I’m excited to announce the successful return of the McKenzie River Guides Association’s radio auction, an event aimed at engaging a wider audience and showcasing the vital work our organization does in the community. As the largest organization represented on the Oregon State Marine Board and the oldest continually active guide organization in the country, we take pride in our legacy of promoting responsible recreation, safety, and conservation.
The auction, graciously hosted by Robb and Kori on 93.3, saw lively bidding via phone and Facebook, culminating in the auction of six drift boat fishing trips and one whitewater rafting trip. Today’s full-day fishing trip with four boats targeted rainbow trout and offered anglers the chance to catch summer steelhead, making for an exciting and memorable experience.
The day on the water was both productive and educational. Our guides, including Aaron Helfrich, Kyle Duke, Will Conable, and Jim Sens, shared their expertise while guiding guests through notable fishing water. After a successful morning, the guides held a fish cleaning demonstration, teaching guests how to prepare their catch for a fry. Billy Pruitt fried up the morning’s catch, with Leah and Jonnie Helfrich preparing and providing the rest of the meal. Guests had a chance to relax, enjoy their lunch, and learn a bit about camp cooking before heading back out to finish the day.
Overall, the radio auction was a tremendous success, helping us continue our work in promoting safe, sustainable, and enjoyable outdoor adventures on the McKenzie River while celebrating our guiding community’s tradition and dedication.
On April 3rd, 2025, I attended the Quartz Creek Ecosystem Resilience Project information session, which is set to occur from May through September 2025. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the McKenzie Watershed Alliance (MWA), McKenzie River Trust (MRT), USDA Forest Service (USFS), and Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB). The project aims to restore 170 acres, or 1.8 miles, along the lower section of Quartz Creek, with the goal of returning the creek to its natural floodplain to provide habitat for microbes, insects, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and megafauna. A key objective is to protect the historic habitats of species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, including the our spring chinook run, bull trout, and lamprey.
Currently, Quartz Creek is a degraded stream, with areas “incised” or cut down as deep as 13 feet. This degradation has resulted in the loss of the creek’s smaller ecological systems, leading to “flashy hydrology” that makes Quartz Creek a significant contributor of sediment to the McKenzie River, our drinking water source. Additionally, the large cobbles and boulders present are not suitable for chinook salmon to create their redds for egg-laying.
Through a thoughtfully designed, research-backed plan, the project will cut alongside the existing creek bed to create new pathways for water flow while filling in the incisions to promote restoration. Large woody debris and slash will be carefully placed and partially buried or pinned to encourage habitat development and shade. Quartz Creek Road will also be raised above the 100-year floodplain in some areas by up to a foot. Moreover, the team will mechanically remove non-native invasive vegetation and rehabilitate the site upon completion. The valley restoration will raise the deep underground aquifer and alluvial aquifers (the water table), fostering a healthier ecosystem.
The community gathering addressed several concerns related to the project. First, attendees inquired about potential road closures during the project’s duration. The answer is no; aside from occasional brief stops on Quartz Creek Road or Pond Road to stage heavy equipment, access to the roads will remain unaffected.
Second, questions arose about the number of heavy equipment pieces on the 1.8-mile stretch and the measures in place to protect the environment during their operation. Project manager Jared Weybright clarified the specifics; however, I did not note the specific numbers as the equipment count shared did not seem alarming to me personally. To safeguard the environment, contractors must use biodegradable, vegetable-based lubricants, reducing the negative impact of any potential leaks. Additionally, each piece of equipment must be accompanied by a spill containment kit, and operators will receive training on its use. A comprehensive spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) plan will outline the hazardous materials on-site and the procedures for managing them in case of a spill. Furthermore, all maintenance, repairs, and refueling will occur at designated fueling stations away from the active floodplain.
Third, in response to concerns about preserving the creek’s species during construction, the 1.8-mile area will be segmented with berms, and during active draining, team members will be deployed with nets to safely collect and relocate all living species downstream, ensuring their well-being.
Lastly, the importance of community outreach and involvement was discussed, as residents expressed the desire to stay informed about large-scale projects and emphasized the need to treat their surroundings with respect and care. I highly encourage concerned individuals and everyone to read the comprehensive online report for detailed project plans and supporting research. I was genuinely impressed by the team of presenters at the Leaburg Fire Station on April 3rd and look forward to witnessing the restoration of this vital area along the McKenzie River.
This project is estimated to cost $9.9 million, funded primarily by NOAA grant money, OWEB funds, and MRT contributions.
We all lost a great man yesterday. Leroy Pruitt, Christian, Father, husband and my best friend. He was peaceful, kind and loving to those he cared for. For over 29 years we were married. We always talked, listened and respected each other. Worked hard and had fun. He paved the way for a lot of people to create a life they loved in the outdoors, myself included, a fisherman, horseman and “Real life Cowboy” he lived life to the fullest and on his own terms but never had regrets nor treated people with out respect, not always agreeing with their point of view, but giving them the respect to disagree. Many people ask me why I would marry a man 30 years older than me, he brought me to Jesus and I learned that life is eternal so years didn’t matter. Love is love. That is what we knew love. He prepared me for today, we talked and listened to each other , still a hard day, but in time things will work out. I will just “cowgirl up” and move forward as I promised him. Roy didn’t want any kind of service, if the family decides to for once over ride his desires we’ll let you know.
