Much of the Sprague River is disconnected from its floodplain by a series of levees. This impairs a wide range of river functions and keeps riparian wetlands dry when they should be flooded each year. These wetlands are believed to be important rearing habitat for juvenile suckers.

A landowner on the Sprague was interested in breaching the levee on his property not only for the ecological benefits, but recognizing the value in letting the river naturally irrigate pastures to reduce the need to pump irrigation water.

With support from US Fish & WIldlife Service, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Enviornmental Protection Agency, the levee was breached in seven locations in September 2007. Biodegradable erosion control fabric protected the breached areas and grass seed and treed seedlings were planted.

Spring flows in early 2008 easily rose over the breached areas flooding the targeted wetland areas and surrounding pastures.

Activities planned for 2008 include erosion control in disturbed stream banks, wetland vegetaion plantings and riparian fencing.

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