The 34,920-acre Desert unit was wholly desert prior to the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. It is the lowest part of the very large Quincy Basin that once was filled with glacial floodwater. The natural basin now serves as a collector for irrigation water from upslope farmlands. Most of this water is collected in the Winchester and Frenchman Hills wasteways, which meander southeasterly across several miles of the Desert Unit and eventually empty into the southwestern part of Potholes Reservoir. The vegetation in this mosaic of wetlands and desert uplands is very diverse. In addition to naturally-occurring shrub steppe communities, many acres have been aerially seeded to non-native grasses. The wetlands and shallow ponds created by the high water table and wasteways were once occupied by native marsh vegetation, but non-native invaders like Russian olive and purple loosestrife are now taking over. While county roads provide access to much of the perimeter of this area, access to the interior is very limited. The area supports waterfowl, white pelicans, mule deer, and other wildlife. Many ponds have been isolated from the wasteways with low sand dikes to exclude carp and improve
waterfowl habitat.

Unmarked campsites in designated area.

Camping is free, but a permit is required to be on all Washington FWS land. Once purchased, it is good at all Washington WMAs.
Buy a Washington FWS vehicle use permit ($10.95).

Directions
23.7 mi S of Ephrata on Dodson Rd