While most human activity within the Walla Walla basin remains agriculture-based (with the exception of urban areas), resource conditions exhibit a great deal of variability in different zones. In relative terms, fish and wildlife habitat remains the most intact and similar to historical conditions among the basin foothills and higher elevations; however, a century of fire suppression and silvicultural management has altered canopy structure, density and composition from conditions immediately preceding Anglo-American settlement. In general, however, upland ecosystems remain healthy and diverse, and the biological composition continues to be dominated by native plant and animal species. Lower regions in the basin (particularly valley bottoms and other areas of intensive agriculture, along with residential development) are marked by far more dramatic changes in vegetative composition, habitat connectivity, and habitat abundance. Lower habitat zones in the basin have benefited from improved soil, water, and crop management, but efforts are still needed to improve and expand instream, riparian, and meadow habitat types. Intensive development for urban uses and agriculture have limited terrestrial and aquatic habitat quantity and quality, and invasive weeds continue to erode habitat complexity, diversity, soil stability, and economic productivity. Human-induced channel management actions continue to limit aquatic habitat complexity and abundance; however, habitat throughout the basin has seen improvement over the past few years due to removal or altering of passage barriers, and improvements in water management and irrigation efficiency. Since 2001, this has been most notable in the Tum-A-Lum branch of the river, which now flows year-round for the first time in over 100 years.

Aquatic Wildlife and Habitat
Bull Trout (ESA-listed “Threatened” within the Columbia River DPS), typically migrate and rear along all reaches of the North Fork, South Fork, Mill Creek, and Main Stem . Bull Trout spawning occurs in the upper North and South Forks and Mill Creek. Current population estimates put the South Fork Walla Walla population at 6652, ±1548 (Vatland et al., 2003) (Figure 7). Basin-wide, little data exists indicating anything beyond general trends in population.

Spring chinook salmon were reintroduced to the South Fork Walla Walla River in 2000, 2001, 2002, and are expected to continue efforts in 2003. Adult Chinook were outplanted in Mill Creek in 2000 and 2001. For the first time since the mid-1950’s, Chinook are using the South Fork and upper Mill creek for spawning and South Fork, Main Stem and Mill Creek for rearing, and the main stem for migration. The salmon are surplus adults from the Ringold Hatchery near Priest Rapids, Wash. In 2001, 364 mature adult spring chinook produced 136 redds in the South Fork Walla Walla River (RM 5.3 and 7.0) and Mill Creek (RM 22.3, Figure 7). Biologists from the Confederated Tribes saw juveniles in spring of 2001 as a result of the initial outplanting, and measured even greater success that fall from a two-day release that occurred in early August.

Summer Steelhead (ESA – listed “Threatened” Mid-Columbia Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) utilize Mill Creek and the North and South Forks for spawning and rearing, and Main Stem for migration. the number of adult steelhead returning to the subbasin has declined through the nineties, but significantly improved in the 1999-2000 run year, when all Columbia River returns were up. During the 1999-2000 run, steelhead escapement was estimated at 527 adults at Milton-Freewater (Saul, 2002). The 2000-2001 run year was estimated at 455 adults at Milton-Freewater, and the 2001-2002 estimated escapement was 1205 adults. The count numbers for 2002-2003 as of June 3rd were 547 adults. NOAA fisheries has set an interim Walla Walla Subbasin escapement goal of 2600 wild adults (this also includes Mill Creek and Touchet River.)

Redband trout, mountain whitefish, Pacific lamprey, and margined sculpin are listed as state “Species of Concern” and are present in the Main Stem, and the North and South Forks. However, very little is known about the Walla Walla redband due to the difficulty in distinguishing them from juvenile or residual steelhead. Resident redband trout in anadromous waters are included in the ESA listing of steelhead and are managed the same as steelhead. Spawning and rearing by large resident trout appears to be increasing in the basin (Saul, 2002), but trend data is lacking. Along the private reaches of the North Fork Walla Walla River, riparian conditions could benefit from restoration measures in some areas. Dominant land uses adjacent to, and sometimes including riparian areas, include pasture, hay production, orchards, forestry, and dispersed rural residential. There has been some straightening of the channel through the 20th century for expanding agricultural land use and attempts at flood control, but a limited meander occurs. A limited riparian buffer (10 –100 feet) and canopy exists along its entire length. There are a few isolated areas of riprap for flood control and channel confinement. Habitat is suitable for bull trout rearing throughout the North Fork, however the river is more limited in water quality and quantity toward the mouth. The OWRD flow gage at North Fork RM5.8 (Fig. 5) has averaged 8.0 cfs in August from 1969-1991. Flows at the North Fork bridge (River Mile RM0.4) range from 5-10 cfs July through September, and habitat is limited by low flow, limited depth, and temperatures that reach the mid 70s.

Riparian conditions on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in the South Fork headwaters are nearly pristine, with excellent habitat quantity and quality. The downstream private reach extends for nine miles. Dominant land uses adjacent to and including these riparian areas include pasture, hay production, orchards, forestry, vineyards, and dispersed rural residential. South Fork Walla Walla River riparian conditions would benefit from some protection and restoration measures in some locations. There has been some straightening of the channel through the century for expanding agricultural land use and attempts at flood control, but a limited meander occurs and a limited riparian buffer (10 –100 feet) and canopy exists along the entire length. There are a few sections of “sugar dike” levees. Flows at the South Fork bridge just upstream from its confluence with the North Fork range from 95-100 cfs in August. Water quality complies with DEQ standards for pH and dissolved oxygen, and 7-day maximum temperatures only averaged 63.8 degrees at the mouth (2002). The OWRD flow gage at South Fork RM10 has averaged 108.6 cfs in August from 1903-1991.

Riparian conditions on the main stem Walla Walla River above Milton-Freewater and the Tum-A-Lum branch below the city would benefit in many places from restoration efforts; however, the reach between Cemetery and Nursery bridges exhibits relatively good meander, canopy cover and shade, and habitat complexity. Below Nursery Bridge, conditions degrade rapidly, due mainly to effects associated with the Army Corps. of Engineers flood-control levee constructed in the 1950’s. There has been some straightening of the channel for expanding agricultural land use and attempts at flood control, but a limited meander occurs and a limited riparian buffer (10 –100 feet) and canopy exists along the channel’s entire length. There are a few sections of privately constructed levees. Closer to Milton Freewater, a six- mile Corps. of Engineers levee system has been installed from Main Stem RM48.5 to RM42.4. Meander is minimal within the Corps.’ levee below Nursery Bridge. Additional flows have the immediate potential to increase summer habitat in the mid to lower reaches of the main stem. Flows at the upriver end of Milton-Freewater RM47 are typically 95-100 cfs in August. Water quality complies with DEQ standards for pH and dissolved oxygen, and 7 day maximum temperatures reached 68 degrees at that location in 2002. The Milton-Freewater irrigation districts are now operating under a legal agreement with the Federal government to bypass at least 25 cfs of main stem river flows past their diversions from June 15th through November. Of that 25 cfs, close to half is lost through seepage into the underlying gravel substrate. These flows fluctuated between 25 and 9 cfs through the summer of 2002, and benefited conditions in the main stem, providing greater connectivity at critical times. Water conservation/bypass efforts since 2000, 2001, 2002 are improving flows as far downstream as Lowden (RM 26).

Mill Creek headwaters are located in Washington and Oregon and are protected as a municipal watershed. The stream crosses the state line into Oregon and flows through a stretch of rural residential development before reentering Washington. August flows range from 25-35 cfs through the Oregon reach of Mill Creek.

Fish habitat conditions for intermittent basin streams range from fair to poor. Cottonwood, Couse, Dry, Birch, and Pine creeks are all intermittent streams that generally dry up during the summer months. It is widely believed that in most cases these streams were historically intermittent. Riparian conditions and instream habitat complexity are generally fair, with a limited buffer (10-50 ft.) and fair to good meander. Lower reaches of Cottonwood, Couse, and Birch creeks are experiencing substantial instability (exhibited by channel braiding, large width to depth ratios, excessive erosion, etc.) due to rapid gradient changes and past management practices. However, these streams receive winter use by a number of fish species, including summer steelhead. The middle and headwater reaches of Pine Creek contain relatively good riparian buffers but flows are limited. Most of these tributaries dry up by the end of June.

Terrestrial wildlife and habitat
Basin land uses outside of riparian areas include: forestry, cropland, orchards and vineyards, herbaceous rangeland, shrub and brush rangeland, confined feeding operations, mixed urban, residential, industrial, and commercial.

Headwater zones within the basin are generally within historic ranges of variability in terms of habitat abundance and complexity. These areas, characterized predominantly by coniferous forest/bunchgrass meadow complexes, and continue to be dominated, in general, by native flora and fauna. Although the structure and composition of habitat has been dramatically influenced by fire exclusion, grazing, and silvicultural practices, this has both positive and negative implications for wildlife habitat.

Mid elevations are characterized by bunchgrass/shrub associations and dryland wheat farming. Where ground is not currently in production, habitat remains intact and abundant, and is primarily composed of grass/shrub associations. Many acres of marginal farm land have been enrolled in the NRCS Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), to the benefit of both farmers and wildlife. Ponderosa pine is currently naturally regenerating in some areas and are now 1-15 years old.

Below these elevations, land is heavily cultivated in either dryland wheat or irrigated agriculture. These lands provide some habitat for a variety of species, particularly along valley bottoms, where past irrigation management have benefited the historically-present Walla Walla “spring branches.” These springs and “distributaries,” (which break apart from and later rejoin the “Tum-A-Lum” branch, also referred to as the “main stem;” Fig. 7), provide valuable habitat for wildlife needing cover, water, and food. In lower elevations not producing apples, wheat, alfalfa, asparagus, or other local crops, the primary native vegetative compositions are bunchgrass communities, which have largely been replaced by exotic annual species. Riparian zones are usually dominated by willow and cottonwood associations. While providing crucial habitat for the majority of terrestrial species existing at these elevations, riparian and bunchgrass communities are rare and currently threatened by some land use practices and changing water management. In particular, several springs and streams in the lower basin that for decades provided perennial riparian and aquatic habitat are drying up, possibly as a result of changes in irrigation practices and diverting water to the Tum-A-Lum branch and away from other system “distributaries.”

Noxious weed infestation remains a problem for all areas in the basin, particularly at mid to low elevations. Invasive species such as yellow star thistle, canary reedgrass, knapweed, yellow spurge, and cheat grass are among the list of plants threatening the diversity and range of native flora within the basin, and severely limiting the quality and productivity of farm and range land.

Management Successes and Challenges
Agriculture remains the dominant economic force in the valley, which produces world-class wheat, apples, asparagus, onions, cherries, wine grapes, hay and alfalfa seed. Improvements in water delivery and on-farm efficiency have assisted the Walla Walla Irrigation District and Hudson Bay Improvement Company to bypass 25 cfs of water throughout the summer in 2002, while continuing to serve patrons (Fig. 3). This was spurred by a civil penalty agreement reached by basin irrigation districts and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The agreement has at its foundation a commitment by the irrigation districts to bypass a minimum of 25 cfs throughout the year and monitor results. Summer Steelhead and Bull Trout (both present in the basin) are listed under the Endangered Species act as “Threatened.”

Some riparian areas have been fenced off from cattle and horse grazing are showing signs of successful recovery, while other areas exist that can also benefit from restoration measures. The NRCS Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Tribal Habitat Program have provided valuable tools to landowners and resource managers seeking to improve upland conditions, but significant potential remains to be met for implementing the Conservation Reserve and Enhancement Program (CREP). The Oregon half of the basin is not facing substantial pressures in population growth, but water resources are currently over-allocated at certain times of the year. Road construction has slowed throughout the basin, although a proposal remains for constructing a road extension up the upper North Fork valley. Current roads (particularly unimproved local or county roads) continue to contribute sediment; however, improvements have been made, most notably on Government Mountain road where a variety of practices were installed to minimize soil transport and erosion (Fig. 8).

This is the description of the Walla Walla Watershed conditions that appears in the 2003 Strategic Action Plan.  Links to download the Figures mentioned, as well as the entire document, can be found on the 2003 Strategic Action Page.