Wapato Ponds 4 and 5 closed for improvements starting July 11 

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today a temporary closure to Ponds 4 and 5 water access area, located on the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area along the Yakima River near Wapato. The closure will take effect Tuesday, July 11.

Improvements to the site will include a new fishing platform, non-motorized boat ramp, vault toilet, and improved Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access to the floating platform and vault toilet.  

The Department anticipates the closure, which will be in effect until further notice, will likely last about four weeks.  

The Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area covers approximately 21,400 acres located in Franklin, Benton, and Yakima counties. The wildlife area is popular for wildlife recreation, especially fishing, hunting, and bird watching. More information is available on WDFW’s website. 

WDFW manages more than a million acres of land and hundreds of water access areas throughout the state. 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.