Bateman Island Paddle

We are doing something a little different for our first paddle this year. We are kicking-off the season in the Yakima Delta with a tour of the Bateman Island environs.
The island and its surrounding area were in the news a lot over the past couple of years with the lead up to and eventual removal of the causeway that connected the island to the mainland, and also the marina just downstream, both of which are pictured in the attached GoogleEarth aerial photo.

We will put in at the public launching site after a short orientation at 9:00 on Saturday, June 13.
Your host will give some background on the causeway removal and why it was done.
We will then tour the Delta to survey some of the early impacts.
This will include circumnavigating the island (about 2½ miles), which of course was not possible at this time last year, to see how currents have changed; paddling around the confluence area west of the island to take a look at early impacts – if any – on the mudflats (green “X” on the photo in the Discussion), and possibly paddling a little ways up the Yakima River to get a view of the active bald eagle nest (blue “X”).
Your host plans to beach on the northern tip of the island (red “X”) for a short snack and inspection of trails and conditions.

Suitable for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. A life preserver (PFD) is required. There is no charge for the event. Simple liquid refreshments will be provided by your host. There is no shuttle necessary as everything will be staged from Wye Park. Consider bringing binoculars to see those eagles and other birds better. Saturday is forecasted to be sunny and very warm, so prepare accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you!