Why do we need IMWs?
Many populations of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia Basin, where the Middle Fork is located, are federally threatened or endangered. Over the last several decades, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on attempts to restore habitat to help recover these populations. However, there is little evidence that past river restoration has achieved its objectives because of a lack of research that is designed to detect if restoration is actually having an effect.
Enter the Intensively Monitored Watershed.
What is an IMW?
Intensively Monitored Watersheds (IMWs) are long-term, large-scale research projects designed to deepen our understanding of how salmon and steelhead populations respond to river restoration.
IMWs learn what works to recover salmon, steelhead, and their habitat by concentrating rigorous, coordinated research efforts across certain watersheds in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California where restoration is taking place. Results from these watersheds can then be applied to other locations where restoration is planned.
IMWs are strategically located to maximize what we can learn. In the long term, IMWs will help communities get the most cost-benefit by focusing river restoration on the places and projects that provide the greatest benefit to fish.
You can learn more about the network of IMWs throughout the Pacific Northwest by visiting the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership.
Why was the Middle Fork chosen for an IMW?
Euroamerican settlement in the Blue Mountains brought beaver trapping, logging, grazing and fire suppression to the Middle Fork watershed. These alterations created an impoverished river that is no longer a nurturing environment for young fish to grow and thrive. Because of the high potential for the Middle Fork to provide high-quality fish habitat, efforts are now underway to restore the Middle Fork to a more natural condition. View this restoration timeline to learn about the history of the John Day River.
The Middle Fork became an IMW in 2008. In addition to its history of human alteration and high potential for restoration, this river was chosen because it has the type of fish, habitat, and restoration projects that can inform others doing similar projects in the Pacific Northwest.
Scientists are particularly interested in the Middle Fork because it is home to both steelhead trout and spring Chinook salmon. The Middle Fork’s steelhead are part of a population listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Spring Chinook populations have been declining too.
When will we know if restoration is working?
It takes many years for habitats and fish populations to respond to river restoration. The IMW has been ongoing for 10 years and preliminary results are already emerging. Monitoring shows that the quality of habitat is improving overall in the watershed. Scientists have also found that temperature is the biggest limiting factor for fish recovery.
To reduce stream temperatures, more shading is needed to cool the stream in the hottest parts of the summer. Extensive riparian plantings have occurred, and will continue to occur. Time is needed for the trees to grow-in and provide shade for the stream. In the meantime, scientists are learning about the system and refining restoration strategies based on the knowledge gained. To learn more, please read our summary of ten years of research.
How can I get involved?
Local organizations like the North Fork John Day Watershed Council and Grant County Soil and Water Conservation District are excellent sources of information about local projects, volunteer opportunities, and others ways to get hands on experience with restoration and monitoring in the area.
We encourage interested members of the public to contact us directly to learn more about how you can become involved with the Middle Fork IMW specifically.
Where can I learn more?
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region
NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership
If you have specific questions about the Middle Fork John Day IMW, please email us.
Many populations of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia Basin, where the Middle Fork is located, are federally threatened or endangered. Over the last several decades, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on attempts to restore habitat to help recover these populations. However, there is little evidence that past river restoration has achieved its objectives because of a lack of research that is designed to detect if restoration is actually having an effect.
Enter the Intensively Monitored Watershed.
What is an IMW?
Intensively Monitored Watersheds (IMWs) are long-term, large-scale research projects designed to deepen our understanding of how salmon and steelhead populations respond to river restoration.
IMWs learn what works to recover salmon, steelhead, and their habitat by concentrating rigorous, coordinated research efforts across certain watersheds in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California where restoration is taking place. Results from these watersheds can then be applied to other locations where restoration is planned.
IMWs are strategically located to maximize what we can learn. In the long term, IMWs will help communities get the most cost-benefit by focusing river restoration on the places and projects that provide the greatest benefit to fish.
You can learn more about the network of IMWs throughout the Pacific Northwest by visiting the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership.
Why was the Middle Fork chosen for an IMW?
Euroamerican settlement in the Blue Mountains brought beaver trapping, logging, grazing and fire suppression to the Middle Fork watershed. These alterations created an impoverished river that is no longer a nurturing environment for young fish to grow and thrive. Because of the high potential for the Middle Fork to provide high-quality fish habitat, efforts are now underway to restore the Middle Fork to a more natural condition. View this restoration timeline to learn about the history of the John Day River.
The Middle Fork became an IMW in 2008. In addition to its history of human alteration and high potential for restoration, this river was chosen because it has the type of fish, habitat, and restoration projects that can inform others doing similar projects in the Pacific Northwest.
Scientists are particularly interested in the Middle Fork because it is home to both steelhead trout and spring Chinook salmon. The Middle Fork’s steelhead are part of a population listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Spring Chinook populations have been declining too.
When will we know if restoration is working?
It takes many years for habitats and fish populations to respond to river restoration. The IMW has been ongoing for 10 years and preliminary results are already emerging. Monitoring shows that the quality of habitat is improving overall in the watershed. Scientists have also found that temperature is the biggest limiting factor for fish recovery.
To reduce stream temperatures, more shading is needed to cool the stream in the hottest parts of the summer. Extensive riparian plantings have occurred, and will continue to occur. Time is needed for the trees to grow-in and provide shade for the stream. In the meantime, scientists are learning about the system and refining restoration strategies based on the knowledge gained. To learn more, please read our summary of ten years of research.
How can I get involved?
Local organizations like the North Fork John Day Watershed Council and Grant County Soil and Water Conservation District are excellent sources of information about local projects, volunteer opportunities, and others ways to get hands on experience with restoration and monitoring in the area.
We encourage interested members of the public to contact us directly to learn more about how you can become involved with the Middle Fork IMW specifically.
Where can I learn more?
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region
NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership
If you have specific questions about the Middle Fork John Day IMW, please email us.
