Gold Creek is the head waters tributary to the upper Yakima River and home to a genetically distinct population of bull trout that is at risk of extirpation. The Gold Creek project will address habitat deficiencies that are negatively impacting bull trout so that they remain a part of this important ecosystem.
Lower Cle Elum River Restoration Project The Lower Cle Elum River Instream Habitat and Side-Channel Restoration Project is a two-phase project that improved spawning and rearing habitat for native salmon and trout species on the stretch of the river beneath the Cle Elum Dam. The project is located within the conservation easement
Completed in 2010, this restoration project removed two fish passage barriers in the Currier/Reecer Creek tributary of the Yakima River.
Swauk Creek Instream & Riparian The Swauk Creek Instream Project took a holistic approach to address human impacts. Swauk Creek is tributary to the Yakima River in northern Kittitas County. The creek is home to Mid-Columbia Steelhead. Other important fish native to the Swauk watershed include Coho salmon, Spring Chinook salmon, Rainbow
Swamp Lake Forest Acquisition In 2009, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Trust for Public Land, and Kittitas Conservation Trust partnered to acquire the Swamp Lake Forest from a private landowner. This land provided key habitat for endangered species and other important wildlife. This
Nelson Creek Passage Restoration Project Nelson Creek is a tributary that feeds into the upper Yakima River near river mile 193. Here, a perched, undersized culvert (24" plastic pipe) at the confluence with the Yakima River created a fish passage barrier. Because of the barrier, fish could not access the creek, which
Taneum Creek Fish Passage Project From February 2008 to February 2012, KCT partnered with the Bureau of Reclamation, Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program (YTAHP), WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bruton Water Users, Taneum Canal Co., and the Yakama Nation on a comprehensive analysis of new fish passage alternatives for lower
Hundley Property Conservation Easement The Hundley Property Conservation Easement protects approximately 100 acres of floodplain in the Easton reach of the Yakima River, which has prime spawning and rearing habitat. The Hundley property is comprised of 431 acres with 3 miles of Yakima River shoreline, 40 acres of connected ponds and wetlands,
Holmes Property Acquisition The Holmes Property Acquisition permanently protects 37.5 acres of Yakima River fish habitat. This special area supports Chinook salmon, contributes to reintroduction programs for species no longer existing in the Yakima Sub-basin, and satisfies the intent of our Cooperative Agreement. Yakama Nations acquired the land with the help of
Cle Elum River Cooper Bridge Restoration The Cooper Bridge project was part of broader Cle Elum River floodplain restoration work. The goal was to protect and restore riparian habitat while accommodating appropriate recreational use in the very popular Cooper Bridge area. Dispersed campsites in this area were in close proximity to important
