Pataha Creek originates on the northern western flanks of the Blue Mountains of SE Washington and terminates about 70 miles downstream in the Tucannon River. The drainage is about 118,000 acres yet the mean flow is less than 3 cfs which is a result of most of the drainage being in a very low rainfall zone. The creek was designated as a Minor Spawning Area (mSA) for steelhead from 2005 through 2010 but in 2011 the SRSRB Regional Technical Team redesignated the stream as having higher production potential changing it to a Major Spawning Areas for summer steelhead.

Pataha Creek has undergone habitat degradation from the removal of riparian trees, elevated water temperature, channel straightening, excess fine sediments and floodplain confinement. Limiting factors in are identified as reduced riparian function, fine sediment, limited pool habitat, low flows, and high summer temperature. The river is considered a restoration protection reach from its mouth upstream into the head waters over 60 miles in total.

Protection involves maintenance of existing condition, and the promotion of passive restoration to allow natural healing of habitat. Habitat actions implemented in this watershed include removal of imminent threats, riparian restoration and protection, upland restoration to prevent sedimentation. The RTT will continue to evaluate this watershed and consider the potential for in channel habitat restoration in the future.