Update: As of March 21, 2026 we are experiencing another destructive flooding event and no emergency work has been done
January 14th, 2026
The Stehekin Heritage Organization appeals to the National Park Service (NPS) and elected officials to support immediate action to prevent future flood damage in the Stehekin Valley.
Immediate Action Required:
The Stehekin Community, the National Park Service, and the appropriate federal and state agencies have two months to complete emergency action to address the Stehekin River’s changing course, which is damaging private and federal property, Company Creek Road, and Stehekin’s ability to serve the visiting public during the upcoming visitor season.
Stehekin’s December flooding created an archipelago of isolated islands for residents on the Company Creek side of the river. Valley residents, including over half of Stehekin School’s children, the Stehekin postmaster, boat pilots, and NPS personnel, were unable to reach the rest of the valley due to large amounts of river water over the road in two places, at river levels far below flood stage. For two weeks before Christmas, the mid-Company Creek residents were effectively in “flood jail,” unable to reach the rest of the valley. They are currently isolated again, as the river came up to 3000 cfs, only 1/3 of flood stage, but enough to send large amounts of water over the road again. Helicopters delivered fuel and supplies to isolated residents. If emergency river work doesn’t happen within the next two months, these people will be isolated once again, this time for much longer, and the road will deteriorate further. Upper Company Creek residents have not had vehicle access to their property since December 10th and will not have it restored until the emergency work is done.
Emergency action must be taken during the limited time before melting snows guarantee the next high-water event.
The primary cause of the levee breach and the river’s changing course is a buildup of river rock that raises the riverbed near the Company Creek levee. This river rock needs to be removed, and the levee rebuilt. 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.
Finally, the Stehekin Community and the NPS have a legislative mandate to serve visitors to the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This mandate is threatened by December’s flood and the
Stehekin River’s shifting course. Time is short; the work ahead is formidable. Stehekin Heritage appreciates your support for emergency action in Stehekin.
Sincerely,
Ron Scutt
President
Stehekin Heritage
