Protecting the final link within the Haul Road corridor
With the recent conservation of a 37-acre parcel, the Land Trust has completed conservation of a critical reach of the Klickitat River
Columbia Land Trust has a long conservation legacy in the Klickitat River watershed, which is the longest free-flowing tributary to the Columbia River in Washington State and the site of one of our most impactful restoration projects ever, the removal of the Haul Road. We purchased this property in 2007, after a private logging road washed out during a flood and was rendered unusable. Then, together with the Yakama Nation Fisheries program, we spent nearly a decade removing eight miles of road to reconnect the Klickitat River to its floodplain and restore wild, natural conditions.
Now, 18 years after initially purchasing the road, we have completed conservation of a critical inholding property along this section of river. The newly conserved parcel sits almost entirely within the floodplain and includes naturally functioning riparian systems as well as an important side channel for salmonid spawning and juvenile rearing, with cold water, shade, and clean gravel.
Columbia Land Trust already manages the lands to the north and south of this property, which is also bounded by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife land to the east.
“This conservation acquisition completes the Land Trust’s 20-year vision to fully conserve the active floodplain of this critical reach of the Klickitat River,” said Land Trust Conservation Director Nate Ulrich.
Because of its immediate proximity to existing Land Trust stewardship units, the previous owners had allowed us to do restoration work here during the Haul Road removal, so the site has minimal immediate stewardship needs. Going forward, it will be managed as part of the surrounding Haul Road stewardship unit, with a focus on controlling weeds, encouraging riparian vegetation, and supporting floodplain habitat.
“The Klickitat River is a very special place and conserving this inholding is a testament to Columbia Land Trust’s long-term vision and commitment,” said Ulrich.
This project was completed with funding from the Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Columbia Land Trust would also like to thank Michael, Bob, and Jim Van de Vanter for working with us to conserve this land that is important to their family.