Riverside Breaks Natural Area Preserve

Color photo of Riverside Breaks Natural Area Preserve (NAP)
Located above the Okanogan River on a terrace formed 12,000 years ago by receding glaciers, this 36 acre preserve contains examples of two rare native shrub-grassland ecosystems that were once much more extensive along the Okanogan River and northern Columbia River. The preserve also supports a population of Snake River cryptantha, a state-listed sensitive plant species found only in arid shrub-grassland habitats. The Lime Belt wildfire burned through the entire preserve in 2015, removing most of the shrub cover but leaving an intact native grassland.
The landscape is abloom with small flowers.

Features Protected: Antelope bitterbrush/bluebunch wheatgrass plant community, smooth sumac/ bluebunch wheatgrass plant community, and Snake River cryptantha
Ecoregion: Okanogan (Okanogan County)

Science, Research and Monitoring

Public and private universities, other research institutions and individual researchers may contact DNR to propose a research project at the site. If you are interested in pursuing research at Riverside Breaks NAP, contact David Wilderman, natural areas ecologist, at david.wilderman@dnr.wa.gov

Environmental Education and Public Access

Currently no formal educational programs are available at Riverside Breaks NAP. The site is not ADA accessible and facilities are not available. For more information, contact the DNR Northeast Region natural areas manager.