The Walla Walla River flows from the northern Blue Mountains into the Columbia River near Wallula, Washington. The river originates at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet and the Walla Walla watershed covers an area of 1,758 square miles. The majority of the basin (~75%) is located in southeastern Washington with the remainder located in northeastern Oregon.
Historically, the Walla Walla basin supported healthy populations of steelhead, Bull Trout, Chinook Salmon, freshwater mussels, and lamprey. Currently, two fish species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act are present in the basin: Middle Columbia River steelhead (anadromous Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Bull Trout (Salvenlinus confluentus). The last significant run of spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the basin occurred in 1925 and declined until extirpated in the 1950’s.
Learn more about what is being done
Measurable Results
The restoration efforts in the Walla Walla River Basin are substantial. Here are some of our measurable accomplishments:
Featured Projects
Here are some of our featured restoration projects. Click the image for more information or view all projects.
Project Goal
To protect, enhance and restore functional, healthy and sustainable floodplain, channel and watershed process for the purpose of protecting and restoring fisheries and aquatic species in the Walla Walla Basin.Project Objective
1) identify priority actions; 2) improve watershed function and fish habitat; 3) improve project success through maintenance; 4) measure effectiveness through monitoring and apply learned concepts; and 5) develop partnerships with key agencies and stakeholders.Project Funders
| Funder | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | $6,097,604 |
| Snake River Salmon Recovery Board | $1,372,695 |
| Floodplains by Design | $706,207 |
| Tri State Steelheaders | $476,224 |
| CTUIR | $353,500 |
| Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board | $213,250 |
| Oregon Department of Environmental Quality | $159,900 |
| Department of Ecology | $150,000 |
| US Fish & Wildlife Service | $117,000 |
| Milton-Freewater Water Control District | $92,632 |
| Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council | $26,603 |
| US Forest Service | $20,219 |
| Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund | $10,000 |
| Blue Mountain Land Trust | $8,000 |
Project Partners
