About the Project

Beaver Creek feeds into the Wenatchee River, 46 miles upstream of the Wenatchee’s confluence with the Columbia River. The lower reaches of the creek meander through a flood plain with a healthy shrub-forest canopy, providing spawning habitat for spring Chinook and rearing habitat for multiple salmonids. The steeper upper reaches are ideal spawning and rearing habitat for bull trout and steelhead. Beaver Creek provides fish a cold-water refuge, averaging 3.7°C cooler than the Wenatchee River in August.

Several in-stream structures block full fish passage into this important habitat. Chelan County Natural Resources Department (CCNRD) removed two diversions with support from the Open River Fund.  One diversion was replaced with a fish passable system and the other with a groundwater pump. Three more barriers are being addressed in 2024, and one last barrier is being assessed. When all five barriers are removed or upgraded, fish will have access to the Creek’s full five-mile run.