Category Overview
Washington is famous for its gorgeous and abundant waterways, from the Salish Sea to the Nisqually River, but many communities lack open public beaches and waterfronts where everyone can enjoy picnicking, swimming, paddling, boating, and angling. Water Access projects fund public shoreline access, boat launches, and fishing docks to create more opportunities for water recreation.
Project Highlights
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife used this grant to improve Beebe Springs Natural Area, which surrounds the Chelan Hatchery. The project is Phase 3 of a a multi-phased project to preserve and restore riparian and shrubsteppe habitat on a property formerly in orchard. Phase 3 included extending the trail system and completing additional riparian habitat and anadromous fish rearing enhancements. A side-channel rearing area and islands for anadromous fish along the Columbia River shoreline, shrub steppe restoration, and native riparian plant restoration were developed. Upland improvements included an extension of the trail loop, a hand-carry boat launch that will provide access for small boats, and interpretive signage. JA Brennan Associates in collaboration with URS prepared detailed plans and specifications for extensive additional side channels connected with the main stem of the Columbia River to provide off channel rearing for steelhead, trout and salmon. They designed expanded trails to connect both the past and present improvements at the site, Landscape planting, interpretive panels and all necessary regulatory permits for the work were included in their tasks. The design effort included an experimental rearing pond fed directly with Beebe Creek water to provide rearing opportunities off channel without intrusion of native predators from the main stem of the Columbia.