Willow Creek Ironside Ranch

Ironside,
Oregon
Malheur

Status:

Active
$2,800,000
Knipe Land Company

Property Description

Willow Creek Ironside Ranch

Location:  Located in Malheur County near the Malheur Reservoir and the unincorporated town of Ironside, Oregon.  This area is known for it cattle ranches and hunting.  Only 30 minutes from Unity, less than an hour from Vale, Oregon and just over two hours from Boise, Idaho.  Good access with Highway 26, John Day Highway, passing through Ironside. The area offers views of several peaks including Ironside Mountain, Cow Valley Butte and Juniper Mountain.  While mostly comprised of rolling sagebrush hills with a scattering of juniper trees, this area offers hidden gems including springs, and draws hiding rock outcroppings, creeks, and brush all in a ecosystem where elk, deer, bear and upland game birds including sage hen and grouse thrive.

For the first time in its 150-year history, this noteworthy cattle ranch is available. It boasts a diverse array of features that cater to both agricultural and recreational pursuits.

Acreage: The ranch of 917± acres consist of irrigated hay meadows, expansive pastures, and sprawling range grounds. This property embodies the essence of a true ranch.  A total of 482± acres are cultivatable and the remaining 434± acres is range land.   Water rights for irrigation, supplemental Irrigation and stock water are available for 428.7± acres. The irrigation infrastructure includes deep irrigation wells catering to most of the irrigated land, while the southern parcels benefit from direct access to Willow Creek. Two pivots operate on approximately 136 acres of irrigated land, complemented by wheel lines across the remainder.  The deep water wells feed the land under the pivot and wheel lines.  The area mainly grows alfalfa, grass hay and pasture.  Common practice produces 2-3 cutting a year with alfalfa while the grass hay provides season-long pasturage after an initial cutting of the grass hay. The creek rights are dependent on snow level and are primarily used for pasture land as they do not run a full season.

Improvements:  The property boasts a historic barn, complete with older corrals and a cattle scale. There is also fiber optic cable in the road providing good internet connectivity.

Water:  What sets this ranch apart is the presence of live water sources, including the perennial Willow Creek and seasonal Long Creek, augmented by the Rutherford Ditch, which collectively form a lifeline for both livestock and native wildlife, creating an unparalleled haven for hunters. Willow Creek not only quenches the thirst of livestock and wildlife but also nurtures a thriving ecosystem that includes Rainbow Trout and serves as a sanctuary for waterfowl and upland game birds. The regular presence of elk and deer further enriches the ranch’s allure.

Recreation: An excellent location for the hunter, located in the Sumpter (51) Oregon Fish & Wildlife Hunt Unit. There are Land Owner Preference tags available. Over recent years, the seller has taken 19 elk of 6 points or more from his property (owns additional land) plus there are Mule deer. Upland game birds include; chuckar, sage grouse plus the waterfowl; ducks and geese all are found on the property. There is also plenty of room for horseback riding, ATVs, and hiking. Not to mention the Malheur Reservoir is just down the road.

If you are a hard working rancher looking for an operational gem or an avid outdoors-man seeking an expansive retreat, this place checks both boxes.  The Willow Creek Ironside Ranch offers variety and beauty of the high desert, whether you want to hunt, explore the wildlife, or simply bask in the tranquility of nature, this ranch invites you, raise livestock or just to experience the richness of its habitat firsthand.

Janey Knipe
, Associate Broker

Ready to take the next step? Let’s talk!

Property Highlights:


  • Hunting

  • Recreation

  • Ranching

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