Conservation/Environment Habitat Management

Chelan PUD owns properties that are managed for a variety of uses, including wildlife habitat. Lands surrounding Big Bow Lake and Hideaway Lakes near the town of Rock Island were obtained as a mitigation requirement for the increased pool level of Rock Island Reservoir. These areas are managed for both wildlife habitat and public access. The lakes are great for fishing and bird watching.

CLOSED DEC. 1 - APR. 1

West of the city of Wenatchee lies an upland area, known as the Home Water Wildlife Preserve. This property was purchased by Chelan PUD as wildlife and habitat mitigation for the Rock Island project. The land is important for wintering mule deer and other wildlife. Chelan PUD is mandated by FERC to maintain this property as a Wildlife Preserve by the Rock Island Dam license. To be consistent with the license requirement, yet allow some recreational access, Chelan PUD has granted the city of Wenatchee a permit for a single recreational trail through this mitigation parcel. The trail passing through the wildlife preserve is administered by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT), which manages several trails in the foothills area. In coordination with the CDLT, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Chelan PUD, the trail is managed to allow seasonal recreational use.

The Wildlife Preserve and the Sage Hills Trail system are closed from December 1 to April 1 each year to allow wintering wildlife (particularly mule deer) a sanctuary during the winter months. Additional closures on the Home Water Wildlife Preserve apply to old trail segments that are being rehabilitated to prevent erosion, reduce noxious weeds, and improve habitat for wildlife. Please respect the trail closures to allow vegetation to re-establish. Your efforts will ensure the Home Water Wildlife Preserve remains open to the public.

Chelan PUD partners with other landowners, community groups, and agencies to enhance wildlife habitat. Projects include native vegetation plantings to enhance upland and riparian habitats. Chelan PUD has partnered with the Wenatchee Valley Sportsmens Association and the WDFW to install and maintain habitat plots, riparian and spring enhancements, upland bird guzzlers, and feeders within many of the Chelan Wildlife Management Units managed by WDFW. Exhibit S of the past Chelan Hydroelectric Project License required Chelan PUD to budget 65 man-days of labor for fish and wildlife enhancements within the Chelan Basin.

Chelan PUD has conducted or provided funding for projects such as prescribed burns, browse and forage inventories, brush thinning, native plantings, and feeder and guzzler maintenance for wildlife. In addition, construction and maintenance of the 25 Mile Creek spawning channel, plankton sampling, kokanee spawning surveys, and creel censuses were conducted along Lake Chelan and its major tributaries. In some areas along the reservoirs, guards are placed on important wildlife trees that are susceptible to damage from beaver.

Located within Wenatchee Confluence State Park, the Horan Nature Area is a man-made wetland that was constructed by Chelan PUD in the early 1990’s. The creation of the Nature Area added 97 acres of riparian and upland vegetation to the shores of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers. A series of canals were dredged inland and are fed by irrigation overflow. Canals, small islands, and adjacent upland meadows provide habitat for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.

The diversity of habitats within the Horan Nature Area offer excellent opportunities for feeding, nesting, and brooding for many animals. Mule deer can be found in the park during all seasons. Chelan PUD has constructed benches, viewpoints, and educational signs within the park. Chelan PUD works with the Washington State Parks Recreation Commission to maintain the park, control noxious weeds, and to protect and enhance the mosiac of habitats within the park. The wood duck nest boxes provided and maintained by Chelan PUD at the Nature Area are the most productive of all the nest boxes along Rock Island Reservoir.

Part of the original mitigation package for Rocky Reach Dam required Chelan PUD to provide the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with funds to purchase lands for wildlife conservation. As a result, the Swakane, Entiat, and Chelan Butte Wildlife Areas were created. Together, these wildlife areas provide approximately 27,400 acres of sage-steppe, upland forest, and grassland habitats for wildlife. The wildlife areas are managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and provide important big game winter range.

Wildlife habitat management projects are ongoing as a result of the Wildlife Management Plans required by the new licenses for both Rocky Reach and Lake Chelan. Chelan PUD funds these projects, which include habitat rehabilitation and noxious weed management. These projects were developed in collaboration with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental entities.

Noxious weeds threaten native plant populations, degrade quality of wildlife habitat, and reduce aesthetic quality of public and private lands. Invasive species such as purple loosestrife, Russian thistle, white-top, Canada thistle, camelthorn, yellow star-thistle, and knapweeds are managed by our programs.

Chelan PUD’s noxious weed control program uses a combination of chemical, biological, mechanical, and cultural methods. This effort complies with state and county noxious weed laws and ordinances. Management and control of noxious weeds increases aesthetic values and ensures functional fish and wildlife habitat for future generations.

Many species of rare and sensitive plants can be found in North Central Washington. Some of these plants are endemic, meaning they do not grow anywhere else in the world.

Chelan PUD monitors these species to determine their abundance and distribution along Lake Chelan, Rock Island, and Rocky Reach reservoirs. Plant inventories determine the type, abundance, and distribution of plants on Chelan PUD properties. The data collected from plant inventories helps resource managers make better decisions for managing the land.

Plants listed under the Endangered Species Act are surveyed several times each year by Chelan PUD biologists so that plant abundance can be monitored and populations can be protected. These surveys are conducted during the height of the reproductive phase of the plant, when they are most visible.

Ute ladies' tresses (a federally Threatened species) is an orchid found only in five locations in Washington State, four of which are located along Rocky Reach Reservoir. This orchid has many small spectacular white flowers that bloom in August.