2025 Project of the Year: Upper Kachess River Floodplain Restoration
Each year, we shine a spotlight on a project that goes above and beyond—one that not only tackles tough challenges but truly makes a difference on the ground. This year, we are proud to name Kittitas Conservation Trust’s Upper Kachess River Floodplain Restoration Project as our Project of the Year.
Why this project stands out:
A Bold Transformation.
In just one stretch of river, KCT reimagined what recovery can look like. More than 1.2 miles of the Upper Kachess River—once a barren gravel channel left behind by 1980s logging—has been brought back to life. Large wood structures now shape the river, high-flow channels have been reconnected, and gravel bars are greening again with native plants. What was once a lifeless expanse is on the path to becoming a dynamic, complex river system where floodwaters carve channels, pools form, and cover grows—everything Bull Trout needs to thrive.
A Lifeline for Bull Trout.
This project directly targets one of the most vulnerable Bull Trout populations in the Yakima Basin. With fewer than 2.5 miles of habitat left, and only a few redds observed in some years, these fish are on the brink. The restoration creates refuge habitat where fry can survive and grow—keeping them safe in wet, functioning habitat and out of downstream reaches that dry up each summer. While emergency rescues have been a stopgap, this project gets the real solution: giving fish the right habitat from the start.
Partnership, Perseverance, and Vision.
The Upper Kachess project was anything but simple. It meant working in a remote location, piecing together funding from SRFB, YBIP, Ecology, the U.S. Forest Service, and others, and committing to a bold vision in the face of uncertainty. But that persistence paid off. Already, we’re seeing encouraging results, and the real story is just beginning—as high flows return, the restored river will continue to shape itself into an even richer, healthier system.
This project is proof of what’s possible when vision meets determination. Congratulations to Kittitas Conservation Trust and their partners—your work is not only reshaping a river but also giving Bull Trout a fighting chance for the future.
Visit Upper Kachess River Restoration | Kittitas Conservation Trust to learn more about the project!