Residents learn about Squaw Creek problems

Ryan Houston (L.) discusses Squaw Creek restoration with ornithologist Norma Funai. photo by Conrad Weiler

Ryan Houston took his audience on a 38-mile virtual tour of Squaw Creek at last week's Central Oregon community College Lunch and Learn session.

Running from the Three Sisters Wilderness through Sisters, out to Alder Springs and finally into the Deschutes River, the creek's course is both literally and figuratively difficult. Its name is no longer politically correct; its fish populations have dwindled and its flows are diverted.

"This is an impaired creek under Federal 303D standards, that needs help," said Houston, the executive director of the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.

"Over a 12-month period, the temperatures rise and water flow falls respectively," Houston told his large audience at Sisters Episcopal Church meeting hall.

The audience was a mix of some people who have water rights on Squaw Creek and other residents of the area.

"The geology of the area has porous rock over low permeability rock," said Houston. "Thus, the spring-fed nature of Squaw Creek when water pops out from springs along its length. These springs, with colder water, are good for pockets of fish."

Water for irrigation purposes is diverted and flows can reach near zero during summer months, leading to less than ideal conditions for fish survival.

Lack of water isn't the only issue.

"Water temperature is best for native trout under 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually, Squaw Creek would run temperatures between 42 and 50 degrees F. but summer temperatures after diversions could run as high as 77 degrees F.," said Houston.

Natural yearly flows in Squaw Creek range from 50 to 120 cubic feet per second (cfs). Modified flows due to irrigation water right diversions can lower these flows to near 0 cfs. Water diversion can vary between 83 and 93 percent and in the open canals evaporative loss is a problem, according to Houston.

Houston diagrammed a partial solution: piping water in the diversion canals.

"This would save nearly 50 percent of the water lost through evaporation," said Houston. "If this 'lost water' could be equally divided between irrigation projects and Squaw Creek it could significantly aid the flow in Squaw Creek."

Some piping projects have already been started in the McKenzie, Cloverdale, Fryrear and Thompson Ditch areas.

"We're hopeful that these restoration efforts will benefit agricultural users, fisheries and recreation," said Houston.

Houston hopes to reach a summer water flow of 20 cfs, or about 10 times what is currently seen. Fish biologists believe that a stream flow of 40 cfs would be better to support fish populations of steelhead, Chinook salmon and bull trout. None have been seen over the last 30 years.