YAKIMA -- Work will start next year to remove sections of levees along Eschbach Park on the Naches River to increase the river's capacity to handle flooding and improve fish habitat.

The project by Yakima County will also reduce erosion of private property on the river's east bank. Flood damage in 1996 moved the river channel to the east, directing flows toward private property.

The work, using federal salmon recovery grants, is expected to result in the Naches River inundating part of the 50-acre park along South Naches Road during spring high water flows.

Yakima County ended Eschbach's life as a public recreation park this year and is turning the property into a nature preserve.

The property is open to the public now.

Trails and interpretive signs will be added. County commissioners said the county couldn't afford to continue operating Eschbach as a park.

Buildings and other park facilities have been removed in preparation for the levee work.

Don Gatchalian, assistant county public services director, told county commissioners last week the project will cost more than $430,000, including a $96,000 county match in the form of staff time.

County commissioners approved two agreements Tuesday to receive construction funding from the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Gatchalian said some design work still must be completed, including changes to the Yakima Valley Canal Co. diversion at the north end of the park property.

He said a smaller, new levee inland from the river will be erected along a portion of the canal to protect it from spring flooding.