Three Forks – 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.

This is the most southeastern COA in Oregon and shares borders with Idaho and Nevada. It includes significant sections of the main stem Owyhee River, the Middle Fork Owyhee River, Little Owyhee River, and Toppin Creek. Its northern extent includes the three forks confluence, and its western border abuts the Little Louse Canyon COA (205) and includes the Fort McDermitt Reservation. Areas of special biological interest include Lookout Butte Wilderness Study Area, Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness Study Area, and the Toppin Creek Butte Area of Critical Environmental Concern/Research Natural 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 playas for Fairy Shrimp and other rare animal and plant species
Protect riverine canyons and riparian zones.

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Contains one of the largest remaining blocks of high quality sagebrush habitat in the Oregon.
Sage Grouse Low Density and Core Habitat Areas
Toppin Creek Butte ACEC/RNA was established by the BLM to protect high quality sagebrush steppe communities and habitat for sage grouse and other landbirds

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID NBR-14 (Upper Owyhee Uplands)

Protected Areas

Fort McDermitt Reservation
Lookout Butte Wilderness Study Area
Main Owyhee River
North Fork Owyhee
Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Toppin Creek Butte Area of Critical Environmental Concern/Research Natural Area
Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness Study Area
West Little Owyhee

Specialized Local Habitats

Alpin-Montane Wet Meadows
Ash Beds
Cliff and Rim Rock
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 …