Yakima Basin Assessments

In some cases, it’s easy to know what project to do next. In others, it may require detailed analysis to identify and prioritize options that best meet restoration goals. This type of analysis is typically completed in assessments and reach/watershed restoration plans. These documents typically include detailed assessments of current habitat conditions and key limiting factors for target species and identify and prioritize potential projects to address those limiting factors. This page describes assessments and watershed/reach plans that have been completed to guide fisheries restoration work in the Yakima Basin.

Basinwide Assessments

The Salmon Recovery Act of 1998 directed the Washington State Conservation Commission to complete Limiting Factors Assessments to guide salmon recovery investments. The Limiting Factors Analysis for the Yakima Basin was completed by Don Haring in 2001 and remains one of the best resources for information on the Yakima River and its tributaries. While some of its recommendations may be out of date, it remains an essential reference for project sponsors. An archived copy can be viewed at: https://archives.yvl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6c66415-7e67-44ad-8951-fbc0f0a004d6/content

Lower Yakima (WRIA 37) Assessments

Year	Title	Lead	Notes
2011	Lower Yakima Assessment	Benton Conservation District	General assessment of conditions and potential projects in the Yakima River and tribs in Benton County
2012	Wapato Reach Assessment	WDFW/Yakama NAtion	Assessment of fish habitat and potential projects on the mainstem Yakima from Union Gap to the Mabton Bridge.
2014	Yakima River Delta Habitat Asessment	Mid-Columbia Fisheries	Focused on the confluence of the Yakima River with the Columbia and potential benefits of Bateman Island Causeway removal
2017	Lower Yakima Predation Assessment	Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board	Prepared by Geoff McMichaels
2021	Water Stargrass Management Techniques	Benton Conservation District	Review of potential ways to manage water stargrass including mechanical, chemical and environmental control
Proposed	Ahtanum Watershed Assessment	Yakama Nation	Identified as a need to help prioritize restoration actions

Naches (WRIA 38) Assessments

Year	Title	Lead	Notes
2017	Little Naches Geomorphic Assessment	Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board	Prepared by Hoda Sondossi; focus on flooplain restoration opportunities in the Little Naches River.
2016	Lower Tieton River Assessment	Yakama Nation YKFP Program	Focus on identifying floodplain restoration opportunities.
Proposed	Upper Naches Assessment	Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board/Yakama Nation YKFP Program	Identified as a need to identify critical limiting factors for chinook and steelhead and prioritize restoration actions

Upper Yakima (WRIA 39) Assessments

Year	Title	Lead	Notes
2013	Manastash Reach Assessment	Kittitas Conservation District	Focused on identifying opportunities for habitat restoration and flood hazard reduction on private lands on Manastash Creek.
2015	Kittitas Reach of the Yakima River	Kittitas County	Assessment of habitat conditions and needs from the Jefferies Levee to the upper end of the Yakima Canyon; led to significant land acquisitions by county with associated restoration in progress. Referenced techincal memos can be found here.
2015	Gold Creek Assessment and Conceptual Design	Kittitas Conservation Trust	Focused on habitat needs in Gold Creek and the impact of Gold Creek Pond on instream flows. There is no single report; the link is to the project page; see project attachment section for links to the Habitat, Geomorphic and Hydrology memos and concept designs.
2017	Wilson, Naneum and Cherry Creek Watershed	Kittitas County	Data collection and preliminary analysis of fish habitat needs in the tributaries surrounding Ellensburg, with a focus on understanding possible fish passage routes to Upper Naneum Creek.
2019	Kachess Assessment	Kittitas Conservation Trust	Focus on bull trout habitat restoration opportunities in the Upper Kachess River above Kachess Lake.
2023	Upper Yakima Cottonwood Assessment	Mid-Columbia Fisheries	Focused on identifying opportunities to protect and restore riparian cottonwood forests along the mainstem Yakima from the Teanaway confluence to the top of the Yakima River Canyon. There is no single report; the link is to the project page; see project attachment section for links to the project deliverables.
2024	Cabin Creek Restoration Assessment	Mid-Columbia Fisheries	Assessment of Cabin Creek, which enters the Yakima just above Lake Easton.
	Teanaway Assessments		ADD

Timber Company Watershed Assessments

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