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Sprague Valley Restoration

A Pilot Project to Boost Ag Resilience

UKBAC’s current efforts center on the Sprague River Valley, where restoration planning is underway for 80 miles of the main stem river and 26 miles of tributaries. These efforts aim to improve water quality, restore habitat, and support fish species critical to Tribal culture and ecosystem health – all while evaluating impacts on agricultural productivity, researching funding to offset potential losses, and involving participating landowners in design and implementation.

Photo courtesy of Klamath Watershed Partnership.

Tributary Restoration

To date, we have completed 14.5 miles of tributary restoration using low-tech, process-based restoration (LT-PBR) led by Trout Unlimited and by Klamath Watershed Partnership, installed on private lands owned by willing Sprague River Valley ranchers. This work will continue as additional funds become available.

Examples of low-tech, process-based restoration projects on a Sprague River tributary.

Before: 22 July 2025

Before: 22 July 2025

After: 06 August 2025

After: 06 August 2025

Photos courtesy of Trout Unlimited.

Low-Tech Process Based Restoration BDA spring runoff overflow

Low-Tech Process Based Restoration BDA spring runoff overflow

Low-Tech Process Based Restoration channel spanning BDA and caging

Low-Tech Process Based Restoration channel spanning BDA and caging

Photos courtesy of Klamath Watershed Partnership.

Sprague River Restoration Design

UKBAC has hired Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) to conduct advanced flow analysis and channel design to guide restoration planning on key portions of the South Fork Sprague River. This work will ensure we understand river dynamics accurately and that any restoration work will create optimal long-term ecological function and support agricultural resilience. The design process carefully considers both the positive and potential negative impacts of restoration on agricultural productivity, while addressing long-standing challenges related to habitat degradation and water quality to balance restoration goals with ag viability.

Agricultural Resilience

We will provide the infrastructure to qualify the most beneficial projects for funding, whether it be public or private funds. The infrastructure will include introductions to parties who will be important to the project’s success, initial project design aid, science resources, modeling resources, scaling resources, grant writing, engineering, publicity, and internet positioning.