Bateman Island is connected to the City of Richland by a short earthen causeway at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers. The presence of the causeway has altered flow and water quality conditions in the Delta and created a water temperature barrier that can delay adult salmon migration. Flow modeling indicates that salmonid migratory conditions in the Delta would improve with causeway breaching. The Mid-Columbia Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCRFEG) will breach the causeway to allow flow along the south side of the island while accommodating recreational and emergency access to the island.