North Central Washington Audubon Society is shining a light on the Horan Natural Area (HNA) in Wenatchee. Lying at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers, the HNA is the last undeveloped piece of the once much larger Wenatchee River delta. While much has changed there since the first pioneers arrived, it continues to support a substantial diversity of wildlife and passive recreational activities.
Most of the HNA is owned by the Chelan County Public Utilities District (PUD) which shares management responsibilities with Washington State Parks. The area has a 1-mile long dirt trail system which is open to pedestrian traffic only and is accessible from both the Confluence State Park area to the north and the Walla Walla Point Park area to the south.
In addition to the site’s important wildlife habitats, it is a birding hotspot in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird database and is a stop on the Great Washington State Birding Trail. The bird checklist for the Confluence State Park/Horan area contains 250 species.
Historic Use of the Horan Natural Area
Historically, the Horan area was home to p’squosa/Wenatchi/Wenatchapum Native Peoples. It was a well-known regional council grounds since time immemorial and was a gathering place for bands and Tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
About 1870, European settlers established a trading post at the site. In more recent times, the Horan supported a pear orchard and a golf driving range.
Water in the Horan
The Horan Natural Area occupies the upper elevations of the alluvial fan created by the Wenatchee River. Historically, surface water flows within the Horan included seasonal input from Number One Canyon Creek, stormwater drainage from the City of Wenatchee, and Pioneer Ditch excess. Storm-drain water and Pioneer Ditch flows no longer provide surface water. Seasonal flows in Number One Canyon Creek continue to provide water to the HNA today and occasionally, during extreme events, the Columbia River overflows onto it.
In 1990, the PUD constructed a series of connected, steep-sided ponds and wetlands on the site. Today, one pond has transformed into a cattail marsh that stores water only during high-flow periods. The other ponds rise and fall with groundwater levels and provide only stagnant water that is used by small numbers of a variety of waterfowl.
Envisioning the Future in the Horan
Over the last 150 years, a variety of human activities on the HNA have led to substantial habitat degradation and the encroachment of non-native plant species. This said, while it continues to support important wildlife habitat and compatible recreational activities, it would benefit greatly from investments to make the most of its potential going forward. In January 2019 NCWAS submitted to the PUD “The Horan Natural Area – a Vision for the Future” (click here to read it).
In 2020, we proposed, and the PUD accepted and funded, an “Early Action Project” to develop a plan for achieving our vision paper’s goals. As proposed, it was to study and develop a plan for:
- the introduction of water to create wetlands and connected ponds which are designed to support shorebirds and waterfowl;
- the reduction or elimination of weeds, establishment of native shrubs, grasses, forbs, and trees;
- include a presence and interpretation of Native American culture;
- increase educational opportunities centered around an environmental learning center.
As it turned out, we were kept in the dark as the plan was developed. Once it was completed and we had a chance to review it, we found that it contained an assumption that no additional water would be returned to the area. Without additional water, reestablishing ponds and wetlands on the site will be impossible and contrasts with one of our vision paper’s primary components.
Over the last 7 years we’ve had numerous discussions with the PUD and the City of Wenatchee trying to identify a source for the potential reintroduction of water to the HNA. Various possibilities were researched, but each had one or more issues that ruled it out. In early 2023 we reached out to the Wenatchee Reclamation District which confirmed that the idea of bringing irrigation water into Horan via Number One Canyon Creek might be a solution if several capacity and ownership issues were resolved.
When we brought this to the attention of the PUD, we received the following response:
“While additional water may provide an opportunity to serve beneficial ecosystem functions in the HNA, Chelan PUD seeks to ensure the HNA functions in a manner consistent with our region’s precipitation regime (snowmelt and periodic storm events followed by dry periods) to benefit naturally occurring flora and fauna for decades to come”.
So, it’s pretty clear – after years of work, we’ve now learned that the PUD, regarding the issue of new water inflows to the HNA, favors leaving things as they are.
Going Forward:
Our goals for the HNA are long-term – spanning 50 years. We are continuing to work with the PUD and City of Wenatchee to secure a future for the area that will make the most of the site’s values for wildlife while also benefitting the citizens of the Wenatchee Valley and the increasing number of visitors to our area. We’ll update this space as developments occur.
We would love to hear your thoughts about the Horan Natural Area. Please send your comments and suggestions to ncwaudubon@gmail.com.