Project Titles:

• Rehabilitate Unit 8 Water System (FFS #R1BG)
• Rehabilitate Page Spring Dam (FFS #R1BF)
• Replace New Buckaroo Dam (FFS #R1BH)
• Replace Fish Passage/Screens (FFS #R1GF)

State: Oregon

Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has overseen the completion of a series of improvement projects at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects were completed using $3.86 million in ARRA funding.

The majority of the funds ($2.98 million) were used to replace and improve fish passage and screens at Grain Camp, Busse, Sodhouse and Dunn dams. The fish passage and screen work spanned 22 months and addressed fisheries issues at three critical locations on the Blitzen River.

“This project has improved movement of native fish through 20 miles of the Refuge and created opportunities to limit movement of non-native fish,” Malheur Deputy Project Leader Chad Kerges said. “This helps the Refuge to advance its goals of improving conditions for native fish, reducing invasive fish species, and the protection of Refuge water rights.”

Nearly $600,000 will be used to replace the deteriorated, 45-foot dam at the New Buckaroo site. The remainder of the funds will be used to rehabilitate Page Spring dam, and for the rehabilitation of 2.8 miles of the Refuge’s water delivery system.

“The New Buckaroo Dam project removes a barrier and allows native fish movement within a 15-mile section of the Blitzen River,” Karges said. “The project at the Page Springs Dam enables the Refuge to maintain native fish passage while diverting water to support 320 bird species. It also provides flood protection for the Bureau of Land Management’s Page Springs Campground.”

The rehabilitation of the Unit 8 water system restores the effectiveness of a 2.7-miles section of water delivery system, providing water to 5,000 acres of habitat supporting both bird and mammal species.

“These projects together enables the Refuge to advance the goals of maintaining critical wildlife habitat, while providing recreational opportunities for over 60,000 Refuge visitors annually,” Karges said.

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Originally posted 07/12/2010
Updated 07/13/2010
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Updated 04/18/2011
Page Completed 05/05/2011