Middle Owyhee River Area – Oregon Conservation Strategy

COA_186_Middle Owyhee River Area_Philip Milburn_ODFW — Photo Credit: Philip Milburn, ODFW

This COA is located in the northeast quarter of Malheur County and abuts the Crowley COA to the west. It encompasses Owyhee Lake and River from just east of Mitchell Butte (near the city of Adrian) south to Greeley Bar. Continuing south and east, the COA includes the rugged landscape of Mahogany Mountain, Jordan Craters, Spring Mountain, and Table Mountain as well as the Cow Lakes before ending at the Lava Bends and Jorden Creek at its southern terminus.

COA ID: 186

Recommended Conservation Actions

Manage water flows to maintain or enhance wetland habitats
Restore and maintain complex, continuous sage habitat
Restore and maintain riparian habitat and ecological function

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Columbia Spotted Frog breeding sites
High quality Mountain Mahogany and Sagebrush communities in the Mahogany Ridge Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which provides important habitat for many landbird species
Owyhee Lake and River
Unique volcanic ashbeds provide habitat for rare endemic plant species

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-13 (Middle Owyhee River area)

Protected Areas

Blue Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Clarks Butte Wilderness Study Area
Coal Mine Basin Research Natural Area
Dry Creek Buttes Wilderness Study Area
Dry Creek Gorge Area Of Critical Environmental Concern
Dry Creek Wilderness Study Area
Hammond Hill Sand Hills
Honeycombs Research Natural Area
Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area
Jordan Craters Area Of Critical Environmental Concern
Jordan Craters Wilderness Study Area
Lake Owyhee State Park
Leslie Gulch
Lower Owyhee Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Mahogany Ridge Research Natural Area
Main Owyhee River
Owyhee Below Dam
Owyhee Breaks Wilderness Study Area
Owyhee Reservoir
Owyhee Views
Owyhee Views Area Of Critical Environmental Concern
Slocum Creek Wilderness Study Area

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.