Wapato Diversion Reconstruction
The Yakama Nation, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and partners, are designing and constructing improvements to the Wapato Diversion Dam (Diversion) on the Yakima River, about two miles south of Union Gap, Washington. The Diversion project is being developed over several years and consists of two main stages: (1) A series of short-term repairs constructed in March of 2024 and (2) The design and construction of features to achieve long-term, multidisciplinary objectives.
Upper Yakima Bull Trout Restoration and Monitoring Project
What We Know About Upper Yakima Bull Trout Populations: Isolated populations of bull trout living in the Upper Yakima Basin face significant challenges such as blocks to adult migration, degraded instream habitats, and invasive species. Sensitive to warming temperatures, they are also increasingly challenged by a changing climate. As a result, Yakima Basin bull trout populations currently consist of low numbers of adult spawners. Extreme seasonal dewatering presents an additional challenge, resulting in frequent stranding and desiccation of juveniles.