes County $22,700 Deschutes Mitigation and Enhancement Fund $20,000 Oregon Hunters Association $3,000 Central Oregon Environmental Center $250 Total $664,847 Note: A portion of the 2004 funding commitments are for project expenses in 2005 and In 2005, the UDWC will continue to diversify funding by working with the Deschutes River Conservancy and other partners to develop joint fundraising for collaborative projects. Over time, this approach will ensure that the UDWC maintains a stable funding base to support projects and programs. The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization committed to protecting and restoring clean water, healthy fisheries and overall watershed health in the 2,000,000-acre upper Deschutes River watershed. To learn more about the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, please contact us: P.O. Box 1812 Bend, OR Phone: (541) Fax: (541) Page 6