Hanson Ponds Assessment & Design

Kittitas Conservation Trust (KCT) used grant funding to assess the potential for restoration and develop conceptual designs to enhance 81.7 acres and 2.34 miles of salmonid habitat. The project area is located at Hanson Ponds and the adjacent Yakima River in Kittitas County, south of Cle Elum and I-90. The goals of the project are to increase the quality of main-stem and off-channel habitat for rearing salmonids when the future restoration project is constructed. KCT assessed limiting factors and the feasibility of restoration alternatives to improve habitat function and values. Assessment included evaluation of whether alterations to existing levee infrastructure were impairing floodplain functions. Furthermore, KCT worked with partners to develop an outreach plan to engage the community in salmon recovery at this popular recreational area.

The project site provides habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead, Coho Salmon, Spring Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Cutthroat Trout. KCT will build on the previous work of the Yakama Nation to provide off-channel refugia for salmonids at Hanson Ponds. The project was timely because the City of Cle Elum received funding for bank stabilization to protect critical infrastructure, and enhance recreation opportunities at Hansen Ponds. Once implemented, KCTs habitat enhancement designs will ensure that past habitat expansion projects and current projects by our partners continue to benefit salmonids, resident fish, wildlife, and human experience.

The goal of the project was to develop conceptual design for a restoration project that will increase the quality of Yakima River main-stem and off-channel habitat for rearing salmonids.