On December 10, 2025, a devastating flood altered the Stehekin River’s course, destroying a protective levee and redirecting the river channel through private property and over the former roadway. This change has left approximately a quarter of the community isolated, impacting critical access for families and schoolchildren, and posing ongoing risks to safety, infrastructure, and property. Stehekin Heritage calls for the Department of the Interior and Army Corps of Engineers to approve immediate action to restore safe access, protect residents, and prevent further harm.
The town of Stehekin has grown around the Stehekin River. The river has changed its course over the years, flooded periodically, and been contained from time to time with dikes and other remediation. The town’s very existence is now under threat.
Our analysis is that over the decades, migration of debris downriver – observed by state and county authorities but never addressed – created a channel ripe for this event.
The situation is now, as noted above, emergent. The river has a flow of about 1200 CFS at present. We anticipate at least 3000 CFS in spring runoff, around March 15. Unless immediate action is taken there is no question: the banks will give way and immense devastation will ensue.
Rivers change their course from year to year, cutting channels where they will. Our proposal is essentially to revert to a prior channel, with minimal if any effect downstream, protecting existing homes and allowing Stehekin to continue serving as one of the rarest and most beautiful places in the United States.
Our proposal is simple, but must be commenced immediately.
Stage One involves barging in earth-moving equipment and large rocks – “riprap” – from Chelan. A bar in the river will be shifted by local operators so as to reinforce the north and south banks, and create a more central channel. Riprap will dissipate the river’s energy and buttress the banks at important areas. This “Stage One” is intended to prevent even greater devastation that is otherwise certain to occur in the spring runoff.
Stage Two, which can take place in succeeding months, will involve reinforcement of banks in critical locations, with more riprap brought up from Chelan.
Our goal is preserve and protect the natural beauty of Stehekin while fostering the continuity of life for Stehekin’s residents and homeowners. We ask your help in coordinating any regulatory requirements from the various county, state and federal agencies having jurisdiction of the waterways, roads, fisheries and funding.
Immediate Action Required:
We hope the NPS will initiate immediate action, as it has the primary responsibility for maintaining Company Creek Road. We also hope that elected officials will support these efforts.
Time is short; the work ahead is formidable. Stehekin Heritage appreciates your support for emergency action in Stehekin.
1) Contact Representative Schrier and her aide, Ruby Gaston
2) Contact the Dept. of the Interior
Both need to hear your request for immediate assistance to begin emergency work in Stehekin.
Please write a letter and make a call.
Unsure what to write?
Here are some of the letters written by the Stehekin Community
