Washington State Initiates Process to Protect 4 Rivers and Watersheds

Methow River. Photo by Thomas O’Keefe.

The Washington Department of Ecology kicked off its rulemaking process to determine whether four nominated waters should receive the highest level of water quality protection. The Protect Washington Waters Coalition, with leadership from Washington Wild, worked for two years on these nominations, reaching out to and collaborating with local Tribes and stakeholders. This decision came after the coalition nominated the four rivers in February 2026 and the agency confirmed their eligibility in April.

The Protect Washington’s Waters Coalition works to protect Washington’s rivers and creeks through the implementation of Outstanding Resource Waters designations, the highest level of water quality protection under the federal Clean Water Act. In 2023, the coalition successfully secured the designation of hundreds of miles of the Green, Cascade, and Napeequa river systems.

What is an Outstanding Resource Water?

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 a 2025 analysis, state residents and visitors spend $25.2 billion annually on outdoor recreation in Washington. The study also concluded that the industry is a leading employer in the state, supporting more than 237,000 jobs, 5.4% of employment statewide.

Each of the four nominations acknowledge that the high-water quality in these watersheds has been, in part, due to federal protections in the upper watershed that are currently under threat of repeal. An Outstanding Resource Water designation would help protect the investment in water quality in these nominated watersheds if the ongoing effort to repeal the federal 2001 National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Rule were to be successful.

What is Next?

Today’s announcement by Ecology formally begins a multi-year rulemaking process to consider formal designation of all four submitted nominations under the state regulations for Outstanding Resource Water designations. Over the next year, Ecology will consult with Tribes, state and federal agencies, local governments and other stakeholders to provide education about the process ahead and answer any questions about impacts and logistics of a potential designation. Next summer, the agency will open a formal public comment period including public meetings and opportunities to provide input through mail or digitally.

What Rivers Were Nominated? 

Below are highlights of the areas nominated for the Outstanding Resource Waters designation, each of which provides many benefits to Washington’s residents, wildlife, and economy and are of significance to the region’s Tribes.  

Ruby, Canyon, and Granite Creeks

Ruby Creek. Photo by Thomas O’Keefe.

Set in the North Cascades, Ruby, Canyon, and Granite Creeks are high-elevation tributaries of the Skagit River. These ecologically rich creeks slope through old-growth forests and steep canyons, supporting the region’s biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience and providing clear cold water to the Skagit River system—which provides one third of the freshwater input to the Puget Sound and is the most salmon-productive river in the region.

“We support protecting the Ruby, Canyon, and Granite Creek watersheds as an Outstanding Resource Water,” said Scott Schuyler, Policy Representative for Natural and Cultural Resources for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. “The mouth of Ruby Creek was the site of an ancestral fishing camp where our ancestors collected the salmon that sustained our people. Protecting this important place supports our tribal treaty rights and lifeways.”

Upper Lewis River

Lewis River Trail. Photo by Thomas O’Keefe.

The waters of the Upper Lewis River are relatively pristine, and the nominated portions of the river and its tributaries are located entirely within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Regional and local tourism outfitters, as well as small businesses in nearby towns such as Cougar and Trout Lake, benefit from its scenic nature and recreational offerings. Access to clear pools and riverbanks near waterfalls have made the river a favorite picnic and swimming spot in the summer, and is a popular destination for fishing, whitewater kayaking, and mountain biking. As a cold-water refuge, it also provides important coho, steelhead, and bull trout habitat that is essential to meeting national and statewide goals for fish recovery.  

Methow Headwaters

Lost River. Photo by Thomas O’Keefe.

Located almost entirely within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the nominated areas of the Methow River encompass the Lost River, Early Winters Creek, and upper segments of the West Fork Methow and Chewuch rivers. Known for its source of clean and cold water from Wilderness areas in areas in the North Cascades, the Methow River system provides habitat for native fish, serves as a source of drinking water for the community, and offers adventurers such recreational opportunities as fly fishing, backcountry skiing, and hiking. The region is one of the most intact watersheds in the North Cascades Range, and its historical isolation—with limited road crossings, no upstream development, and dense natural cover—contributes to its exceptional water quality.

“As a small business owner of a bike, ski and watersports shop located right in the Methow Valley, we take pride in the Methow River’s clean waters that attract visitors to enjoy our beautiful area and allow us to sustain a business we are passionate about,” said Julie Muyllaert, co-owner of Methow Cycle & Sport. “Protecting the Methow River headwaters, areas that have experienced limited development, allows people to experience the true beauty of the Valley, while offering all the thrill and joy that comes with outdoor adventures.”   

Upper Sultan River Basin

Sultan River. Photo by Thomas O’Keefe

The Upper Sultan River is located above Spada Reservoir in the Skykomish River Valley. This ecologically pristine cold-water mountain river provides high-quality drinking water for the City of Everett and more than 670,000 residents of Snohomish County while serving as a cold-water refuge for fish and wildlife that depend on undisturbed habitats. Like the other nominees, the Upper Sultan River supports recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and backpacking as well as tribal treaty rights and lifeways.  

“The Upper Sultan basin is less than 5 miles as the crow flies from the city of Gold Bar – it is one of our backyard landscapes that we cherish,” said Steven Yarbrough, Mayor of Gold Bar. “I support an outstanding resource water designation to ensure that the high water quality, incredible recreation opportunities and intact forests remain that way for future generations.”