First Phase Complete at Yakima River Mile 55 Restoration Project


In mid-November 2025, Mid-Columbia Fisheries reached an exciting milestone for planting at a site on Yakima River Mile 55 near Mabton. The first phase of planting is now complete — an important step toward rebuilding a healthy riparian corridor along this stretch of river.


Crews deep-planted 1,550 native trees and shrubs across 1.5 acres along more than 1,500 feet of river. Using heavy equipment. Plants were installed deep into the soil profile to access reliable moisture and increase long-term survival. The planting includes Black Cottonwood, Peachleaf Willow, Coyote Willow, Arroyo Willow, Red Osier Dogwood, and Water Birch, which will grow into a resilient buffer along the river’s edge, helping filter runoff, provide shade and nutrients to the river, and eventually provide roughness and wood to the river.


This work is part of a larger restoration effort. In upcoming phases, an additional 5.5 acres of terrace will be planted with native bunchgrasses, shrubs, and trees. Together, these plantings will significantly expand the footprint of restored habitat and strengthen ecological function at the site.


Once established, the project will create a native vegetated buffer between an active hop field and the Yakima River. This buffer will serve as a natural filter strip, capturing sediment during surface flows, reducing erosion, improving water quality, and shading the river. To thrive, salmon, steelhead, and resident fish species depend on cool, clean water.


Riparian restoration like this delivers long-term benefits not only for fish and wildlife, but for the entire watershed. Healthy streamside vegetation supports biodiversity, improves water quality, and enhances overall river resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.


The work is being supported by grants from the Washington Department of Ecology and the Washington Conservation Commission’s Riparian Grant Program in partnership with the South Yakima Conservation District. We are grateful for their collaboration and shared commitment to restoring the Yakima River — one reach at a time.

Funding Cuts Threaten Local Salmon & Stream Restoration


State and federal funding cuts are hitting hard—putting boots-on-the-ground restoration, conservation education, and volunteer programs at risk.


At Mid-Columbia Fisheries, this means fewer riparian plantings, fewer students in the field, fewer volunteers restoring streams, and fewer projects that directly improve salmon habitat in the Yakima Basin.


These cuts don’t just reduce line items in a budget. They slow river restoration. They delay habitat recovery. They limit opportunities for the next generation of conservation leaders.


We’re still showing up for our rivers—but we can’t do it alone.

Now more than ever, your support keeps crews planting, students learning, and streams healing.


🔗 Donate today to protect the lands, waters, and salmon we all depend on. Every gift fuels real restoration.

Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group is dedicated to protecting and restoring wild salmonid populations, their habitats, and ecosystem functions that support native fish species through restoration, protection, education, and community involvement throughout our region.

Cowiche Creek Restoration, Yakima, WA