|
 This
region hosts a diversity of broad life zones and
habitats from mountain peaks to desert. From the
west, the region originates in the high Cascade
mountains where more than 100 inches of rain fall
annually, supporting tall forests, alpine meadows
and glaciers. The "rain shadow" effect
created by the Cascades results in progressively
drier conditions eastward until the forests eventually
yield to arid shrubsteppe. Rainfall in portions
of the region can be as little as five inches
a year.
The Yakima River and the Hanford Reach of the
Columbia River are among the region's more striking
water resources. There are many other aquatic
habitats ranging from alpine lakes and streams
to warmwater lakes and ponds. White sturgeon,
summer steelhead, bright fall chinook, and walleye
are available in the Columbia River; bass, perch
and bluegill may be caught in many local ponds;
higher elevation streams host rainbow, cut-throat,
and brook trout. The region's lakes offer fair
to excellent rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing.
While the waters of the region are closed to fishing
for spring chinook and bull trout, the region
offers many outstanding vantages for viewing these
remarkable fish during their fall spawning seasons.
This region offers more than 400,000 acres of
department owned land, all of which is open for
public recreation. The department has also secured
hunter access to an additional 180,000 acres of
private land. These lands offer good to excellent
hunting prospects for upland birds, waterfowl,
and big game. |
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