Riffe Lake
Riffe Buffer Wildlife Area Unit
The Cowlitz Wildlife Area is located in Lewis County and is comprised of approximately 14,000 acres in eight units owned by Tacoma Power. This area is managed by WDFW as wildlife mitigation for the Mayfield and Mossyrock dams along the Cowlitz River. Main tributaries draining into the Cowlitz River on or near the wildlife area are the Cispus and Tilton rivers. Large-scale flooding occurs in the Randle Valley when rain on snow events couple with a high water table, which contributes greatly to the hydrology of the wetlands located on the wildlife area.
The majority of the land base can be classified into one of four habitats – emergent wetland, riparian/forested wetland, coniferous forest, and mixed deciduous forest. In addition, several forage pastures are maintained. Since the majority of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area exists between the barrier dam at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery and the base of the Cowlitz Falls Dam, the wildlife area provides no major benefits to anadromous fish. The exception is the Kiona and Spears units near Randle which have the potential to provide access to spawning and rearing habitat. A 50-300-foot buffer zone around Riffe and Mayfield Lakes is managed to protect bald eagle and osprey foraging habitat and emergent wetlands, and to protect it from illegal timber cutting by private landowners who wish to improve their views of the lakes. It is accessible only by boat, except at the Kosmos unit. Some camping is possible at the east end of Riffe Lake depending on the water level. Around Mayfield Lake, the buffer is interspersed with Tacoma Power recreational land. 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.
Wildlife area units
Management planning
2006 Cowlitz 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.