Environmental advocates rally for change to river flow as Spokane River runs dry for second consecutive year

SPOKANE, Wash. — For the second year in a row, a stretch of the Spokane River has run completely dry, prompting environmental advocates to take action.

The Spokane Riverkeeper is hosting a rally today at the Barker Road Trailhead to raise awareness about what the organization describes as a growing crisis. The event, which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., features speakers discussing the river’s health, tours of the impacted areas, and discussions about why water flow matters to the region’s ecosystem.

The riverkeeper said last year’s dry river came as a shock, but this year the problem has intensified. The dry stretch occurred earlier than last year and covers an even larger area — almost two miles of riverbed downstream from Barker Road now sits exposed, according to the Katelynn Scott, Water Protector at the Spokane Riverkeeper.

“We do know that if we have more water coming out of Post Falls Dam that there will be water here,” said Scott. “We know that if more water is coming through that dam, even just 100 extra CFS, that we can have water in our river still.”

The dried-up section of river supports critical habitat for crayfish, trout, and other native fish species. The Riverkeeper warns that losing this water could have long-term impacts on the river’s ecosystem and the broader environmental health of the region.

Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho serves as the main water source for the Spokane River. The Post Falls Dam, operated by Avista, controls how much water flows from the lake into the river. Current flow regulations require the dam to release 500 per second during drought conditions to maintain water levels of Lake Coeur d’Alene. That threshold has been in effect 9 of the last 15 years, according to the riverkeeper.

The Riverkeeper argues that 500 CFS is no longer sufficient to sustain the river’s losing reach. While the exact cause of the recurring dry stretch remains unknown, the organization points to the current flow regime as a contributing factor that needs immediate attention.

The riverkeeper posted on social media: “We’re calling on Gov. Ferguson to lead and direct Washington agencies to work with Idaho and Tribes to change how flows are managed at Post Falls and pursue the FERC changes needed to protect the Spokane River.”

You can learn more about the rally through this link.