Updated: June 26, 2026 

The City of Walla Walla has finished its first Watershed Resiliency Plan. Public input on the plan is now complete. The City Council will hold a work session, followed by a regular meeting for consideration of adoption. Those meeting dates have not yet been set.

Read the Watershed Resiliency Plan - June 2026

    Purpose and Scope of the Watershed Resiliency Plan

    The primary source of drinking water for the City of Walla Walla comes from the Mill Creek Watershed in the form of an 1866 surface water right. Threats to the availability, quantity, and quality of water from Mill Creek include drought, wildfire, flooding, landslides, and weather volatility.

    The City secured a FEMA “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” grant to identify, analyze, and evaluate mitigation strategies for these threats. These strategies are spelled out in the Watershed Resiliency Plan.

    The Resiliency Plan is a guidance document for the City, providing recommended actions to prepare for and respond to risks affecting municipal property, infrastructure, and the municipal drinking water supply. The plan does not include an in-depth environmental analysis of actions but rather provides a comprehensive list of strategies to ensure resiliency and mitigate risks while also striving to minimize impact to the environment.

    The City was required to perform structured tasks outlined in the FEMA grant with the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan. Having completed the required tasks, this document serves as a roadmap for the work ahead, detailing the specific needs and partnerships that will drive future efforts to safeguard water quality and quantity.

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    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). 

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    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 Resiliency Plan also includes a Recovery section, which summarizes all available resources to support post-disaster recovery efforts.

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    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.  

    If you have any questions, please reach out to aklein@wallawallawa.gov

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    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