WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walla Walla District, has granted a five-year construction license to the Benton Conservation District for the Amon Creek Habitat Restoration Project.
The $1.2 million initiative to enhance fish habitats near McNary Lock and Dam will reroute 1,400 feet of the lower Amon Creek channel to connect with a deeper pool in the Yakima River, USACE said in a release.
A low-flow deflector will also be installed to maintain cooler waters during summer, creating natural scour at higher flows.
“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.”
Led by Benton Conservation District in collaboration with Mid-Columbia Fisheries and Yakama Nation Fisheries, the project is supported by 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.”
USACE said the restoration will improve conditions for salmon and trout by increasing water depth and providing cooler habitats. Native vegetation will also be planted to enhance channel stability and water quality.
Rebecca Wassell of Mid-Columbia Fisheries highlighted the importance of cool water refuges, stating, “They provide a place for fish to rest and recover, increasing their chances of reaching their spawning grounds.”
Construction is set to begin in winter/spring 2026 and complete by spring 2027, involving three phases: creating the new channel, installing the deflector and dewatering and replanting the old channel.
