In a remote and rugged river canyon in eastern Oregon, Western Rivers Conservancy has successfully conserved the 453-acre Elk Creek Ranch on Elk and Crow creeks, crucial headwater streams for two of Oregon’s wild and scenic rivers: Joseph Creek and the Grande Ronde River. Joseph Creek feeds into the Grande Ronde, which in turn flows into the Snake River, once one of the most productive salmon streams in the world.
Given its combination of excellent habitat and superb recreational values, Elk Creek Ranch has long been a target for conservation. Working in partnership with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, WRC purchased the property in March 2021. After securing funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, we were able to convey the ranch to the Forest Service this spring, permanently protecting the property and guaranteeing access into a popular part of the national forest forever.
Elk Creek Ranch lies roughly 13 miles west of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and 11 miles northwest of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve, one of the most intact native grasslands left in the West. To the south lies the Eagle Cap Wilderness, the crown jewel of the Wallowa Mountains.
The wild character of the property and the clean, cold water that Elk and Crow creeks provide create prime habitat for fish and wildlife. The stretches of these creeks that flow through the ranch are designated Critical Habitat for threatened Snake River Basin steelhead, and both streams are home to native redband trout. The area is also considered priority habitat for Rocky Mountain elk.
Western pearlshell mussels, a Forest Service sensitive species that can filter up to five gallons of water a day through its gills and live up to 70 years, are found in Crow Creek. These so-called “livers of the rivers” are also a culturally important species for Native American tribes throughout the region.
While important for fish and wildlife, Elk Creek Ranch is also a key access point for recreationists. Our efforts will ensure continued access to hiking, camping, hunting and wildlife viewing in the Wallowa Valley Ranger District and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Forest Service Road 4620 crosses part of the property and provides the primary access to four established campgrounds, several dispersed campgrounds, over 15 trails and a popular overlook.
This part of Oregon is also important to the Nez Perce Tribe. Joseph Creek is named for Chief Joseph, the iconic leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce, which used the Joseph Creek canyon as a travel corridor.
Now that we have conveyed the property to the U.S. Forest Service, the steelhead spawning habitat in Elk and Crow creeks, along with the property’s wildlife habitat and public access, are protected in perpetuity.
