Prosser Diversion Dam Improvement Project
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (YN), in conjunction with the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID), United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR), Washington State Department of Ecology, and Washington State Department of Fish Wildlife, and other project partners desire to develop project alternatives that improve fish passage and operations at the Prosser Diversion Dam on the Yakima River.
Wanawish Dam Improvement Project
The Yakama Nation, Ecology, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and project partners are implementing the Wanawish Dam Improvement Project, about 18 river miles upstream from the Columbia River. The Wanawish Dam Improvement project is a multi-year effort consisting of three main phases: (1) identifying suitable Wanawish Dam alternatives, (2) permitting and design, and (3) construction of the partner-selected preferred alternative, which is expected to begin in 2030.
Columbia River Mainstem Fish Tissue and Water Quality Monitoring Program
In 2016, Yakama Nation staff began working with Washington Department of Ecology to outline a vision for a Columbia River toxics monitoring program. With this vision, we implemented an outreach program to seek input and support from Columbia River stakeholders.
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.
Columbia Basin Toxics Cleanup
The Yakama Nation is a federally recognized Tribe, pursuant to the Treaty of 1855 (12 Stat. 951), with authority to manage, protect and restore treaty resources throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River is frequently referred to and honored as "the life blood of the Yakama Nation." Currently, the Columbia River is a polluted and life-threatening environment for salmon and other aquatic resources primarily because of industrial development.