Amon Creek Wasteway
Overview
Amon Creek Wasteway is the lowest tributary on the Yakima River at river mile 2.7. The majority of flow is derived from irrigation return flows from the Kennewick Irrigation District, with a small amount coming from natural sources. The drainage area is approximately 62 square miles.
Habitat Conditions
Flows
Historical flows to Amon Creek prior to irrigation, where likely low. Smith et al. (2006)[1] calculated natural stream flow estimates the Amon drainage between 250-500 acre-feet per year, or 0.51 cubic feet per second per day of discharge. Amon Creek currently serves as a conveyance for irrigation return flows from the Kennewick Irrigation District, where excess water from the main canal is spilled. The wasteway also conveys stormwater runoff for the City of Richland and the City of Kennewick.
Stream Temperature
Water Quality
Habitat Restoration Projects
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in coordination with the Benton Conservation District has developed an environmental impact statement to review alternatives to re-locate Amon Creek, USACE 2025[2].
Fish Use
Fish, including Salmon and steelhead have been documented in the lower portions of Amon Creek (Child et al., 2010)[3].
Citations
- ↑ [1]Smith, David L., Gardner Johnson, and Ted Williams. Natural Streamflow Estimates for Watersheds in the Lower Yakima River. Cramer and Associates, 2006. http://www.svid.org/images/Natural%20Streamflow%20Report%20Revised%20for%20website.pdf.
- ↑ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Yakima River Delta Coldwater Refuge Project Amon Creek Wasteway Relocation. Project File Number: PPL-C-2024-0057. Walla Walla District, 2025. https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Portals/28/Draft%20Amon%20Creek%20Final_1.pdf.
- ↑ Child, David, Ian Courter, and Shadia Duery. Suitability of Amon Wasteway for Salmonid Production. 2010. https://www.kid.org/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2014/ 05/ 2010- Amon- Aquatic- Habitat- Report.pdf.