Habitat Management

Chelan PUD owns properties that are managed for a variety of uses, including wildlife habitat. Many areas are managed for both wildlife habitat and public access.

Home Water Wildlife Preserve

In the heart of the Sage Hills trail system West of Wenatchee lies a 960-acre upland area known as the Home Water Wildlife Preserve. This property was acquired by Chelan PUD as wildlife mitigation for Rock Island Dam, as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and is managed for wildlife habitat.  Chelan PUD coordinates with the City of Wenatchee, Chelan Douglas Land Trust (CDLT), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to coordinate seasonal area closures to protect wintering wildlife, particularly wintering deer. The Home Water Preserve is closed to all public access from December 1 to March 31 annually, with some discretion. The Sage Hills Trail, managed by the CDLT, passes though the Home Water Preserve. Click here to see other hiking trails in the Wenatchee Foothills

Wenatchee Confluence Horan Nature Area

The Horan orchard homestead area was acquired in the early 1990's as a recreational license requirement resulting from operation of Rock Island Dam.  Instead of developing the area into ball fields and tennis courts, a new idea was formed for the park—a natural area for wildlife and people to enjoy.  A technique called level ditching created a maze of channels and islands for wildlife.  Viewpoints, signs, and benches can be found along a gravel trail which connects to the Apple Capital Recreational Loop trail.

Wildlife Forums

Chelan PUD has a Wildlife Forum that facilitates wildlife license requirements for both Rocky Reach and Lake Chelan dams.  The Wildlife Forums generate required 5-year plans that are submitted for FERC approval.  Each of the 5-year plans contains specific objectives for improving wildlife habitat and wildlife monitoring.  See the Rocky Reach and Lake Chelan License implementation pages for more information.

Rare and sensitive plants

Chelan PUD monitors populations of rare, sensitive, threatened, and endangered plants to determine their abundance and distribution along reservoirs and other properties in accordance with license requirements.

Fast facts:

  • All of CDLT and PUD lands north of 5th Street are closed from December 1 to March 31 each year to allow wintering wildlife a sanctuary during the winter months.
  • One trail passing through the Home Water Preserve is permitted and is licensed to the City of Wenatchee.  The trail system is administered by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT), which also manages surrounding properties and additional trails in the Sage Hills.
  • The Horan Nature Area is celebrated as a birding hotspot and is used widely by educators in our region to teach aspects of biological and natural sciences.
Re-aligning and closing redundant trail sections in the Sage Hills helps to reduce habitat fragmentation, combat the spread of weeds, and reduce erosion. Post-construction seeding on the flanks of Burch Mountain in 2006. Today, this site supports abundant native vegetation. Where possible, Chelan PUD utilizes biological controls such as these flower weevils to reduce the density of invasive weeds. Pre- and post- construction vegetation monitoring helps Chelan PUD be a good steward of the land, returning it to native landscape following construction projects. Chelan PUD conducts botanical surveys to monitor sensitive habitats, including rare native orchids like these.