City of Walla Walla

The City of Walla Walla is developing its first-ever Watershed Resiliency Plan. The Mill Creek Watershed supplies 85 – 90% of the City’s water needs. This Resiliency Plan will help the City address potential risks to the municipal watershed, prepare for potential impacts of wildfire, and identify opportunities to improve the resiliency of the Mill Creek Watershed. This plan will be a valuable resource for the City and its partners, as it will create better protocols to respond to emergencies such as wildfires and help improve the resiliency of water storage and treatment facilities. Having the plan in place will also help the City be more competitive when applying for grants to support Mill Creek restoration and resilience efforts.

Residents of the Walla Walla Valley are welcome and encouraged to participate in the planning process. There are several ways to be involved: 

Attend a community event!

*NEW* The community is invited to the Watershed Resiliency Plan Workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. at the Walla Walla Public Library.

All ages are welcome at the workshop and encouraged to drop in at any time during the event. The workshop will feature family-friendly activities and interactive stations to learn about key Watershed Resiliency Plan content. Pizza, snacks, and beverages will be available for attendees.

The City encourages residents to read the information below for details about the Fall 2025 event. Sign up for email updates by contacting adoty@cascadiaconsulting.com

Provide input on the draft plan: Be on the lookout for a draft version of the plan in early Fall 2025. We will be seeking feedback on the plan, so stay tuned for your opportunity to share your thoughts. If you have any questions, please reach out to Adam Klein at aklein@wallawallawa.gov. 

Attend a Municipal Watershed Resiliency Working Group Meeting: This group is the main advisory body for the Resiliency plan, and community members are welcome to attend. If you are interested in attending any of these meetings, please contact adoty@cascadiaconsulting.com

The next workgroup meetings are scheduled for:  

• July 2025
• October 2025  

Resilience can mean many different things, but for this project, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines water resilience as the ability of water and wastewater systems to withstand and quickly recover from natural and human-made disasters. Enhancing resilience in our watershed helps ensure reliable access to clean water, protects ecosystems, and strengthens our community’s ability to adapt to future challenges (EPA). 

A resilient watershed and water system ensures reliable access to clean and sufficient water, protects against climate impacts, and helps maintain the City's water infrastructure. This plan will strengthen the City of Walla Walla’s water supply, supporting community needs now and in the future. 

 In addition, in case of a future emergency or disaster like wildfire or flood, the final Resiliency Plan will also include a Recovery section, which summarizes all available resources to support post-disaster recovery efforts. This can serve as a resource in case of an emergency.  

Primary Water Source – Mill Creek supplies 85-90% of Walla Walla’s drinking water. Water is piped 14.5 miles to the City’s Water Treatment Plant, where it is treated to meet state and federal standards before distribution. 

Water Quality Challenges – Mill Creek is listed as impaired due to insufficient stream flow and high water temperatures, which limit habitat for steelhead and bull trout. 

Flood Risk & Management – Historically, Mill Creek has caused severe flooding in Walla Walla. The Mill Creek Flood Control Project, including Bennington Lake and the downtown concrete channel, helps reduce flood risks, but concerns remain. 

Recreation & Community Benefit – Mill Creek and its surrounding trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing, improving residents’ quality of life and connection to nature. 

Fire Protection – Mill Creek holds a significant amount of water used to fight fires. Access to the creek is critical for maintaining an available water supply to respond to fire emergencies. 

For more information on the City of Walla Walla’s water system, visit wallawallawa.gov/government/public-works/water.  

Watershed Resilience Planning Timeline 

Be on the lookout for a draft version of the plan in early Fall 2025. We will be seeking feedback on the plan, so stay tuned for your opportunity to share your thoughts. If you have any questions, please reach out to aklein@wallawallawa.gov

The City is collaborating with key partners and hosting public meetings through the Municipal Watershed Resiliency Working Group. The goal of this group is to engage stakeholders, gather diverse input, and foster effective collaboration.

Participating entities include: 

• Blue Mountain Land Trust 
• City of Milton-Freewater 
• City of Walla Walla Fire Department 
• City of Walla Walla Planning 
• City of Walla Walla Public Works 
• Confluence West 
• Kooskooskie Commons  
• Landowners in the Mill Creek Watershed 
• Oregon Department of Forestry 
• Port of Walla Walla 
• The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 
• US Fish and Wildlife Service 
• US Forest Service 
• Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council 
• Walla Walla Basin Watershed Strategy (“Walla Walla 2050”), including Basin Advisory Committee members 
• Walla Walla County Conservation District 
• Walla Walla County Emergency Management 
• Walla Walla County Emergency Management 
• Walla Walla Fire District No. 4 
• Walla Walla Fire District No. 8 
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
• Washington Department of Natural Resources 
• Washington State Emergency Management Division