Lake Abert – State Wildlife Action Plan

Geographic boundaries of the COAs were updated for the 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan and the associated COA profiles are intended to provide additional information. Content of each COA profile is being refined and will be updated to reflect current conditions when feasible. Please help us by submitting information on Local Conservation Actions, Plans, or Potential Partners to: OCS.revision@odfw.oregon.gov.

Located in central Lake County, this COA encompasses Lake Abert, including the Lake Abert Area of Critical Environmental Concern and portions of the Abert Rim Wilderness Study Area.

Lake Abert is a hypersaline lake and, when full, the sixth largest lake in Oregon. It is an endorheic lake, which means it is located in a closed basin. Lake Abert is primarily fed by water from the Chewaucan River. It is very shallow, and provides critically important stopover habitat for migratory birds during spring and fall migration. Alkali flies and brine shrimp are adapted to this habitat and provide high quality forage for a wide variety of species reliant on this lake.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Maintain/restore alkali wetlands
Monitor and measure stream flows
Promote early detection and removal of invasive plant species
Assess impacts from climate change
Support collaborative efforts to identify broadly supported actions to meet water needs and address ecological health of Lake Abert

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Special Features

General

Abert Rim supports significant numbers of nesting raptors
Contains complex mix of open water, flowing water, playas, wet meadows, and springs
Lake Abert is the largest saline lake in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most important shorebird habitats in the intermountain West
During spring and fall migration, Lake Abert is a critically important stopover site for Wilson's Phalarope

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-03 (Lake Abert-Honey Creek area)

Protected Areas

Abert Rim
Abert Rim Wilderness Study Area
Lake Abert
Lake Abert Area Of Critical Environmental Concern

Specialized Local Habitats

Cliff and Rim Rock
Inland Dunes
Springs

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Key Habitats

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land that were formed through geological processes, such as glacial scouring, tectonic movements, volcanic activity and river meander cutoffs. In Oregon, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes. Depth is not a reference for characterization of …

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.