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Mission Statement of Purpose
The council recognizes that local economic and ecological prosperity is dependant upon the current and future availability and quality of water; therefore the Harney County Watershed Council is committed to this three part goal; 1. Determine the health of individual watersheds or watershed segments, 2. Retain the health of high quality watersheds, 3. Restore and enhance those watersheds, or portions thereof that can be improved.
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Harney County Watershed Council |
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A Glimpse of the Basin
The Harney Malheur Lakes Basin watershed covers a little over 6 million acres in the southeast portion of Oregon. It is made up of several closed basins, with none of our waters finding their way to the Pacific Ocean, and thus we do not have any migrating anadromous fish species. The basin is home to Lahontan Cutthroat and Red Band Trout.
The average elevation for the basin is 4200' with the highest point being the top of Steens Mountain, which is 9780'. While most of the basin is arid high desert uplands, approximately 600,000 acres of the northern portion is forested. Given our elevation and the common occurrence of frost at any time during the short growing season, cattle and hay are the main commodities grown in the basin.
The Basin is home to abundant herds of mule deer, elk and antelope. Wild horse herds are managed by the BLM. Approximately 7000 residents live with in the basin. Most of the basin is utilized for agriculture, with 73% of the lands being administered by Federal and State Agencies. The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 187,000 acre Malheur National Wildlife Refuge at the base of Steens Mountain, which is visited each year by approximately 60,000 tourists. |
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No living thing exists without water…
Harney County Watershed Council is at work to protect and enhance our most valuable asset… Healthy Watersheds |
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Monthly Meetings Opened to the Public
3rd Tuesday
5:30 PM
Eastern Or Ag Research Center
67826-A Hwy 205 Burns, OR
Unless otherwise published |
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Harney Malheur Lakes Basin |
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Harney County Watershed Council |
What is a Watershed Council?Watershed Councils are local, volunteer groups established to improve the conditions of watersheds in their area.
The Oregon legislature authorized the creation of non-regulatory watershed councils. They offer local residents the opportunity to independently evaluate watershed conditions and identify opportunities for coordination and cooperation. Through the councils, partnerships between residents, local state, and federal agency staff and other groups can be developed.
Through these partnerships and the resulting integration of local efforts, the state's watersheds can be protected and enhanced. For information about the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) activities to protect and improve Oregon watersheds, click here. |
What is a Watershed ?
Where ever you are, you are standing/sitting in one. A watershed in the area drained by a distinct stream system and separated from other similar systems by ridge top boundaries. Watersheds catch and store precipitation, releasing the stored water to stream channels. "Ridge top to Ridge top".
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Now available— on DVD
“The Quiet Invasion… managing juniper in Eastern Oregon”
Call today to order a copy |
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Produced in partnership with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Harney County Court, Burns BLM, & Eastern OR Ag Research Center |
