Protection of Riparian Area in partnership with Central Klickitat Conservation District

Klickitat County, near Goldendale


Spring Creek runs through Flying H Ranch winter grounds. Through the years an aggressive invasion of canary grass had deviated the creek from its normal flowing channel causing it to encroach on corrals and barns. In a partnership with the conservation district, the normal channel was reestablished, a bridge was built, the canary grass placed under control, and trees, shrubs along with grasses were planted along the riparian area. A fence was constructed to exclude cattle from the riparian area.


Jim Hill, owner of Flying H Ranch , Central Klickitat Conservation District (CKCD), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) South Central Team in Goldendale.


Water quality issues and creek bank erosion, along with deterioration of plant health and vitality, caused in part by cattle having free access to the riparian area.


The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) along with cost-share funding from CKCD.


The CKCD took care of the engineering part of the project; design and construction of bridge and channel. 


The creek banks are stabilized. Cattle are now kept out of the riparian area with fencing, and the invasive species canary grass has been controlled. The establishment of trees/shrubs and grasses helped to stabilize the banks and will compete with canary grass to drive it out of the riparian area. 


Sergio Paredes, Resource Conservationist, (509) 773-5822, ext. 110

NRCS, Summer 2008

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