Little Louse Canyon – 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 Southeastern Malheur County, this western extent of this COA includes High Peak and Battle Mountain; the eastern edge is found close to Louse Creek; its northern extent is approximately five miles north of Big Antelope Creek – before its confluence with the Owyhee River; and the southern border includes the upper reaches of Big Antelope Creek. The COA includes the Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area and the Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness Study Area.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Manage sagebrush habitats to achieve and maintain habitat goals of the Oregon Sage Grouse Strategy
Promote early detection and removal of invasive plants with an emphasis on unique high quality grasslands
Protect and/or restore riverine canyons and riparian zones.

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Abundant springs
Complex and continuous sagebrush habitats
Sage Grouse Low Density and Core Habitat Areas

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-14 (Upper Owyhee Uplands)

Protected Areas

Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness Study Area

Specialized Local Habitats

Cliffs and Rim Rock
Native Perennial Bunchgrasses
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 …