Upper Owens River Watershed

Upper Owens River Riparian Project

Development of land use and grazing strategies for the Upper Owens River was the next logical project to protect downstream water quality and quantity.  As with the other tributary projects, riparian response to management is monitored and grazing strategies amended periodically to attain project goals.

Convict Creek Riparian Project

Convict Creek began as a demonstration of how riparian habitat (streamside vegetation) will improve with good grazing strategies and land management.  The Department recognizes the need for riparian vegetation to buffer erosion and runoff into Crowley Lake in order to protect water quality.  Since it began in 1989, the project has shown tremendous results that even the grazing lessees are proud of.  In effect, the project successfully demonstrated that sustainable use (grazing) is compatible with protecting the watershed ecosystem.

McGee Creek Riparian Project

Given the success of the Convict Creek demonstration, the Department next initiated grazing strategies to develop riparian habitat on McGee Creek that is also a direct tributary to Crowley Lake.  

Mammoth Creek Riparian Project

Mammoth Creek flows through an extensive grazing area at the source of the Owens River. Because this stream is situated in the upper-most reach of the Owens River, improvement in water quality and quantity in the downstream reaches of the Owens and Crowley Lake required buffering runoff from the pastures with riparian vegetation.

Long Valley Land Management

To meet the goals of employing best management practices, to assist in improving water quality in Crowley Lake and its tributaries, and continue to deliver quality and sufficient quantities of water to downstream users, LADWP with its lessees will develop land and water management plans, implement these plans, and monitor the results of the plans in the Upper Owens River watershed in the upcoming years.  These plans will be developed so as to meet best management practices (BMP) and include plans for grazing management, recreation, and irrigation use in the Upper Owens River watershed.  An approach has been developed for the land and water management planning and work will begin in the spring of 1999.

Crowley Lake Recreation Management