SOLD: BK Ranch | Fay Ranches

BK RANCH

Bly, Klamath County, Oregon

$5,250,000 | 3,298± Acres

BK Ranch | Bly, Oregon

INTRODUCTION

Experience all that northwest ranching can offer. Sub-irrigated meadows, high desert range, pivots watering grass fields, large pine trees, flood irrigated pastures, a private reservoir with waterfowl, and surrounded by beautiful mountain views. The BK Ranch offers it all, and it’s all on the deeded ground you can own. This very functional cattle operation in Southeastern Oregon, just outside the quiet town of Bly, gives a prospective owner a chance to enjoy both a viable cattle operation and outdoor recreation, all on the same ranch. The BK Ranch consists of 3,298± deeded acres, 2,200± acres with irrigation water rights; a 5-bedroom/4 bath ranch home occupied by the manager; additional housing for staff or guests; a 50± acre reservoir; a very efficient and durable set of cattle pens; multiple barns; and on the Southwest corner of the property is the South Fork Sprague River to drop a line into. The ranch enjoys the Fremont National Forest, just 1 mile North and offers a stunning view of 8,364-foot Gearhart Mountain and its surrounding Gearhart Mountain Wilderness Area.

LOCATION

The BK Ranch is located just NE of Bly, a small unincorporated town about 50 miles East of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and 37 miles West of Lakeview, Oregon, in the Southeastern part of Klamath County, just off Oregon Highway 140. Flowing thru the community is Fish Hole Creek, which meets the South Fork Sprague River slightly north of Bly. The valley is bounded on the North, East, and South by the Fremont National Forest.

Highway 97, which passes through Klamath Falls from North to South, connects Klamath Falls to the North with Bend, Oregon, 138 miles or about 2 hours and 21 minutes, and the South with Redding California, 141 miles, or about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Highway 140 connects Klamath Falls to the West with Medford, Oregon, 79 miles, or about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and to the East with Lakeview, Oregon, 96 miles, or about 1 hour and 52 minutes.

AREA HISTORY

The Goose Lake Basin has not changed much since early Northern Paiutes and Modoc were the only inhabitants. The valley’s history is still felt in the tall, rich grass of the rangeland and surrounding pinecovered mountains. The waterfowl that nourished early native families still dot the many lakes. Berries and Klamath plums are still found in the narrow canyons of the mountains that surround the BK Ranch. The ranch is located near the history-rich, unincorporated town of Bly, Oregon, which lies between Lakeview and Klamath Falls. At 4,804 feet in elevation, nearby Lakeview is known as Oregon’s tallest town, snuggled into Warner Mountains’ foothills base. Lakeview’s first permanent settler, M.W. Bullard, built his cabin with a lake view in 1870. The rich grazing opportunities attracted more settlers and cattle herds, making a town out of Bullard’s settlement. It was simple logic to name the town Lakeview. The 1880s and 1890s saw steady growth in Lakeview, with a strong business district at the center and strong agricultural industry in the outlying areas. In 1900, Lakeview’s population had grown to more than 750 people, with many thriving businesses.

On May 22, 1900, the town’s center caught fire, and the mostly wood buildings in the business district burnt to the ground. The town rebuilt itself out of brick this time and was once again the hub of the area. That changed when the railroad reached Klamath Falls in 1909. The ability to move timber and cattle provided Klamath Falls the edge it needed to become the hub.

The Nevada-California-Oregon Railway built a line from Reno, Nevada, to Lakeview in 1912. With this new way to move the abundance of timber growing in the Warner Mountains and Fremont National Forest, Lakeview became a lumber town. By 1929, at least ten sawmills were operating in the town. The lumber industry continued to be a prominent income source for those living in Lakeview for years until railroads were no longer the most economical way to move timber. Sawmills became fewer and fewer until there was only one operating in 2017. Agriculture had again taken over as Lakeview’s leading industry.

GETTING THERE

BK Ranch is located off Oregon Highway 140:

• 53± miles east of Klamath Falls, Oregon

• 132± miles east of Medford, Oregon

• 162± miles southeast of Bend, Oregon

• 192± miles northeast of Redding, California

Road access to the BK Ranch is very good. From Bly, Oregon head southeast on Highway 140 approximately 1.4 miles to turn north on paved Campbell Road about 4.5 miles to the ranch headquarters access road. Other areas of the ranch are accessed by staying on Campbell Road until it turns to gravel (heading east) or continuing north on the cinder-surfaced National Forest Development Road 3411.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The Crater Lake-Klamath Falls Regional Airport (KLMT) currently has no commercial airline service but affords convenient access for private flight arrival. Klamath Falls is also home to Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base.

The next closest airport with commercial flight services can be found at The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (KMFR), about 77 miles, or 1 hour 20 minutes West of Klamath Falls, and is served by Alaska, Delta, United, and Allegiant with flights to Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, Las Vegas, Nevada, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, San Diego, California, and San Francisco, California.

Roberts Field (KRDM) at Redmond, OR is about 154 miles, or 2 hours 40 minutes North of Klamath Falls is served by Alaska, American Airlines, Delta, United, and Allegiant and offers flights to Seattle, WA, Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, San Diego, California, Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Redding Municipal Airport (RDD), located about 6 miles SE of Redding, California, about 141 miles, or about 2 hours and 30 minutes Southeast of Klamath Falls. Offers flights to and from Los Angeles and San Francisco by United Express.

Portland International Airport (KPDX), located 311 miles, or just over 5 hours Northwest of Klamath Falls, provides significant air connections.

Private aircraft can fly into the Lake County Airport (KLKV) with its 5,318 X 100-foot strip at 4,724.1 feet in elevation, just 43 miles SE of Bly, or the Chiloquin State Airport with its 3,749 X 60-foot asphalt strip at 4,221 feet in elevation, just 52.5 miles northwest of Bly.

ACREAGE

Per the Klamath County Assessor, the BK Ranch contains 3,298.19± deeded acres. Approximately 2,201 acres have irrigation water rights sourced from the North and South Forks of the Sprague River, Boulder, Deming, and Fritz Creeks, plus an irrigation well. Excepting approximately 260 acres under two centerpivot irrigation systems, flood irrigation provides irrigation water distribution from a 50± acre ranch reservoir and a series of dirt laterals and ditches. An additional 539± acres of dry pasture has areas that are sub-irrigated. The ranch’s remaining acreage encompasses uplands of native grazing, sagebrush, Juniper, and Ponderosa pine trees. The ranch topography is flat to gently undulating at an elevation ranging from 4,341± feet in the ranch’s Southern area to 4,518± feet in the ranch’s northern portion.

SCENIC VISTAS

Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and Siskiyou Countries surround Bly, Oregon. Soak in the complex and unforgettable geography, biology, and economy of the region.

A re A L A ndm A rks

• Crater Lake National Park, 60 miles N of Klamath Falls, Oregon, on Highway 97 and 62.

• Gearhart Mountain Wilderness, located just Northeast of the BK Ranch, provides phenomenal views of the surrounding area from Gearhart Mountain’s 8,364-foot summit.

Crater Lake National Park - Pixabay

Gearhart Mountain

CLIMATE

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). Summer temperature highs typically average in the ’80s, peaking in late July -early August. Winter low temperatures can fall below 0º degrees F. Still, average lows generally are around 20º degrees F. Snowfall can vary significantly, coming and going throughout the winter, or accumulate to several feet, but typically accumulates to an average of about 7 inches in the months of December and January.

Data provided by: http://www.city-data.com/city/Lakeview-Oregon.html

WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS

Under Oregon law, all water is publicly owned. With some exceptions, cities, farmers, factory owners, and other users must obtain a permit or water right from the Water Resources Department to use water from any source, whether underground or from lakes or streams. Landowners with water flowing past, thru, or under their property do not automatically have the right to use that water without the Department’s permit. The State of Oregon administers Oregon’s waters under a “prior appropriation” doctrine; first in time, first in the right.

The BK Ranch holds State of Oregon Certificate of Water Right Nos.: 9949 (1900 priority date) 9964 (1880 priority date), 9966 (1900 priority date) 31365 (1950 priority date), 85506 (1876 priority date) 85507 (priority date 1886) 85508 (priority date 1881), 31368 (priority date 1953), 87079 (priority date 1956) and well permit G17527 (priority date 1994) collectively for the primary irrigation of 2,201± acres and supplemental irrigation of 1,083.3± acres. Additionally, the ranch holds Certificate 31367 (priority date 1953) to store 164.0 acre-feet of water in a reservoir located on the ranch for irrigation in an unspecified location. Irrigation water is drawn out of the North and South Forks of the Sprague River, Boulder, Deming, and Fritz Creeks, plus irrigation well that produces 1,700± gallons per minute. Excepting approximately 260 acres under two center-pivot irrigation systems, flood irrigation provides irrigation water distribution from a 50± acre ranch reservoir and a series of dirt laterals and ditches. An additional 539± acres of dry pasture has areas that are sub-irrigated. To further clarify the ranch water rights, a certified water rights examination by a licensed professional is recommended.

IMPROVEMENTS

A welcoming 3,462± square feet, 2-story ranch home with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. A manufactured home provides additional ranch housing. There are a full set of cattle handling facilities and ample hay storage. Additional ranch improvements include:

• 1991 Redman Manufactured home, 1338± square feet

• Detached garage , 610± square feet

• Carport 288± square feet

• Woodshed 512± square feet.

• Oil shed 112± square feet

• Tack shed 416± square feet.

• Scale house 320± square feet

• Pumphouse 192± square feet

• Barn adjacent to cattle corrals 6,000± square feet

• “BK” barn 16,932± square feet

• Hay barn 2,730± square feet

• Equipment shed 1,440± square feet

• Two full circle pivots

The cattle handling facilities are adequate for the ranch requirements: steel guard rail/welded pipe pens, bud box, hydraulic chute, semi loading chute, and branding pen. The facility is set on the slight slope for drainage and a gate out to the ranch’s open meadow pasture.

AGRICULTURE

BK Ranch is currently running 440± Spring-calving cows annually, typically providing their winter feed requirements through haying 500± acres, putting up 1,000 to 1,250 tons of hay, but recent drought has required the purchasing of additional hay to winter the herd. The historic, huge barn and hay covers provide adequate storage for the ranch’s winter feed requirements. Historically, when full irrigation water supplies were available, the ranch was able to lease out summer pasture for an additional 600-700 cow-calf pairs. However, under recent Upper Klamath Basin irrigation water management, this has not been possible. The last year that the ranch took in outside cattle for summer pasturing was in 2017. Perhaps one day, the ranch will again be able to utilize its full irrigation water capacity and resume this practice for a nice “upside” to this ranch! The ranch uplands, gently rolling hills of native grazing with sagebrush and interspersed Juniper and Ponderosa Pine trees, provides excellent early grazing and calving grounds, with adequate natural shelter. For ease of livestock management, the ranch is well fenced and cross-fenced. Exterior and interior roads provide good access to most areas of the ranch. An excellent set of corrals, sorting pens, scales, and chute system facilitates cattle management and ease of shipping and receiving livestock. A smaller shop and equipment storage adequately support ranch operations. The ranch’s main home and additional housing provide comfortable living accommodations for an owner and cattle manager, ranch manager. Day-to-day operations are currently handled by the ranch manager and his family, with owner and neighbor assistance during peak requirements, such as working cattle, branding, etc.

RECREATION

There is so much space and beauty to explore. The area’s 300-plus days of sunshine annually allows time to attempt to get all the exploring in during a resident’s lifeline. There are so many places in the area that there is something for everyone and every ability level. There are numerous area lakes and streams within a two-hour drive of the ranch, allowing for countless new journeys and family time spent boating, swimming, or fishing. The area provides incredible views along with its fun.

Klamath County is home to the Fremont and Winema National Forests and thousands of acres of BLM land, all available for multiple recreational opportunities. Several miles of forest and BLM roads are available for off-road vehicle activity, including snowmobiling in the Winter. The WorldFamous Crater Lake National Park is located just 1 hour and 20 minutes from the ranch. Opportunities for downhill skiing can be found at Mt. Bachelor, near Bend, OR, about 2 hours 55 minutes Northwest of the ranch, or Willamette Pass Resort-Ski Area, about 2 hours and 10 minutes Northwest of the ranch.

Upper Klamath Lake - Wikimedia

Fremont Winema National Forest - Flickr

Willamette Pass Resort- Wikimedia

B ig g A me h unting

Big game hunting is prominent among the Cascade Range. The Fremont and Winema National Forests and BLM lands offer the thrill of a healthy Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer populations. The lower elevations are home to antelope. Predator control hunting is available with black bear, bobcat, cougar, and coyote seasons.

F ishing

Fishing around the area is some of the best in the world due to the largest native Rainbow Trout population in the lower 48 states. Redband rainbow trout are especially abundant in area waters. There are so many options to drop a line in a lake or cast a fly in a river that anglers can fish for a lifetime without boredom. The Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake have prime spring and fall feeding populations, with fisherman often reporting daily catches of several over 20 inches long. If variety is sought, the Lake of the Woods is home to more species than any other lake in the United States. Odell Lake is known for sizable Lake Trout. The options are truly endless! The South Fork Sprague River meanders along the ranch’s SW border. Just 1 mile North of the farm is the Fremont National Forest where you can access the beautiful North Fork Sprague River. Just 45-55± minutes Northwest of the ranch is the Wood River and Williamson River, both world-class fisheries, famous for their amazing fly-fishing opportunities. Or about an hour West, enjoy boating or fishing on Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake!

W A ter F o WL h unting | B ird W A tching

One can spot bald eagles, red-tail hawks, sandhill cranes, and all manner of birds right on the ranch. For the hunter, the ranch offers significant duck and goose hunting opportunities.

The Klamath Basin is located on the Pacific Flyway, meaning that millions of ducks, geese, and swans migrate every year. Large numbers of waterfowl and raptors are seen throughout the year. The Basin is home to so many bird species that there is no way to see all of them. Six National Wildlife Refuges offer protection to winged creatures throughout the Klamath Basin. The Upper Klamath NWR is 15,000± acres of freshwater marsh and open water with a 9.5- mile canoe trail for those that prefer to birdwatch from the water. The Lower Klamath NWR was the first waterfowl refuge in the nation, with more than 46,900 protected acres. The Bear Valley NWR has the largest population of wintering Bald Eagles anywhere in the world. More than 350 bird specifies call the Basin home, with one of the largest migratory stopovers along the Pacific Flyway.

The Pacific Flyway the Basin has long been a favorite destination for duck and goose hunters. The season runs from early October to late January, so sportsmen can enjoy a wetland sunrise’s peaceful beauty and silence before the action starts for several months of the year.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Klamath Falls, population 21,536 at the 2018 census, is the County Seat of Klamath County and is the social, cultural, and trade center of the region, where one can find fine dining, motels, schools, groceries, clothing, cultural events, medical facilities and all manner of goods and service necessary to support the local businesses and agricultural enterprises. Klamath Falls is home to the Oregon Institute of Technology, a public polytechnic University with a residential campus offering Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in several disciplines. Kamath Falls, known as “Oregon’s City of Sunshine,” enjoys on average 300 days of sunshine a year. Small enough to maintain friendly relations but large enough to satisfy all the needs and wants, Klamath Falls is home to antique shops, museums, stores, restaurants, and a trolley that can whisk travelers to all businesses. The nearby Goose Lake Valley, just 26± East of Bly near the city of Lakeview, has seen little of the many changes brought to the rest of the world over the past two hundred years. The history of the valley is still seen in grazing cattle, abundant wildlife, and quiet peacefulness.

The forested mountains have provided a steady strength that has outlasted the years. Lakeview is home to 2,904 people and 743 businesses. This includes 27 restaurants, museums, Warner Canyon Ski Resort, Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. It is the perfect place to leave behind the harried, crowded streets and step into history. The basin and surrounding forest are rich in vegetation, wildlife, and history. They also include an interesting formation of geological characteristics from past volcanic activity. The mountains themselves were volcanically created thousands of years ago. Gearhart Mountain, just NE of the ranch, owes its creation to past eruptions, rising 8,370 feet into the vast sky. The soil covering the Fremont and Winema National Forests is a plain made of pumice left behind after the same eruption that created nearby Crater Lake. The long-ago, active volcanos also left behind caves to seek out. The Paisley, Fort Rock, and Connolly Caves are open for the public to explore. Evidence of the past Paiute and Modoc people can still be seen in some of the caves. Crater Lake National Park is 50± miles North of Klamath Falls. The 33-mile Rim Drive, which circles the lake, is a favorite of cyclists. Winter cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the park is also very popular. The more-than-mile-high Crater Lake Marathon is an annual event. Lava Beds National Monument is about 30 miles to the Southeast of Klamath Falls near Tulelake, California. The Lava Beds provide an excellent opportunity to explore an area with perhaps the highest concentration of lava tubes. The monument also interprets the Modoc War, including the First Battle of the Stronghold. Mountain Lakes Wilderness Area, one of the first designated wilderness areas in the United States, lies just to the West of Klamath Falls, providing some excellent opportunities for backpacking and fishing in pristine mountain lakes.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing time.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

Each of us at Fay Ranches has a love of the land and a desire to see it remain as productive agricultural ground and quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting the use of thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitat, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, the landscape on which we work has been significantly enhanced by our clients’ conservation ethic and land-use practices. There are no Conservation Easements on The BK Ranch.

QUICK FACTS

• 3,298± deeded acres

• 2,200± acres irrigation water rights

• 539± acres dry grazing with some sub-irrigated

• The Freemont National Forest is just 1-mile North of the Ranch

• Enjoy the beautiful North and South Forks Sprague River

• Stunning views of 8,364 ft Gearhart Mountain and its surrounding Wilderness Area

• 3,462± square feet 2-story 5-bedroom 4-bathroom main ranch home

• Additional housing for staff or guests

• Two center-pivots, as well as flood irrigation and sub-irrigation

• Full set of cattle handling facilities

• Ample hay storage

LEASE

The ranch has a cell tower site that is leased to a cell tower company. The BK Ranch’s lessor-interest in this lease has been assigned to a third party, so it currently does not provide lease income to the BK Ranch. The structure is located unobtrusively along Campbell Road, just south of the ranch headquarters’ road entrance.

SUMMARY

Located in the heart of scenic Southeastern Oregon, the BK Ranch offers a discerning cattleman the opportunity to own this all-deeded, reputation cattle ranch. This ranch possesses significant agricultural production and excellent accessibility without sacrificing privacy. Living on the BK Ranch provides daily opportunities to view unbridled beauty and nature, plus handy access to the Freemont National Forest. You will look far and wide to find an Oregon Ranch that matches this one!

$5,250,000

Cash

Please contact Scott Hawes at (541) 419-0770 | shawes@fayranches.com or Alex Robertson at (541) 420-2394 | arobertson@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.

PRICE TERMS CONTACT NOTICE

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.