WALLA WALLA, WA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District, has issued a five-year construction license to the Benton Conservation District (BCD) for the Amon Creek Habitat Restoration Project, a $1.2 million initiative aimed at improving fish habitat and migration conditions at the Yakima Delta Habitat Management Unit near McNary Lock and Dam.
The project will reroute approximately 1,400 feet of the lower Amon Creek channel to connect with a deeper pool in the Yakima River. A low-flow deflector will also be installed to maintain Amon Creek’s cooler waters during summer months while creating natural scour at higher flows. These changes are expected to increase average water depth from 0.5 to 1.6 meters, creating cooler, deeper habitat for salmon and trout.
“[USACE] is committed to environmental stewardship and supporting collaborative efforts that benefit both the ecosystem and the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Keller, a Realty Specialist with the Walla Walla District. “By issuing this license, we’re enabling a project that will have a lasting positive impact on fish populations and the overall health of the Yakima Basin.”
The project is led by BCD in coordination with Mid-Columbia Fisheries and Yakama Nation Fisheries, with support from the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.
“This project, paired with [other ongoing projects], is a significant step toward improving fish passage through the Yakima River Delta,” said Zack Zacavish of Yakama Nation Fisheries. “These efforts help preserve the Yakama Nation’s way of life while striving to return salmon stocks to harvestable levels.”
In addition to cooler waters, initial assessments determined the project could also reduce physiological stress while improving reproductive outcomes for salmonid populations. Work will also include planting native vegetation to improve channel stability, water quality, and riparian habitat.
“Amon Creek was identified as an ideal location for a cool-water refuge site,” said Marcella Appel of Benton Conservation District. “It combines cooler water, sufficient volume, accessibility, and the cooperation of partners like USACE to make habitat improvements.”
“Cool water refuges are vital for salmon during their upstream migration,” said Rebecca Wassell of Mid-Columbia Fisheries. “They provide a place for fish to rest and recover, increasing their chances of reaching their spawning grounds.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in winter/spring 2026 and be completed by spring 2027. The project will be built in three phases: creating the new channel, installing the deflector, and dewatering and replanting the old channel.
For more information you can contact the Walla Walla District at 509-527-7020 or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WallaWallaUSACE or www.facebook.com/millcreekdam.
