Washington Wildlife Areas Sinlahekin Physical Geography

Contact Information: Dale Swedberg, Manager P.O. Box C Loomis, WA  98827 509-223-3358   Home Directions and Map Rules and Regulations Access Sites Physical Geography Sinlahekin Past and Present Photo Gallery Sinlahekin Wildlife Sinlahekin Landscape Historical Photographs Bird Checklist Mammal Checklist Reptile & Amphibian Checklist Fish Checklist Butterfly Checklist Current Sinlahekin Wildlife Links Vegetation Inventory of The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Comprehensive Vascular Plant List & Rare Plant Species Weed Inventory [PDF Format - 4 MB] A Vehicle Use Permit is REQUIRED on ALL WDFW Lands Purchase Vehicle Use Permit About Vehicle Use Permit

The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area (SWA), formed in 1938, has the distinction of being the oldest Wildlife Area in Washington State. Comprised of 13, 814 acres, It lies 15 miles west of the town of Tonasket and 3 miles south of the town of Loomis. The unit is primarily in the Sinlahekin Valley, a narrow, glaciated coulee running for 16 miles in a north-south direction. The valley’s gently rolling terrain varies in elevation from 1,300 feet at the north end to 1,800 feet at the south end. The steep, rocky hillsides on either side of Sinlahekin Valley abruptly ascend from the valley floor to more than 5,000 feet in elevation. Over 510 different vascular plant species exist on the SWA. This high number of plant species contributes to a diversity of plant communities, while rocks, cliffs, streams, lakes, and ponds contribute to form various habitats for birds, mammals, herptiles (reptiles and amphibians), fish and butterflies and many other invertebrates. Over 215 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, about 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 25 species of fish are confirmed or suspected of being present on the SWA during some part of their life cycle. Factors contributing to, and allowing for, this tremendous diversity include the elevation range; temperature range (-20°F to 110°F); precipitation range (12-20 inches annually); slope range (level ground to vertical rock cliffs); aspect (all slopes well represented); and water availability, covering two watersheds with two primary streams (Sinlahekin and Coulee creeks), nine lakes, ponds, and reservoirs (Doheny Lake, Schallow Pond, Sasse Pond, Zachman Pond, Fish Lake, Blue Lake, Forde Lake, Reflection Pond, and Conners Lake), as well as three potholes (Blue Lake Potholes #1, #2, and #3). The dominant habitat types found in the Sinlahekin include shrub-steppe (seven subtypes) characterized by Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Big Sage, Bitterbrush, and Serviceberry; wetland (five subtypes) characterized by Hawthorn, Water birch, Mountain Alder, grass/sedges, and shoreline; rocks and cliffs; dry site forest (two subtypes) characterized by Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Bluebunch Wheatgrass, and Serviceberry. Approximately 57.4% of the SWA is bounded by DNR property, 24.4% by private property, and the remaining 8.9% by the United States Forest Service. The habitat types and characteristics of these adjacent lands are much the same as those found on the SWA.