Printed in The Othello Outlook on February 24, 2005

Written by Kathy Young

“History of the Refuge”

The history of the area that today comprises the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge must be discussed in parallel with the story of water in the Columbia Basin. Located in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, the Basin receives minimal precipitation. This scarcity of water has always influenced human activity, from restricting early settlements to prompting numerous irrigation projects. Even the establishment of the Refuge itself is intrinsically linked with the hydrology and water resources of the area.

Historically Crab Creek ran intermittently but it has always been a central hydrologic feature meandering through the length of the Refuge area. Native Americans used it as a corridor through the Channeled Scablands and out to the Columbia River. Two historic trails, White Bluffs and Cariboo, passed through the area; some sections are still visible today. Although Native Americans inhabited the area seasonally, the scarcity of water and game in the arid environment discouraged them from establishing permanent residence.

Early ranchers and farmers tried settling in the area with minimal success. During the 1860’s cattle were brought in but grazing proved unsustainable in the land and climate. In the late 1880’s the railway increased the inflow of homesteaders. In the semi-desert land most settlers attempted dryland farming but often left after a few unsuccessful years. Those who did stay started planning for and seeking aid through irrigation.

In the first part of the twentieth century farmers tried numerous irrigation projects. One attempt included constructing a wooden dam, the remnants of which still exist on the Refuge. After these early efforts failed, serious planning began for a large scale irrigation project in the Columbia Basin. Years of study and debate culminated when President Roosevelt approved funding for the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project initiating construction of Grand Coulee Dam in 1934. The first irrigation water started flowing to the Basin farmlands in 1951 and the Irrigation Project began to dramatically alter the hydrology of the area.

In conjunction with the construction of the Irrigation Project the federal government began acquiring land south of O’Sullivan Dam and around Crab Creek for the future Refuge in the early 1940’s. These areas were recognized as significant because the increased water level from the Irrigation Project created new wetland habitats. Following the format of other National Wildlife Refuges, the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge was established under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act “…for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.” On September 6^th 1944 it was established by Public Land Order 243 “…as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife…” The land, water and wildlife of the Refuge have been actively managed since 1955.

Today the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and specifically O’Sullivan Dam dramatically influence the hydrology of the Refuge. Prior to the construction of the Irrigation Project there were only a few shallow saline lakes and pastures on the lands now found within the Refuge. The raised water table from the Irrigation Project and the seeping water from under the earthen O’Sullivan Dam has created over 3,800 new acres of lakes and wetlands throughout the Refuge. Controlled water levels now cause Crab Creek to flow year round. The hydrology and water resource issues of the area have molded the Refuge into what it is today and inevitably will shape the future of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge as well.