Tri-State Steelheaders

RESTORATION:The Mill Creek passage projects are a multi-year, multi-phase approach to improving fish passage in the six-mile flood control channel that runs through Walla Walla. MILL CREEK FISH PASSAGE DIVISION TO ROOSEVELTFunding was secured in 2019 from the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board for construction of passage improvements to 2,000 feet of the concrete channel. Due to escalation in the cost of project materials, only 1,200 feet of the planned project was completed in 2022. The remainder will be completed as a stand-alone project in 2023 or 2024. MILL CREEK FISH PASSAGE DESIGN 6TH AVE EXTENSION and Spokane to Park For these two projects, final plans and specifications were completed in early 2022. Combined, these projects will provide passage in 2,500 feet of the concrete channel. The Spokane to Park project is planned for 2023 construction. MILL CREEK FISH PASSAGE DESIGN Gose St Conceputal DesignIn 2020, the flood of record on Mill Creek created a new fish passage barrier at the downstream end of the Mill Creek flood control channel. The stream bed scoured down about five feet, creating a barrier. This project started in 2022, engaging private, public, and government stakeholders to identify alternatives, and select a preferred alternative. A conceptual design will be completed in 2023.BRIDGE TO BRIDGE RESTORATION PHASE 3The Bridge to Bridge project is intended to improve in-stream habitat, riparian habitat, and floodplain function on about two miles of the lower Walla Walla River. Phase 3 design work continued in 2022 and will be completed in spring of 2023. The design includes log structures to create resting pools, cover from predators, complex habitat, and other conditions favorable to fish. The plans will be used to apply for construction funding in 2023.BREWER WETLANDThis 23-acre site has been improved with mitigation funding for impacts to regional wetlands. Starting in 2010, three new ponds created 1.25 acres of open water. In late 2015 and early 2016, five acres at the north end of the site were enclosed with deer fencing, seeded with a native grass mix, and planted with over 5,000 trees and shrubs. In 2017, AmeriCorps volunteers planted additional trees to replace initial plantings that did not survive. In 2022, site maintenance was conducted, and the site continues to perform well.

RECREATION:SUPPORT OF JUMBO TROUT PROGRAMTri-State Steelheaders continued to support the WDFW Jumbo Trout Program by purchasing food used to raise about 4,000 rainbow trout. Jumbos are about 1.5 2 pounds, and are released into approximately 20 southeastern Washington lakes, including Bennington Lake in Walla Walla. This program is popular with anglers, and would be discontinued by WDFW without the financial support of the Steelheaders. KIDS FISHING DAYSKids Fishing Days resumed in 2022 after being cancelled by COVID in 2020 and 2021. Tri-State Steelheaders and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers co-sponsor the annual Kids Fishing Day at Bennington Lake on the Free Fishing Weekend in June. We also partner with the Forest Service to hold a Kids Fishing Day at Jubilee Lake in July. This year, 165 kids registered for the events. Rods and reels were available to loan to kids who did not have gear of their own. New fishing poles and other prizes were given out in a raffle and to winners of the Casting Contest and Biggest Fish Contest. Participants also enjoyed free hot dogs and soda. The events were made possible by our partnering agencies and by many local volunteers and businesses.

EDUCATION:SALMON IN SCHOOL The Salmon in School program allows students a hands-on STEM learning experience through raising and releasing salmon. For the 2021-2022 school year, the program provided 17 aquariums in area schools in Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield counties. Chinook salmon eggs were delivered to the classroom tanks in October. Students watched them hatch into the alevin stage and then absorb their yolk sacs to become fry. During the months that the fish were growing, our staff provided in-class lessons on fish anatomy, salmon life cycle, watershed health, and fish art. In the spring, students released their fry into Mill Creek, the Touchet River, and the Tucannon River. For the 2022-2023 school year, the program grew to 21 sites.