Floodplain Restoration for Salmonid Habitat in the Yakima Basin

The Yakima River Basin in Washington State was once home to thriving salmonid populations, that are important cultural and economic species to Tribal Nations in the basin. Salmonid populations have declined due to habitat degradation and fish passage barriers. To address these issues, the Bureau of Reclamation created the Schaake Habitat Improvement Project. This will restore 130 acres of floodplain within the Schaake property (a former cattle feedlot riverfront property) for salmonid habitat. This project also included flood reduction measures and protections for nearby infrastructure. Restoration created 1.8 miles of side channel habitat, installed woody material throughout the floodplain, and removed a levee, reconnecting 130 acres of natural floodplain.