2025 South Fork Crooked River Water Well Installation

About the place

Oregon’s high desert is home to a diversity of Indigenous people, including the Northern Paiute, Shoshone, Bannock, Wasco, Warm Springs, Yahooskin, Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla peoples organized within several Tribes. These include the Burns Paiute Tribe, Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, the Klamath Tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and others.

The South Fork Crooked River is a major tributary of Central Oregon’s Crooked River. The Crooked River and its tributaries were once a major spawning ground for migratory fish such as spring Chinook salmon, steelhead trout and Pacific lamprey. Non-migratory fish such as redband trout and bull trout were also abundant. While dams blocked migratory fish passage to the South Fork, redband trout still survive in the watershed and our restoration efforts aim to improve habitat conditions.

About the stewardship work

This project lays the groundwork for restoring a mile-long stretch of the South Fork Crooked River. We will install water table wells to measure soil moisture at potential planting sites and dig test pits to assess soil conditions and suitability for planting. The work conducted on this trip is a critical first step to ensuring that future restoration will be successful and that trees we plant here in the future will have enough water to survive.

The work each day will involve walking about a half-mile to our work site, where we will use post-hole diggers and shovels to dig holes to around three and a half feet deep, the same depth as future plantings. We will examine the soil from each hole and record data on its character to inform future planting locations. Finally, we will install water table wells that will allow for future sustained seasonal monitoring and measurement of the water table.

If you’ve ever wondered what work goes on behind the scenes in preparation for ONDA’s riparian restoration projects, this trip is for you!

Trip timeline

• Tuesday April 29, 4-6 p.m.: Meet at the primitive campsite to set up camp and have dinner. After dinner, we’ll have an orientation about the upcoming work.
• Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, -May 1, 8 a.m.: Travel to the work site and complete planned work. Volunteers should plan to be away from camp all day.
• Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, -May 1, 4 p.m.: Return to camp to rest, cook and explore. One evening we will also have a question and answer session about our riparian restoration strategy for the watershed.
• Friday, May 2, 8 am: No work is scheduled. After breakfast, we will break camp and head home.

Camp

We will be car-camping at a primitive site located along the South Fork Crooked River with no running water or toilet facilities. The access road is an unmaintained dirt road, but a high, clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is not required.  Low-clearance vehicles, driven carefully, will suffice (in good weather).

Difficulty

Level 4

The physical demands of this trip are strenuous. Access to the work area requires a minimum hike of a half-mile over rough, slippery ground while carrying daypacks and hand tools. Digging and pike-pounding requires arm and grip strength. Wading across the shallow river on slick stones may be requested of some participants. However, there will be ample opportunity for breaks and sharing of work throughout the day.

Participant responsibilities

Participants are responsible for providing their own food, water and camping gear as well as transportation to and from the trip. Sturdy off-trail ankle-high boots are required for this trip. We recommend bringing your own work gloves to provide a comfortable fit, but it is not required. Lightweight shoes for crossing the river are recommended in addition to hiking boots.

Gear provided

ONDA will provide all of the training, tools and supplies required for the work. Extra gloves and eye protection will be available if needed. ONDA will also provide some group camping equipment such as pop-up shade/rain tents, extra tables and chairs, and a latrine.

Registration

An ONDA registration application and medical form are required for this trip. Check the box next to each trip you would like to attend.

Join Waitlist

You will receive a confirmation email within 2 weeks of submitting your registration form. This email will provide information regarding trips where you are a confirmed participant and trips that are full where you have been placed on the waitlist.

Six weeks before the start of the trip, the trip leader will send out an email reconfirming participation. Based on responses, any open spaces will be filled with people from the waitlist.

Three weeks before the trip start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive driving instructions, carpooling options, maps, and additional information in an email sent by the trip leader.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the trip leader.