This contract describes actions to improve habitat complexity, riparian and floodplain function, and water quality in the Walla Walla Basin for the benefit of ESA-listed summer steelhead, bull trout, and reintroduced spring chinook salmon. High summertime water temperatures and a lack of functional tributary habitat are two primary limiting factors for the Walla Walla Basin aquatic species. Under this BPA contract, the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council (WWBWC) will continue our ongoing work to improve spawning and rearing habitat in the North Fork Walla Walla River and Couse Creek with treatments to improve aquatic and riparian habitat complexity. North Fork projects include an implementation phase and two design phases that will advance our efforts to complete a 5-mile restoration reach on private property. Couse Creek projects include a low-tech implementation phase at RM 4 and 100% design phase at RM 7, which were both identified in the Couse Creek Watershed Assessment.  

Work within this contract will also address the well-documented water quality impairments affecting juvenile steelhead in the Walla Walla Basin. Spring protection and riparian restoration in the West Little Walla River system will improve water quality for juvenile steelhead rearing.  

The WWBWC will continue assessing the Walla Walla Basin tributaries with the Dry Creek and Lower Pine Creek assessment, which will identify specific actions to improve water quality and quantity, remove fish passage barriers, and provide rearing habitat for steelhead and redband trout.

The WWBWC identified these projects through staff conversations with basin partners, working with property owners, and review of limiting factors and priorities listed in regional salmon recovery plans. In alignment with the Walla Walla Water 2050 Watershed Strategy, all identified projects address Tier 1 priorities and strive to meet the desired future conditions of our watershed established by the 2050 Basin Advisory Committee, ensuring long-term sustainability and health. The WWBWC will continue to work with basin partners to implement high priority projects to improve conditions for ESA-listed salmonids.