Protect Washington’s Waters Coalition Nominates 4 New Rivers for Protection as State Outstanding Resource Waters

On February 24, 2026, the Protect Washington’s Waters Coalition submitted formal nominations to the Washington Department of Ecology for Outstanding Resource Water designations for four watersheds: the Upper Sultan Basin (Snohomish County), Ruby and Granite Creeks (Skagit and Whatcom Counties), Upper Lewis River (Skamania County), and the Methow Headwaters (Okanogan County).

Washington Wild is a founding member of the Protect Washington’s Waters coalition which also includes Pew Trusts, American Whitewater, Cascade Forest Conservancy and Methow Valley Citizens Council among others. Two years ago in December 2023, the Coalition was successful in supporting the designation of the first ever Outstanding Resource Waters in Washington State which included the Cascade River (Skagit County), the Napeequa River (Chelan County) and the Green River (Skamania County). That effort resulted in a coalition of more than 200 Tribes, local elected officials and local stakeholders throughout Washington State who supported ORW designations.

About the Nominated Rivers

Ruby Creek and Granite Creek

· Exemplary freshwater systems characterized by exceptional water quality, ecological richness, and cultural significance.

· Flow through largely protected landscapes and contribute significantly to the health and resilience of the broader Skagit River watershed.

· Designation would safeguard essential cold-water habitats, benefit threatened salmonids, and preserve natural, recreation, and cultural values in perpetuity.

Upper Sultan River

· Located above Spada Reservoir in the North Cascades of Washington State, the Upper Sultan River is an ecologically pristine, cold-water mountain river with exceptional conservation value.

· The high-quality water is a source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of residents of Snohomish County.

· Provides critical ecological services, including cold-water refuge for fish, clean municipal water supply, and high-value backcountry recreation.

Upper Lewis River

· The Upper Lewis River flows from its source in the Mount Adams Wilderness through stretches of old-growth forests, past massive rocky cliffs, and into Swift Reservoir.

· Popular recreation destination for its scenic beauty, fishing opportunities, hiking trails, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, and renowned waterfalls.

· Provides valuable habitat for coho, steelhead, and bull trout and has been identified by the EPA as one of twelve primary thermal refuges for the Columbia River.

Methow Headwaters

· The Methow Headwaters—comprising the Lost River, Early Winters Creek, an upper portion of the Methow River (commonly called West Fork Methow River), and the upper Chewuch River—are tributaries of the Methow River, flowing down the eastern slopes of the North Cascades.

· These streams drain alpine and subalpine landscapes rich in glacial features, mature conifer forests, and critical wildlife corridors. They serve as vital headwater systems supporting downstream water quality and flow regimes.

· These streams have pristine water quality, high biodiversity, and exceptional habitat for native fish, while also supporting recreational opportunities and serving as a source of drinking water and irrigation for the Methow Valley.

What are the Next Steps?

The Washington Department of Ecology has 60 days to review and confirm the eligibility of the submitted nominations.

If eligibility is confirmed, the agency will move forward with a several-month informal consultation period, including outreach to Tribes, local county and municipal governments, state and federal agencies, and key stakeholders on the nominated river basins.

Likely sometime in 2027, a formal 70-day public comment period will then follow, with all the trimmings including local public meetings near the nominated river reaches and an online portal to receive public comments from Tribes, stakeholders and individuals.

Ecology would then review all comments and make a determination to designate or not after what is likely to be about a two-year long process.

What are Outstanding Resource Waters?

Authorized under the federal Clean Water Act, the Outstanding Resource Water provides the strongest protection for rivers with exceptional environmental, ecological, and recreational significance, helping ensure the qualities that make them so valuable remain unchanged. Once a waterway is designated as an Outstanding Resource Water, existing activities can continue but new degradation of water quality is prohibited.

Washington’s rivers are critical to the health and abundance of fish and wildlife species and central to our quality of life, providing clean drinking water for communities and supporting local economies. According to the 2020 Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State, outdoor recreation supports $26.5 billion in annual expenditures that contribute to Washington’s economy. Washington’s pristine waters are a key component with 1 in 5 recreational user days in the state spent along waterways

Read the full nomination document here.