Upper Yakima Basin
The "Upper Yakima" refers to projects from the headwaters to the Yakima River Canyon. MCF has numerous projects in this region. Check them out below!
Mercer Creek Riparian Restoration
The Mercer Creek Riparian Restoration project, located along 1,200 ft of Mercer Creek between Airport Road and East Helena Avenue in Ellensburg, aims to enhance floodplain and riparian habitat.
Reecer Creek Floodplain
Reecer Creek is a tributary to the Yakima River in Ellensburg, WA. Until October of 2010, nearly 4,000 feet of the stream's lowest reach was confined by a levee. The Reecer Creek Floodplain Restoration project is a collaborative effort to restore floodplain function, enhance salmon habitat, and provide educational and recreational opportunities in this reach of the stream.
Teanaway
Large-scale and comprehensive restoration to continue restoring the largest steelhead producer in the Upper Yakima basin. Click on the button below to explore restoration underway or planned in all the forks and tributaries.
Cottonwood Reforestation
Mid-Columbia Fisheries and our partners have been working to assess the size, condition, and age of cottonwood forests along the river.
Jack Creek Restoration
The Jack Creek Restoration project aims to restore streambank condition, floodplain function, and spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead, Chinook, interior redband and westslope cutthroat.
Bull Canal Diversion
Plans are underway to improve fish survival, water quality, and flow in the Yakima River Side Channel at Irene Rinehart Park in Ellensburg.
East Branch Wilson Creek
In 2015, Mid-Columbia Fisheries removed a check dam, concrete, and plenty of trash including larger pieces such as auto parts and shopping carts. To restore this section of Wilson Creek, a contractor re-graded the site to restore the function of the floodplain and then native plants were installed along 800 feet of stream as part of the work to restore habitat.
Spring Creek
In a collaboration with Kittitas County Public Works, were working to help improve floodplain functions on this spring fed tributary of the Yakima River.
Yakima River at River Mile 150 Restoration
In 2023, Mid-Columbia Fisheries began preparation for a large project to reduce sediment build-up, streambank erosion, fecal coliform levels, and river temperatures on this section of the Yakima River.
Ringer Loop Restoration
A 43-acre parcel west of Ringer Loop Road acquired by Kittitas County in 2017 to increase management opportunities for flood risk reduction is currently managed by Mid-Columbia Fisheries.
Reforestation at Sorenson Creek
Located south of River Bottom Road in Ellensburg, Sorenson Creek is a tributary of the Yakima River located entirely on the property of a single landowner. Mid-Columbia has worked tirelessly to help improve riparian function and improve fish and wildlife habitat.