Ochoco National Forest

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Ochoco National Forest

The Ochoco National Forest is a National Forest in the US state of Oregon .

location

The Ochoco National Forest ( location ) is located in the Ochoco Mountains , which form a southwestern branch of the Blue Mountains , south of a line connecting Dayville to Madras . The Ochoco National Forest covers an area west of the South Fork John Day River , while the area east of this river is part of the Malheur National Forest . US Highway 26 crosses the mountains to the west of the Ochoco National Forest .

To the west of the national forest lies the Crooked River National Grassland , which is jointly managed with the Ochoco National Forest by the United States Forest Service office in Prineville .

description

Big Summit Prairie
Stein's Pillar

The national forest was established on July 1, 1911. It has an area of ​​approximately 3421 km 2 (845,498 acres ) and is divided into three ranger districts.

The terrain is mountainous with peaks of around 1400 to 2100 m. To the west of the Ochoco National Forest is Lookout Mountain, which is the highest peak in the Ochoco Mountains with a height of 2,111 m. Another striking landmark is Stein's Pillar , an approximately 100 meter high rock needle.

The mountain slopes are forested, around 380 km 2 (95,000 acres ) are classified as primary forest . Yellow pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) is the predominant tree species on the warmer southern and western slopes, while mixed stands of yellow pine, Douglas fir , Colorado fir and West American larch grow on the colder northern and eastern slopes . Juniper and sage bushes predominate in the lower elevations . The grassy areas of the Big Summit Prairie ( Lage ) and the Little Summit Prairie ( Lage ) lie in two trough valleys .

The national forest provides habitat for more than 375 different species of reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. There are 15 species of wild fish in the streams, rivers and lakes. Big game animals in the national forest are mainly deer , elk and antelopes . Other living species here include, among others, peregrine falcons , Swainson's hawk , bald eagle , sage grouse , sandhill crane , American curlew , common loon , wolverine and Rotbandforelle .

Within the Ochoco National Forest there are three wilderness areas according to the highest nature conservation category (1b): Mill Creek Wilderness (70 km 2 , location ), Bridge Creek Wilderness (22 km 2 , location ) and Black Canyon Wilderness (54 km 2 , location ). An area of ​​around 110 km 2 is designated as a reserve for wild horses .

Web links

Commons : Ochoco National Forest  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Proclamation establishing Ochoco NF. June 30, 1911; Retrieved December 29, 2018 (American English).
  2. a b c About the Forest. In: www.fs.usda.gov. United States Forest Service, accessed December 29, 2018 .
  3. a b Special Places. In: www.fs.usda.gov. United States Forest Service, accessed December 29, 2018 .
  4. ^ Charles L. Bolsinger, Karen L. Waddell: Area of ​​Old-Growth Forests in California, Oregon, and Washington. Retrieved December 29, 2018 .
  5. Big Summit Wild Horse Territory. In: https://www.fs.usda.gov . United States Forest Service, accessed December 29, 2018 .