Muddy Creek Restoration Project

 The Muddy Creek Restoration Project is a collaborative watershed restoration effort led by the Lake County Umbrella Watershed Council (LCUWC) to improve stream function, fish passage, riparian habitat, and water management while supporting the long-term viability of agricultural operations. The project is located in the Goose Lake Basin and focuses on restoring habitat for Goose Lake redband trout, a state-listed Species of Concern, while maintaining irrigation infrastructure for local ranching operations.  

The project was developed to achieve multiple watershed objectives:

• Restore fish passage at irrigation infrastructure. 
• Improve stream connectivity and aquatic habitat. 
• Reduce streambank erosion and stabilize channels. 
• Enhance riparian vegetation and floodplain function. 
• Support sustainable irrigation while protecting water resources. 
• Increase watershed resilience to drought and climate change.

$890,237 in funding support from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Water Resources, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, Open Rivers Legacy Fund, and US Fish and Wildlife. Objectives Complete: 

• Construction of a 75-foot rock-ramp roughened channel to provide fish passage around an irrigation reservoir spillway. 
• Construction for two fish bypass channels for fish passage. 
• Restoration of approximately 1.5 miles of stream channel below the spillway. 
• Reopening access to nearly 6 miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat for Goose Lake redband trout. 
• Streambank stabilization and riparian vegetation improvements. 
• Water management improvements that allow continued irrigation while meeting fish passage requirements