The Bridgeport Unit features basalt cliffs above Bridgeport, offering fabulous views of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers. Interior service roads can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Shrubsteppe is the most dominant habitat; additionally, this unit also has permanent lakes, seasonal ponds, seasonal/permanent streams, natural springs, wetlands, meadow steppe, grasslands, aspen groves, basalt cliffs, and stands of Ponderosa pine.
The Bridgeport Unit is located immediately south of the town of Bridgeport in Douglas County. The unit can be accessed from county roads Bridgeport Hill, North Oil, Division, and Road 26 NE, plus 16th Street in Bridgeport.
The Bridgeport Unit is in the Columbia Plateau. Surrounding land uses include wheat farming land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, fruit orchard, and cattle grazing in native shrubsteppe habitat.
This unit is part of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 260, 248
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking area
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- 20 acres adjacent to county road is closed to all public entry from Nov. 15 through March 31. Look for signs.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited other than in the parking areas.
- Open fires are not permitted at any time during the year.
- Camping is allowed at parking areas on Bridgeport Hill Road primarily during the deer-hunting season in mid-October.
- Ticks occur here--observe appropriate precautions.
- Rattlesnakes may be encountered anytime in spring and summer--observe appropriate precautions (PDF).
Hunting
This area is in the Foster Creek (#260) and the Big Bend (#248) Game Management Units. Mule deer hunting is popular, so expect crowded conditions during the modern firearm season, especially opening weekend. Upland game birds include gray partridge, California quail and limited numbers of pheasant and chukar.
Hunting advisories
- All lands in Washington State are CLOSED to the taking of sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse. Upland bird hunters are advised that these are protected species and can be found anywhere on the unit. Hunters should be alert to the presence of these birds on this area and be proficient at identifying them.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes shrubsteppe, lakes, seasonal ponds, riparian areas, wetlands, meadow steppe, grasslands, basalt cliffs, and Ponderosa pine stands. These offer opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including beaver, mule deer, chukar, prairie falcon, greater sage grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, loggerhead shrike, Brewer's and vesper sparrow, prairie falcon, short-eared owl, gray partridge, ring-necked pheasant, California quail, sage thrasher, and Neotropical birds.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Greater sage grouse (state-listed threatened species and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (state-listed endangered species) are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
Other recreational opportunities
The basalt cliffs above Bridgeport offer fabulous views of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers. Interior service roads can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Conservation
Although shrubsteppe is the most dominant habitat, here one can also find permanent lakes, seasonal ponds and wetlands, meadow steppe, grasslands, aspen groves, while basalt cliffs and stands of Ponderosa pine overlook the Columbia River and the town of Bridgeport. Year-round and seasonal streams include Middle Foster Creek and West Foster Creek. Beavers have created a series of ponds in West Foster Creek and Fye Draw and there are numerous natural springs.
Special habitats and species
Shrubsteppe habitat is critical to the recovery of sharp-tailed grouse, and greater sage grouse. Many other species use shrubsteppe habitat including sage thrasher, Brewer's sparrow, vesper sparrow, loggerhead shrike, short-eared owl, prairie falcon and white-tailed jackrabbit. Neotropical songbirds use the riparian areas, aspen groves, and Ponderosa pine stands. Mule deer can be found through the area.
Conservation goals
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species.
- Protect and restore native plant communities that support sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse, and other shrubsteppe obligates.
- Maintain and enhance mule deer habitat
Shrubsteppe habitat is critical to the recovery of sharp-tailed grouse, and greater sage grouse. Many other species use shrubsteppe habitat including sage thrasher, Brewer's sparrow, vesper sparrow, loggerhead shrike, short-eared owl, prairie falcon and white-tailed jackrabbit. Neotropical songbirds use the riparian areas, aspen groves, and Ponderosa pine stands. Mule deer can be found through the area.
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species.
- Protect and restore native plant communities that support sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse, and other shrubsteppe obligates.
- Maintain and enhance mule deer habitat
Land stewardship
The Bridgeport Unit, and other units of the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area, was acquire as a Bonneville Power Administration wildlife mitigation project to address the loss of shrubsteppe and riparian habitats resulting from the construction of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1991 and 2007.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
| U.S. Congress programs | Transfer of land |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS State Wildlife Grant Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Sagebrush Flat 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.