Campfires are restricted year-round on the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
The Hope Valley Unit is split into two parcels by the Eltopia Branch Canal, and contains the Clark Pond parcel, which is mostly owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation but managed by WDFW for fish and wildlife conservation and hunting and fishing recreation. The parcel north and east of the canal is a mix of shrubsteppe habitat and cropland, and is a pheasant release site. The parcel west of the canal is a pheasant release site comprissed of dryland, having no irrigation allotment, but does have some sub-irrigation from the canal, supporting emergent vegetation and Russian olive trees. Another parcel is located within a sub-irrigated flat, providing good habitat for upland wildlife.
The Hope Valley Unit is located 4 miles west-northwest of Eltopia in Franklin County. The unit can be accessed from Hooper Road, off of Eltopia West Road, from Highway 395. Clark Pond can be accessed from Ironwood Road off of Glade Road from Highway I-182.
The Hope Valley Unit is located within the Upper Columbia-Priest Rapids watershed in the Columbia Plateau. Surrounding lands are a mix of privately-owned agriculture lands and Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lands.
This unit is part of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 379
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
- Boat launch at Clark Pond water access site
Recreation and access advisories
- Open during daylight hours only
- Visitors must register on site when arriving, and report their activity before leaving
- The terrain is harsh and rocky is some part of the unit
- Rattlesnakes are common; observe appropriate precautions (PDF)
Hunting
This unit offers opportunities to hunt deer, waterfowl, Eurasian collared dove, mourning dove, quail, pheasant, and small game.
This unit has a pheasant release site.
Hunting advisories
- On all WDFW designated pheasant release sites it is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading), other than nontoxic shot, when hunting for upland game birds (pheasant, quail, chukar, and gray partridge), mourning dove, and band-tailed pigeon (WAC 220-414-040).
Fishing
Clark Pond provides warmwater fishing opportunities. Check out the Clark Pond water access site, which has a boat launch.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes a mix of shrubsteppe habitat and agricultural land north and east of the Eltopian Branch Canal plus the Clark Pond, offering opportunities to view a variety of bird species.
The caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly may be seen in association with milkweed--a main food source.
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.
Conservation
The parcel north and east of the Eltopia Branch Canal is a mix of shrubsteppe habitat and cropland, and is a pheasant release site. The parcel west of the canal is dryland, having no irrigation allotment, but has some sub-irrigation from the canal, supporting emergent vegetation and Russian olive trees Grasses and shrubs were planted on another parcel shortly after it was purchased in 1992. That area provides good habitat for upland wildlife and non-game. The Clark Pond originated from a borrow pit.
Special habitats and species
Habitats on this unit are managed to foster upland bird nesting and wintering. Milkweed on this unit provides habitat for Monarch butterflies.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and restore shrubsteppe, upland and floodplain habitat
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species
- Maintain agriculture leases to benefit migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and Sandhill cranes
- Maintain and restore wetland habitat
Habitats on this unit are managed to foster upland bird nesting and wintering. Milkweed on this unit provides habitat for Monarch butterflies.
- Maintain and restore shrubsteppe, upland and floodplain habitat
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species
- Maintain agriculture leases to benefit migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and Sandhill cranes
- Maintain and restore wetland habitat
Land stewardship
The Hope Valley Unit was purchased for nesting and wintering habitat for upland birds and to provide hunting recreation access. The Clark Pond parcel is mostly owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, but managed for wildlife by WDFW.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1963 and 2020.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2020 Sunnyside-Snake River 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.
Planning Advisory Committee
Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Advisory Committee