2020 Map of Priest Rapids NE

About this map

The Columbia River defines the southern boundary of this central Washington landscape, where the agricultural expansion of the Wahluke Slope meets protected conservation lands. Near the northern edge, the town of Mattawa serves as a hub for the surrounding orchards and vineyards, which are supported by an intricate network of irrigation infrastructure including the Saddle Mountain Wasteway and the Mattawa Drain. The map reveals a transition from the gridded farm plots of the Christensen Brothers Wahluke Strip to the preserved riverine environments of the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. Along the riverbanks, the Hanford Reach National Monument preserves a free-flowing stretch of water, featuring landmarks such as China Bar near the border of Grant and Benton Counties. This topography illustrates the 21st-century balance between intensive Columbia Basin irrigation projects and the preservation of the region's unique shrub-steppe ecosystem.