Upper South Fork Malheur Area – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Upper South Fork Malheur Area (COA 188) Photo Credit: Keith Kohl, ODFW

This COA straddles US Highway 78 southeast of Malheur Lake and provides connectivity between the Crowley (185) COA, Ten Cent Lake-Juniper Lake Area (193) COA, and the Steens Mountain High Lava Plains (192) COA. North of US Highway 78 the COA includes Malheur Cave and a section of South Fork Malheur River. South of 78 the COA encompasses Riddle Mountain, Burnt Flat, and sections of creeks and seasonal drainages fed by the northern ridge of Steens Mountain.

COA ID: 188

Recommended Conservation Actions

Maintain or restore the ecological function of riparian and associated wetlands habitats
Manage grazing to promote health sagebrush, riparian, and wetland habitats
Promote early detection and suppression of invasive weeds
Restore and maintain complex, continuous sage habitat

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Contains large areas of Sagebrush Steppe Shrublands
Sage Grouse Core Habitat Areas

Protected Areas

Kiger Mustang
Kiger Mustang Area Of Critical Environmental Concern
Rangeland
Sheepshead Mountains Wilderness Study Area
Steens Mountain Cooperative Management And Protection Area
Stonehouse Wilderness Study Area

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.