This plan updates the 2015-2021 Strategic Action Plan for Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative, first drafted in 2015. HBWC partners are dedicated to addressing the complex problems of Harney Basin lakes and wetlands, a Closed Lakes Basin along the Pacific Highway in rural Harney County Oregon.

Harney Basin Wetlands Initiative changes its name to Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative

While the proliferation of carp has received much attention over the years, a new two-year study will look at the lack of emergent vegetation and try to determine the best way to foster the growth of bulrushes, cattails and other vegetation in Malheur Lake with the end goal being clearer water that is more attractive to birds and other wildlife.

The Mesocosm Project will experiment with ways to alter the carp, wind action and nutrients in the water.

Invasive common carp are wreaking havoc on the health of Malheur Lake and the carp round-up is one measure to reduce their population.

The Harney Basin Wetlands Initiative (HBWI) strives to sustain wet meadows by supporting the traditional practice of flood irrigation. HBWI works with private landowners to encourage the continued use of flood irrigation by addressing infrastructure issues.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been helping America’s private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935.

In January, once they deplete the feed in their wintering locale, Ross’s geese start to head north, and the Harney Basin is a major stopover for them. Located in the eastern part of the Pacific Flyway, the Harney Basin’s wetland habitat is a key part of the Ross’s geese migratory journey.

As the results from a multi-year groundwater study become available from the Oregon Water Resources Department and the United States Geological Survey, Harney County residents are learning more about the unique geology and the basin water budget and what it might mean for the future of groundwater use the basin.

There are many urban dwellers who haven’t experienced the wide open spaces of the Harney Basin, but there are also those who have and appreciate its importance and are working together with Harney County residents to find solutions to issues facing the birds and the wetlands.

Where land and water are concerned, the Harney Basin Wetlands Initiative, has brought together a diverse group of voices to talk about how to manage the abundant natural resources in our corner of the basin.

As water fluctuates across the west and land managers turn to more efficient means of watering crops, the flood-irrigated wet meadows in Harney County have become an even more vital place for birds to rest and recharge on their way north.

The Tyler and Sweek dams on the Silvies River near Burns provide critical infrastructure for private landowners who use flood irrigation to produce hay and forage for their livestock operations. They also play a key role in sustaining seasonal wetlands with continental importance for migratory birds.

Located within Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Malheur Lake is a critical stopover for more than 300 species of waterfowl and other birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway—an aerial highway between North and South America.

Giving high school and college students real-world experiences in natural resource jobs and to further the goals of the Harney Basin Wetlands Initiative.

Malheur Lake is a critical stopover for more than 300 species of waterfowl migrating along the Pacific Flyway—an aerial highway between North and South America.

Flooding meadows for irrigation takes intentional infrastructure and a mix of the right topography, a source of surface water at the right time of year and planning.

The culture of Harney County has been described as “full contact citizenship” as people of this county put in time and effort every day to make Harney County a place we’re all proud to call home.

Research findings to help understand how Common Carp can potentially be controlled.

Findings following several days of research at Malheur Lake on the impact wind has in creating turbid water.

What is lake turbidity and why carp AND wind are its cause.

The results of Intermountain West Joint Venture's research and workshops to gain a deeper understanding of factors influencing ranchers who flood irrigate and how these factors interrelate.

A look at what happens when carp are taken away from the Harney Basin environment.