We clean-up litter on foot and by boat along the Spokane River thanks to generous grants from the Washington Department of Ecology, Spokane County Correctional Facility, and the City of Spokane. If your group wants to join us, sign up on our River Clean Up page. We provide the bags, garbage pickers, and disposal, you provide the people power! It’s a fun way to enjoy and give back to the Spokane River.
We use the Clean Water Act to work towards a clean and healthy Spokane River. The Spokane River contains high levels of toxics, such as PCBs, which make our fish unsafe to eat. We advocate for reductions in PCBs and other pollutants. We review and comment on discharge permits, holding regulators and dischargers accountable for what they put in the river. This work is essential for restoring water quality that can support abundant native fish.
Hangman Creek (also known as Latah Creek) is one of the most polluted waterways in Washington State, with sediment, fertilizer, and high temperatures, clogging its waters and dumping pollution into the Spokane River. In addition, the Spokane River is listed as highly polluted for temperature and dissolved oxygen. We monitor water quality, water temperatures, and report pollution problems.
Over the last 130 years, there has been a steady decline in river flow, specifically in the spring and summer months. Higher temperatures are reducing the amount of snowpack in the mountains, leaving less water to contribute to spring and summer river flow. Basin-wide efforts to conserve and reduce consumption of water are crucial if we are to sustain the flowing waters of the Spokane River.
The Spokane River and its tributaries are prime spawning habitats for trout and salmon. Protecting, restoring, and maintaining suitable habitat for trout is the goal in saving our native Redband Trout. Our focus is on the protection of Spokane River and it's tributaries. We must restore, improve, and protect shoreline habitat (stream-side vegetation). Shoreline forestation and vegetation are essential in keeping the river clean, the water temperatures cool and decreases the effect of negative sediment loading.
Education and outreach
We educate people of all ages about the issues the Spokane River watershed faces. We’d love to come and speak to your group or class about the River! Contact us to schedule a time. Look for our booth at local river and environmental events and don’t miss our events, like the Wild and Scenic Film Festival held every Spring at the Garland Theater.