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The Walla Walla Watershed is located in southeastern Washington in Walla Walla and Columbia counties and extends into Oregon. This drainage basin covers approximately 1760 square miles, two-thirds of which are within Washington State. The Walla Walla River starts in Oregon, flows north into Walla Walla County, and drains into the Columbia River. Major tributaries to the Walla Walla River include the Touchet River, Dry Creek, Pine Creek, and Mill Creek.
Land use in the Walla Walla basin is mainly rural with a few urban areas. The Walla Walla basin experiences warm summers, moderate winters and spectacular springs and falls. Average temperatures range from 26˚ F. in the winter to 90˚ F. in the summer. The average annual precipitation is 15 inches a year. The area has approximately 750 farms averaging 950 acres. Wheat is the predominant crop, but the area also grows alfalfa, peas, grapes, apples, asparagus, corn, barley, and sweet onions. Area farmers also raise cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. The major towns are Walla Walla and College Place, with a combined population of less than 40,000. Smaller communities in the basin include Dayton, Waitsburg, Touchet, and Prescott.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed and manages a flood control project on Mill Creek. Visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Flood Protection Project for more information.
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