Three Forks, COA 206

Photo Credit: Philip Milburn, ODFW

This is the most southeastern COA in Oregon and shares borders with Idaho and Nevada. It includes significant sections of the main stem Owyhee River, the Middle Fork Owyhee River, Little Owyhee River, and Toppin Creek. Its northern extent includes the three forks confluence, and its western border abuts the Little Louse Canyon COA (205) and includes the Fort McDermitt Reservation. Areas of special biological interest include Lookout Butte Wilderness Study Area, Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness Study Area, and the Toppin Creek Butte Area of Critical Environmental Concern/Research Natural Area.

COA ID: 206

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

  • Contains one of the largest remaining blocks of high quality sagebrush habitat in the Oregon.
  • Sage Grouse Low Density and Core Habitat Areas
  • Toppin Creek Butte ACEC/RNA was established by the BLM to protect high quality sagebrush steppe communities and habitat for sage grouse and other landbirds

Previously Associated With

  • 2006 COA ID NBR-14 (Upper Owyhee Uplands)

Protected Areas

  • Fort McDermitt Reservation
  • Lookout Butte Wilderness Study Area
  • Main Owyhee River
  • North Fork Owyhee
  • Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area
  • Toppin Creek Butte Area of Critical Environmental Concern/Research Natural Area
  • Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness Study Area
  • West Little Owyhee

Ecoregions

Strategy Habitats

Specialized Local Habitats

  • Alpin-Montane Wet Meadows
  • Ash Beds
  • Cliff and Rim Rock
  • Springs

Strategy Species