Ecological Concerns:

Instream Structural Complexity

Dry Creek RM 1.8-3.8

Yakama Nation Fisheries has developed a restoration design for Dry Creek River Mile 1.8-3.8. This design, informed by a Geomorphic Assessment and Seepage Study, will guide instream and riparian wood enrichment, constructed margin jams, and removal of a spoil pile within the floodplain. These efforts aim to encourage natural wood accumulation, bank erosion for wood recruitment, and activation of floodplains, side channels, and alcove habitat to improve conditions for steelhead lifecycles.

Dry Creek Confluence Project

Yakama Nation Fisheries is managing the Dry Creek Confluence Project, located where it joins Wind River,  which aims to improve habitat for threatened steelhead populations. This project is part of a larger effort to address key issues affecting aquatic species in the Wind River Watershed, specifically  to restore habitat area of high priority for steelhead recovery. Adding large woody debris to creates in-stream structures that are vital for healthy salmon and steelhead populations. The Wind River is managed as a wild steelhead gene bank, making it a high-priority area for recovery.

Yakima Basin "Wood Fiesta"

The Yakima Basin "Wood Fiesta" Helicopter Aquatic Restoration project is a multi-watershed collaborative effort aimed at enhancing aquatic habitat in remote watersheds that have been greatly altered by past management practices.  Large wood will be placed in stream and on the floodplain of seven Yakima River tributaries using a helicopter to improve habitat for native fish species.  The projects are located in remote areas where terrain and or vegetation limits the use of ground-based equipment to place large wood.  More information on these projects and associated temporar

Natapoc Habitat Enhancement Project (Large Woody Material Option)

 This project entails placing large woody material (LWM) along the mainstem Upper Wenatchee River in crib-like structures.  The length of the treatment will be for approximately 100 yds. however; the treatment will be non-continuous in favor of utilizing gaps in the riparian canopy as well as further minimizing disturbance to riparian bank vegetation for exact structure placement.  

3-D Habitat Enhancement Project

This fish habitat enhancement project recreates habitat that is below historical and potential conditions. A total of 7 logjams were constructed in areas that would naturally accumulate wood, channel migration rates will be slowed while improving fish habitat. Large woody debris (LWD) was partially buried in adjacent banks and it extends out into the active channel. Buried vertical snags are associated with each logjam site to provide stability and increase wood recruitment.

Nason Creek Inner Zone Project Identification

A Reach Assessment (RA) of the Lower White Pine Reach (LWP) of Nason Creek, Chelan County, WA was completed in 2009 by the USBR. The RA examines the condition of fluvial geomorphic processes and the effect on salmonid habitat, and identifies priority restoration strategies and areas. The effort presented in this document builds on the work completed in the RA by identifying more specific project opportunities within portions of the reach.

White Sturgeon Management Project

Yakama Nation Fisheries (YNF) has been exploring sturgeon culture requirements by rearing small numbers of white sturgeon in tribal hatchery facilities since the 1990s.  Fish were obtained from various sources, including the private Pelfrey sturgeon hatchery operating downstream from Bonneville Dam and mid-Columbia hatchery research by CRITFC and the USFWS. 

Pacific Lamprey Project

The Yakama Nation is working to restore natural production of Pacific lamprey to a level that will provide robust species abundance, significant ecological contributions and meaningful harvest within the Yakama Nations Ceded Lands and in the Usual and Accustomed areas.