Winchester Reservoir Wildlife Area Unit
The Columbia Basin Wildlife Area is located in Grant County and Adams County, and includes approximately 160,100 acres thoughout units spanning the "Big Bend" of the Columbia River. Although managed by WDFW, most of these lands are owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) or other federal and state agencies. Many of the wildlife area's units were acquired as mitigation for habitat inundation caused by Columbia River dams. These units provide habitat for numerous wetland dependent wildlife species, such as migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as upland game birds. Northern leopard frogs, sagebrush lizards, Columbia River tiger beetles, burrowing owls, golden eagles, loggerhead shrikes, sage sparrows, sage thrashers, western grebes, black-tailed jack rabbits, striped whipsnakes, and Washington ground squirrels can be found on most of the units. By actively managing lands, restoring habitats, and preserving wild places, the department serves as stewards for Washington's natural places, protecting the state's land and water for its human and wildlife populations.
Check out the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area story map to learn more about the opportunities and benefits WDFW land management facilitates for the public, wildlife, and habitats.
Wildlife area units
Management planning
2022 Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.
Planning Advisory Committee
Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Advisory Committee