Recreating responsibly is key to help protect bull trout in Gold Creek and Keechelus Reservoir, motor vehicle use now restricted within areas
Once found throughout the Columbia River Basin, bull trout residing in the waters of the central Cascades are facing enormous challenges
The sprawling Keechelus Reservoir covering nearly 2,500 acres, along busy Interstate 90 in the central Cascade Mountains, is home to an important native fish species.
These native bull trout — listed statewide as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1998 — are faced with some momentous challenges. Bull trout spawn in the cold Yakima Basin headwaters, and migrate extensively up and down Gold Creek, and the Yakima and Naches rivers.
Once found throughout the Columbia River Basin, bull trout have been monitored in this region since the 1980s where isolated populations declined to extremely low levels. There are now possibly as few as 50 adult bull trout remaining in Gold Creek and the Keechelus Reservoir.
One of the most critical times for bull trout residing in the upper Yakima River Basin is when water in the reservoir is lowered to very low levels leading to frequent stranding of juvenile bull trout from late July through October.
Other factors negatively impacting bull trout during this period include an exposed reservoir bed, blocked fish passage for adult migration, degraded instream habitat, decline in native plant growth, invasive species, and lethal rising water temperatures coupled with a changing climate.
Fish restoration projects and extensive studies are ongoing by many state, federal, and tribal governments as well as volunteer organizations to further curb their decline before it is too late.
The Yakama Nation is working in coordination with bull trout partners, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to formulate a 10-year vison. This vision will include expanding “life boating” (rescuing, transporting, and rearing) juvenile fish populations and beginning the supplementation and reintroduction of bull trout below the reservoirs. Permitting, funding acquisition, and construction for reintroductions is expected to begin in 2025. You can find out details on the Yakama Nation Fisheries website.
Many other partners include the U.S. Forest Service, NOAA Fisheries, Mid-Columbia Fisheries, Bureau of Reclamation, Salmon Recovery Board, irrigators throughout the Yakima Basin, and the Department of Ecology.
To further ensure these fish aren’t negatively impacted, we ask that those who frequent the area to help protect bull trout and recreate responsibly.
BE AWARE OF YOUR ACTIVITIES — And help protect bull trout!
· Emergency closures now restrict vehicle access to Keechelus Lake drawdown area to protect spawning bull trout and habitat
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National has enacted two closures to restrict motorized vehicle use within the Keechelus Lake basin, located onemile southeast of Snoqualmie Pass, WA. The closures are to protect spawning bull trout and their habitat and cultural resources within the Keechelus reservoir area and Gold Creek. Click here to find the news release.
The closures include:
1: A year-round closure to motorized vehicle uses on Lake Keechelus lakebed and shoreline, off roads, and adjacent to the Lake Keechelus boat ramp parking lot.
2: Aseasonal closure of the boat ramp parking lot and a portion of Forest Service Road #9070–219 during reservoir drawdown (once the lake elevation reaches below 2,480 feet). These closures are needed to protect a threatened population of bull trout. Bull trout is a culturally significant species to several Tribes in the Northwest and Columbia River Basin, and Upper Yakima River watershed.
· Illegal driving and camping damages habitat
Illegal recreation can undermine habitat, stream channels, restrict fish movement, and negatively impact bull trout. Keechelus Reservoir, the boat launch area, and Gold Creek are Day Use Only. Use of these areas is prohibited between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The State Park picnic area, with access to the Palouse to Cascade trail, is also closed to overnight camping.
All vehicles are prohibited in the Keechelus Reservoir and Gold Creek (RCW 77.55.031). This includes All-Terrain Vehicles/Off-Road Vehicles — commonly referred as ATVs/ORVs. The only exception is the use of the designated route on the southern end of the parking lot. The use of this route is restricted to the immediate delivery and retrieval of watercraft. No parking is allowed.
Tire tracks from illegal driving and overland camping modify and erode stream channels. This can lead to bull trout becoming stranded and unable to swim upstream. Vehicle use damages the soil and vegetation, causes erosion, sediment and pollution in streams, increased stream temperature, and loss of water quality and stream bank stability.
· Rock dams hurt bull trout
Rock dams modify or prevent flow of water, which can block bull trout from moving upstream to find cool water, spawn, and feed. Enjoy the view of the creek, but please avoid any activities which disturb habitat or harass fish.
· Check fishing regulations
The Keechelus Reservoir itself is open for fishing when the reservoir water level is higher than Gold Creek. Gold Creek is closed to all fishing. Anglers should check the WDFW website for current fishing regulations.
Learn more
For information about bull trout rescue, habitat restoration efforts in the area and public involvement, visit the Gold Creek Valley Restoration Project and the Yakima Integrated Plan. The Kittitas Conservation Trust also has an informative YouTube video on the Gold Creek Restoration Project. Other details on bull trout can be found the WDFW website and the Yakama Nation Fisheries provides details of ongoing restoration projects.
