First step completed in process to protect three creeks at Skagit River headwaters

The state Department of Ecology announced May 1 that three North Cascades creeks and tributaries meet the eligibility criteria for receiving additional environmental protections.

The announcement is the first step in a long process that may provide additional protection to the creeks through the Outstanding Resource Waters designation.

Ruby, Granite and Canyon creeks and their tributaries are at high elevations in the North Cascades just east of Ross Lake.

The creeks were nominated in February to be considered Outstanding Resource Waters by organizations including American Whitewater, the Cascade Forest Conservancy, Pew, the Methow Valley Citizens Council, Trout Unlimited, Washington Wild, the Wild Salmon Center and American Rivers.

The group nominated several other waterways in the state, including the Upper Sultan River in Snohomish County, the Upper Lewis River in Skamania County and tributaries to the Methow River in Okanogan County.

Under the federal Clean Water Act, states can designate certain bodies of water as Outstanding Resource Waters, which gives them the highest level of water quality-based protections in their state.

The Outstanding Resource Waters designation protects pristine or unique bodies of water from degradation. The designation can minimize pollution discharge or ban nearby new discharges.

This is the second time in state history nominations have been made.

In 2023, the Cascade River was among the waterways that were designated as Outstanding Resource Waters.

The nominators selected Ruby, Granite and Canyon creeks due to their high water quality, recreational use and statewide significance.

The creeks host endangered bull trout, and Ruby and Granite creeks are used for whitewater rafting.

The state Department of Ecology will now schedule a review of the proposed designation, including public comment and consultation with tribes.

"Ecology will reach out to interested parties, including state and federal land managers, local elected officials, and nearby communities to talk about the nominations, any potential impacts, and get feedback before any waterbodies are proposed for formal comment," the department wrote in a May 1 news release.

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 7:06 AM.