Fish Creek Rim Research Natural Area

Lakeview District , BLM

Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion

Cell(s):

• Big sagebrush-bitterbrush/Idaho fescue
• Low sagebrush/Idaho fescue scabland
• Mountain mahogany/mountain big sagebrush, and bitterbrush
• Snowbrush and bitter cherry shrub complex

Access by gravel and low standard dirt roads

The 525 ha Fish Creek Rim RNA flanks the western edge of the Warner Valley 6.5 air km north of Adel, in Lake County, Oregon, with elevations ranging from 1833 to 2057 m. The RNA protects upper elevation shrub-grasslands, with extensive stands of mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) in the rimrock. Shrublands are dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus), and bittercherry (Prunus emarginata). Scattered western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula) scabland, and small stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and white fir (Abies concolor) complete the vegetative cover. The white fir is a disjunct population. Several Bureau sensitive plants species grow in the area, including nodding melic (Melica stricta) and dwarf lousewort (Pedicularis centranthera). Annual precipitation in this cold desert climate averages 46 cm. Soils are Felcher-Rock outcrop-Riddleranch and Carryback-Hart. The area provides habitat for California bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope, as well as winter range for mule deer. There are sage-grouse leks within the RNA and the area is used throughout the year by the grouse. Numerous cultural resource sites have been found in the Fish Creek Rim area. Livestock grazing is allowed; however, the effects of this activity are being monitored to determine how they affect the values of the RNA. This RNA is completely within the Fish Creek Rim Wilderness Study Area.