Camas Creek

Water Quality for Agriculture Program

Planning Phase 1990-1995....................................................................................... Implementation Phase 1997- 2010

A state funded program to assess the land use problems that were contributing to the sedimentation in waterways in the Camas Soil Conservation District began in 1990. A resource inventory was conducted and four main waterways were identified as contributing the major portion of sediment downstream, eventually ending up in Magic Reservoir. Those creeks, Willow, Elk, Soldier and Corral, each flow into Camas Creek before entering Magic Reservoir.The Camas Creek Water Quality Project Implementation Phase began in 1997 and since that time, many Best Management Practices have been put "on the ground", cost-shared with the landowners through this state program. At upper left, a head cut on Edwards Gulch in 1997 was healed with rock chutes, armoring and log checks, and a grazing plan that will keep cattle off the banks during susceptable times. The middle photos show the "stinger" at work, punching holes in the eroded streambank to allow the planting of dormant willows. By the following summer, the young willows had started to grow and are helping to hold the soil in place during runoff periods. Lower left demonstrates the difference improved grazing management and riparian fencing can make. This area of Soldier Creek has literally healed itself with native grasses and willows in just one year. Grazing management (not grazing exclusion) keeps the area vegetated.