Building a Future
for Water, Wildlife,
and Working Lands

Photo credit: Tom Ring

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

Cle Elum Fish Passage Facilities and Fish Reintroduction Project

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the Bureau of Reclamation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the State of Washington, celebrated the Cle Elum Dam and Reservoir’s completion of the Juvenile Facility and Groundbreaking for Adult Collection Facility construction. The fish passage facilities at Cle Elum Dam will facilitate restoration of salmon and steelhead populations in the Cle Elum River to allow a return of one of the largest sockeye salmon run in the lower 48 states and will benefit threatened species like bull trout, steelhead, and recently reintroduced species including sockeye and coho salmon. This historic milestone opened almost 30 miles of critical habitat above Cle Elum Dam and Reservoir.

To learn more visit: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/eis/cle-elum/index.html

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 on WebEx. For more information on how to attend visit our Resources page.

More on the Workgroup

 

2024 YRBWEP Workgroup Meetings

  • March 13, 2024, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • June 5, 2024, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • September 11, 2024, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • December 11, 2024, 9:30am – 12:30pm

 

YBIP in the News

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

The Seattle Times August 22, 2024

Salmon restoration project helps strengthen sockeye population in the Yakima Basin

Washington State Department of Ecology Blog April 20, 2024

Heatwave and drought deadly for fish in Yakima Basin

The Yakima Herald-Republic August 1, 2024

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

Ellensburg Daily Record July 27, 2024

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

The Yakima Herald-Republic July 24, 2024

WA salmon passage projects are getting more than $75 million

Seattle Times May 30, 2024

Officials offer details on future ownership of Springwood Ranch

Ellensburg Daily Record April 20, 2024

Yakima River water supply forecast drops to 63%

The Capitol Press April 5, 2024

2023 YBIP Highlights

2022 YBIP Highlights

December 2022

Something entirely new: Using dams to save salmon

Columbia Insight December 15, 2022

When it comes to water rights, collaboration beats litigation

The Seattle Times September 19, 2022

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

The New York Times September 5, 2022

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

The Yakima Herald August 23, 2022

Western Innovator: Irrigation district manager promotes alternative to water wars

The Capitol Press July 28, 2022

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

Yakima Herald November 17, 2021

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

Medium: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife November 5, 2021

Washington wineries considering dramatic changes for climate change

The Counter October 19, 2021

Contractors begin taking out Nelson Dam on the Naches River

The Seattle Times October 18, 2021

Removal of concrete Nelson Dam set to begin Monday

Yakima Herald October 17, 2021

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

The Spokesman-Review September 21, 2021