South John Day River, COA 171

COA ID: 171

VIEW DATA LAYERS IN COMPASS.
South John Day River and surrounding habitat in the Blue Mountains ecoregion. Photo Credit: Keith Kohl, ODFW

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.

Includes the mainstem John Day River and surrounding high quality fish and wildlife habitat. Southern part of area begins near Silvies River and continues north to the confluence near the town of Kimberly.

Recommended Conservation Actions

  • Maintain or enhance in-channel watershed function, connection to riparian habitat, flow and hydrology
  • Maintain and/or initiate shrub-steppe restoration and management
  • Maintain or restore riparian habitat and ecological function; ensure sufficient complexity for wildlife
  • Restore and maintain complex, continuous sage habitat

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

  • Eastern Oregon Bird Conservation Plan

Potential Partners

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • US Forest Service

Special Features

General

  • Adjacent to federally designated wilderness lands and the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
  • Provides an important migratory corridor for salmon

Previously Associated With

  • 2006 COA ID BM-04 (Ochoco Mountains area)
  • 2006 COA ID BM-05 (Picture Gorge - John Day River)
  • 2006 COA ID BM-08 (Silver Creek - Emigrant Creek)

Protected Areas

  • Aldrich Mountain Wilderness Study Area
  • Black Canyon Wilderness
  • Cedar Grove
  • Cedar Grove Recreation Area
  • Hog Creek Bark Beetle Hazard Plots
  • John Day Fossil Beds
  • Malheur National Forest
  • Ochoco National Forest
  • Phillip P. Schneider Wildlife Area
  • Prineville District

Ecoregions

    Key Habitats

      Species of Greatest Conservation Need