Campfires are restricted year-round on the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
The Thompson Seeps Unit is comprised of a large coulee with excellent shrubsteppe habitat. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation owns the land and WDFW manages it for public fishing and hunting access. Irrigation wastewater from agricultural lands is carried through the canyon to the Columbia River, and the water forms a series of ponds in the canyon bottom on this unit.
The Thompson Seeps Unit is located 8 miles northwest of Basin City in Franklin County. The unit can be accessed from Mt. Vista Road off of Filbert Road.
The Thompson Seeps Unit is located within the Upper Columbia-Priest Rapids watershed in the Columbia Plateau. Surrounding lands are predominantly privately-owned agriculture.
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:
- No developed parking
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Beaver activity may impact vehicle access. Visitors should be prepared to walk in from Mt. Vista Road.
Hunting
Upland bird, small game, deer and waterfowl hunting occur on the unit.
Fishing
This unit is primarily a large canyon that carries irrigation wastewater from agricultural lands to the Columbia River. The water forms a series of ponds in the canyon bottom.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has excellent shrubsteppe habitat and irrigation-created ponds on the canyon bottom, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
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 unit is a large coulee with excellent shrubsteppe habitat. In the past, more irrigation water came through the unit, providing habitat for fish and waterfowl.
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
Land stewardship
The Thompson Seeps Unit is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and managed by WDFW for public fishing and hunting access.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 2003.
No specific funders assisted with purchasing these lands.
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