Roaring Creek is a critical tributary to the Lower Entiat River which flows from headwaters in the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia River in Central Washington. Roaring Creek is currently one of the few productive tributaries of the Entiat River for Upper Columbia steelhead, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Entiat is also an important rearing tributary for spring Chinook, bull trout, lamprey, and cutthroat trout.

Serving the various water use needs of the area through irrigation diversions, Roaring Creek, has historically experienced restricted or eliminated flows from early summer through late fall. Irrigation was withdrawn at two diversions on Roaring Creek that have been in place nearly 100 years. During low flow periods the diversions created passage barriers, dewatered Roaring Creek, increasing water temperatures and restricting access from the Entiat river to headwater habitat critical for rearing.

Lead by Trout Unlimited, this project will implement a suite of solutions that work in concert to provide benefits to both agricultural producers and habitat. Irrigation efficiency and reliability will be achieved for farmlands through site-specific infrastructure modernization, while ensuring continued access to needed water supplies. The elimination of the irrigation diversions—the only two artificial fish passage barriers on Roaring Creek—will improve access to eight miles of high quality resting and rearing habitat above the diversions. As a result of the project, flows in Roaring Creek are expected to double in late season, reducing water temperatures and improving habitat conditions in Roaring Creek.