Whychus Creek fish habitat project finished

The Deschutes National Forest and Upper Deschutes Watershed Council will complete work this week on a fish habitat restoration project on Whychus Creek.

The work began at the beginning of May and is the first phase in restoring historic steelhead trout and chinook salmon habitat in Whychus Creek.

The Forest Service has reconnected historic flood channels and opened up historic areas to flooding that were closed off in the past.The new route for the creek will move flooding away from the Three Creek Lake Road and into historic channels that can handle the flooding.

While the area is not formally closed, hikers are encouraged to exercise extreme caution or remain out of the area until Friday when construction is completed.The area is one mile south of Sisters off the FS 16 Road, along the Mainline Road. Specific maps of the restoration project area are available at the front desk of the Sisters Ranger District.

The current work will be completed at the end of May and the next phase of restoration work will begin in September.This will include a bridge replacement that will conclude in summer of 2015.

For more information please contact Cari Press, 541-549-7720.