Soldier Creek-Upper Owyhee River – 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.

The eastern edge of this COA follows the Oregon/Idaho border from the Jordan Valley area south to the North Fork Owyhee River. It then moves west and north into the Owyhee Canyon, and includes the Spring Creek watershed and the Oregon portion of the Soldier Creek watershed. Finally, the COA covers most of Antelope Reservoir and ends its northward journey near the Jordan Creek Wetlands (196) COA.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Manage sagebrush habitats to achieve and maintain habitat goals of the Oregon Sage Grouse Strategy
Promote early detection and suppression of invasive plants.
Protect riverine canyons and riparian habitats and restore ecological functions

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Big Sagebrush Steppe
Columbia Spotted Frog breeding sites
Contains complex mix of flowing water, playas, and other wetland types
Sage Grouse Low Density and Core Habitat Areas

Protected Areas

Main Owyhee River
North Fork Owyhee
Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area

Specialized Local Habitats

Cliffs and Rim Rock
Perennial Bunchgrasses
Springs
Western Juniper Woodlands and Savanna

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.