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

Springwood Ranch: built on mutual trust and commitment

Yakama Nation hosted a celebration at the Springwood Ranch “party barn,” located just outside of Thorp, Washington, to commemorate a historical land acquisition. In addition to Yakama Nation and Thorp community members, the event welcomed honored guests from The Trust for Public Land, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kittitas County, local irrigation districts, and nonprofit environmental organizations. About 300 guests attended the event and were treated to a hefty number of guest speakers, as well as a salmon luncheon. The purchase of the 3,600-acre Springwood Ranch in 2023 was driven by Integrated Plan partners’ interest in acquiring some of the property for an off-channel reservoir for storing water for fisheries and agriculture in the Yakima Basin, especially in times of drought. To learn more about the celebration and the future of Springwood Ranch, click on a co-owner’s name below.

Yakama Nation

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Kittitas Reclamation District

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

 

2025 YRBWEP Workgroup Meetings

  • March 12, 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • June 18, 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • September 10, 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • December 10, 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm

 

YBIP in the News

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

US Senator Patty Murray's Office May 28, 2025

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

Yakima Herald-Republic May 23, 2025

Water plan partners celebrate new Springwood Ranch project near Thorp

Yakima Herald-Republic May 10, 2025

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

Northwest Public Broadcasting May 7, 2025

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan responds to local drought emergency

April 10, 2025

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

Yakima Herald-Republic March 10, 2025

2024 YBIP Highlights

December 2024

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

Trust for Public Lands Press Release November 1, 2024

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

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, WALLA WALLA DISTRICT - Press Release October 28, 2024

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