Yakima Basin Integrated Plan

The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (YBIP) is a collaboration of state, federal, tribal, business, and community organizations committed to addressing water, fishery, habitat and climate variability challenges to ensure a robust Yakima River Basin within its built and natural systems.

Learn More About Us

Featured Project

Removal of Bateman Island causeway begins!

The Bateman Island causeway in the Yakima River delta near Richland contributes to the development of a shallow pond of warm, stagnant water — perfect habitat for invasive fish to thrive and prey on young juvenile salmon and steelhead. The causeway blocks a section of the river and fosters an overgrowth of vegetation that limits where salmon can swim. It makes it difficult for juvenile salmon to migrate downstream to the ocean in spring and early summer, while also limiting passage for adult salmon returning to spawn in summer and fall.

WDFW, Yakama Nation Fisheries, the U.S. Army Corps, and Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group worked together with other partners for over 10 years to remove the causeway and restore fish passage for salmon and steelhead. Excavation work begins today, Jan. 5, 2026.

Learn more in WDFW’s blog (The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife – Medium) and check out the City of Richland’s time lapse camera footage (Bateman Island Causeway Removal | Parks News | City of Richland, WA, Parks and Recreation) of the work.

(Photo by Scott Revell – Roza Irrigation District)

To learn more visit: https://yakimabasinintegratedplan.org/resources/#news

Upcoming Meetings

Our Workgroup meets quarterly to receive updates on Yakima Basin Integrated Plan actions and activities, offer input, and share perspectives. The public is encouraged to attend meetings and participate by providing comments. These meetings are being offered in-person and virtually. For more information on how to attend visit our Resources page.

More on the Workgroup

 

2026 YRBWEP Workgroup Meetings

  • March 11, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • June 10, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • September 9, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • December 9, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm

 

YBIP in the News

Causeway Removal Begins at Bateman Island

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan - Press Release

Water banks allow development to occur in water-short Yakima basin

Yakima Herald-Republic

Bateman Causeway: Decades-old salmon barrier finally being removed

Columbia Insight

Yakima Basin restoration projects helped reduce flood damage this month

Yakima Herald-Republic

Yakima Delta Leadership team advances Bateman Island causeway removal. Construction anticipated to begin this winter.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District - Press Release

Yakima Basin water leaders emphasize cooperation amid unprecedented shutoff

Yakima Herald-Republic

Faces of Drought: A Crisis in the Yakima

American Rivers Blog

Water shutoffs happening earlier than usual for some Yakima Basin irrigators

Yakima Herald-Republic

Collaboration in the Yakima Basin: Project kicking off in September will remove water stargrass, improve habitat in Yakima River

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Officials say Tieton Dam in good condition after 100 years of maintaining water supply

Yakima Herald-Republic

Yakima River basin reservoirs at lowest levels on record

Yakima Herald-Republic

Aging Wapato dam critical to Yakama Nation is due for upgrades

Yakima Herald-Republic

Senator Murray Tours Springwood Ranch, Hears From Yakama Nation Members and Local Stakeholders About Historic Co-Management Project

US Senator Patty Murray's Office

Roza Irrigation District goes offline for at least a week to save water for later

Yakima Herald-Republic

Water plan partners celebrate new Springwood Ranch project near Thorp

Yakima Herald-Republic

Springwood Ranch: First Washington land co-owned, managed by a tribe and the state

Northwest Public Broadcasting

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan responds to local drought emergency

Panel dives into Yakima Basin Integrated Plan's history and future

Yakima Herald-Republic

2024 YBIP Highlights

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Partners Complete Acquisition of Springwood Ranch for Water, Fish, Wildlife, and Agriculture

Trust for Public Lands Press Release

USACE and Partners announce finalization of Yakima Delta Ecological Restoration Feasibility Study

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, WALLA WALLA DISTRICT - Press Release

Inside the plan to build a new dam and reservoir in WA

The Seattle Times

Salmon restoration project helps strengthen sockeye population in the Yakima Basin

Washington State Department of Ecology Blog

Heatwave and drought deadly for fish in Yakima Basin

The Yakima Herald-Republic

New Cle Elum fish passage facility is leading the nation in opening salmon habitat, Inslee says

Ellensburg Daily Record

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visits Yakima Basin to celebrate fish and water projects

The Yakima Herald-Republic

WA salmon passage projects are getting more than $75 million

Seattle Times

Officials offer details on future ownership of Springwood Ranch

Ellensburg Daily Record

Yakima River water supply forecast drops to 63%

The Capitol Press

2023 YBIP Highlights

2022 YBIP Highlights

Something entirely new: Using dams to save salmon

Columbia Insight

When it comes to water rights, collaboration beats litigation

The Seattle Times

Climate Change is Ravaging the Colorado River. There's a Model to Avert the Worst.

The New York Times

‘IT’S ALL GOOD FOR FISH’ Little Naches restoration project nears completion, opening up new fish habitat

The Yakima Herald

Western Innovator: Irrigation district manager promotes alternative to water wars

The Capitol Press

A LONG TIME COMING: Floodplain restoration project creates new fish habitat, cleaner water

Yakima Herald

Saving fish in the short- and long-term on the Naches River

Medium: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Washington wineries considering dramatic changes for climate change

The Counter

Contractors begin taking out Nelson Dam on the Naches River

The Seattle Times

Removal of concrete Nelson Dam set to begin Monday

Yakima Herald

Bureau of Reclamation nominee Camille Touton garners bipartisan support in Senate hearing

The Spokesman-Review