"Between 2 Watersheds"

A mapped overview, with summaries

by Robyn Schreiber

May 2018

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Oak Creek Watershed. Robyn Eggs Photography.

Upper Willamette Land Uses

The Willamette Valley is nestled in the fertile volcanic soils of the Pacific North West, in Oregon. Most oregonians live in the valley, which includes the large city of Portland. The dominant crop is grass seed and turf, for exporting around the world. Just hundreds of years ago, the American Indians managed the valley as an oak savanna, for hunting. Now, microbreweries, distilleries and wineries are opening up each summer, for tourists to taste, renowned across the world.

Agriculture

Grass seed is a dominant crop in the valley.

It is the 6th most valuable crop in the state, says Portland State University and the Oregon Historical Society (2018). Many seed companies dot the I-5 interstate. Trucks haul rail and ship-worthy cargo containers, full of grass seed, to the port of Portland, for shipment overseas. It is the volcanic soil and high precipitation that make this region agriculturally affluent. New wine country is here.

Wine Map

http://willamettewines.com/about-the-valley/regional-map/

Residential

The region’s population is predicted increase dramatically.

“About 96 percent of the Willamette Valley ecoregion is privately-owned, presenting challenges to conservation efforts,” says the Oregon Conservation Strategy. Urban sprawl can have a detrimental effect on rainfall. The three largest cities in the state are in the Willamette Valley, and growing. With a desirable climate and recreational activities abounding, the draw to move here and start up a microbrewery is quite alluring.

Forestry

Almost all state-owned timber sales go through a bidding process, as regulated by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the top 13th commodity is Christmas trees, valued at $90,791,000 (2017). And prices are going up, informs the Salem Statesman Journal, as more and more are cut down every year. Planting new trees and proper management are essential.

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Surprise Valley Land Uses

Surprise Valley rests in the upper Northeastern part of the Great Basin. High and dry climate. What a surprise when you come down the pass. There is actually a stop sign. And through that, Nevada stretches out, to the East. The road turns to dirt and gravel, just less than 10 miles away. Last stop for gas for 50 miles, on the way out to the historic Burning Man event.

Grazing

Long-range cattle roam the valley, between the Warner and Hayes mountain ranges.

The valley is about 70 miles long (Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce, 2012). Landholders lease the high-desert range to cattle owners, because of the short season. Most of the precipitation comes from the snow melt in the Winter, and the ranchers will watch for it to start to melt. But don't plant too early, or risk a second freeze coming through and killing off young growth. The cattle are favored by late Spring. The ranges are flush with new grass and shrubs. By late summer, it is hot and barren. Alkaline dust picks up in little dirt devils (mini tornadoes) tearing across the dry lake in a sunny spectacle.

Agriculture

The other main income is from alfalfa hay.

With two high mountain ranges, blocking most rainfall, this climate is high and dry, compared to the lower Willamette Valley. A short growing season means only one swath of hay. Potatoes will grow until the first frost. And wild herbs dot the Western Hayes mountains. Most fruit and vegetables are imported from the nearest city - either Reno, NV or Klamath Falls, OR.

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Works Cited

• Frankenberger, J. Land Use & Water Quality. Retreived from https://engineering.purdue.edu/SafeWater/watershed/landuse.html#top
• Oregon Conservation Strategy. Willamette Valley. Retrieved from http://oregonconservationstrategy.org/ecoregion/willamette-valley/
• Oregon Department of Agriculture. (2017). Oregon Agriculture Facts and Figures. Retrieved from https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Oregon/Publications/facts_and_figures/facts_and_figures.pdf
• Oregon Department of Forestry. Timber Sales. Retrieved from http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Working/pages/TimberSales.aspx
• Oregon Encyclopedia. (2018). Grass seed industry. Portland State University and the Oregon Historical Society. Retrieved from https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/grass_seed_industry/#.WvpErMhG2T8
• Salem Statesman Journal. (2017). Christmas tree prices expected to rise amid shortages. Oregon Live. The Oregonian. Retrieved from http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/10/christmas_tree_prices_expected.html
• Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce. (2012). Welcome to Surprise Valley, California! Retrieved from http://www.surprisevalleychamber.com/

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(This post took 4 hours to research and compile, and 1 hour to assemble)

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**Copyright May 28th 2018. Robyn Schreiber. Robyn Eggs Photography. All Rights Reserved. Not for republication.