Efforts to Protect Washington's Waters Advance
Outstanding Waters designations would safeguard pristine river systems and unique recreational opportunities, support local economies
Washington’s waterways are vital to the quality of life in the state, providing clean drinking water and recreational opportunities that support local economies, and sustaining the health of fish and other wildlife.
The Pew Charitable Trusts, in partnership with a coalition of local organizations, 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, but many rivers in the state that meet the criteria for Outstanding Resource Waters still need protection. Building on this success, Pew and our partners submitted nominations Feb. 24 to the Washington Department of Ecology to designate four more river systems: the Upper Lewis, Methow, Ruby and Granite Creeks, and Upper Sultan.
On April 24, the Department of Ecology determined that the nominated areas meet the eligibility requirements for Outstanding Resource Waters. As a next step, the department will schedule reviews of the nominated waters to determine whether they should be designated.
The Outstanding Resource Waters designation safeguards critical waterways from future threats, including pollution, development, and mining, and is available for waters that meet any of these criteria: “Relatively pristine condition or exceptional water quality, and occurs in parks or other protected areas; unique aquatic habitat types; high water quality and regionally unique recreational value; exceptional statewide ecological significance; or cold water thermal refuges.”
By protecting healthy rivers, the designation preserves sources of clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreational opportunities that are not only popular with Washingtonians but also are a major driver of the state’s economy. According to a 2025 analysis, state residents and visitors together 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.
Below are highlights of the four river systems that Pew and our partners 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.
The waters of the Upper Lewis River are relatively pristine, and the nominated portions of the river and its tributaries are located 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, depend on 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. 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.
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 pristine water, 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.
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—the most salmon-productive river in the Puget Sound region.
The Upper Sultan River is located above Spada Reservoir in the North Cascades. This ecologically pristine cold-water mountain river provides high-quality drinking water to more than 200,000 residents of Snohomish County and serves 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.
Looking Ahead
Now that the Department of Ecology has verified the nominees’ eligibility, the next step is a rulemaking process that involves analyzing the probable effects of a designation and soliciting input from local governments, Tribes, state agencies, and the public.
These nominations present an opportunity for Washington to not only protect more of its rivers and wetlands and the many benefits they provide, but also to reduce the need for costly future restoration. By designating these systems as Outstanding Resource Waters, the state can ensure that these economically, recreationally, and ecologically essential places are preserved for generations to come.
Brett Swift is a project director with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ U.S. conservation project.
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