In 2019, Western Rivers Conservancy permanently conserved Cape Horn Ranch and returned desperately needed water to two critical headwater salmon streams at the source of the Middle Fork. We purchased the ranch in 2018 and conveyed it to the Salmon-Challis National Forest for protection in 2019. The ranch historically diverted up to 75 percent of the flows from Knapp Creek, which flows into Marsh Creek. Where Marsh Creek meets Bear Valley Creek, the Middle Fork is born. After conveying the land to the National Forest, we transferred the ranch’s water rights to the state of Idaho to keep these flows permanently instream for steelhead, Chinook and bull trout. Our efforts also conserved an outstanding series of alpine meadows and wetlands, where sandhill cranes nest every spring. What’s more, the project secured public access to the Cape Horn Guard Station, a backcountry outpost for cross-country skiers and firefighters.
