Spokane stretch of river runs dry again, sparking local concern over aquatic habitat

SPOKANE — For the second consecutive year a portion of the Spokane River has gone dry, leaving exposed riverbed and renewed concerns about the health of the waterway that threads through the region. The dry reach extends roughly 1.5 miles downstream from Barker Road in Spokane Valley, according to local environmental groups.

What’s happening and who’s involved

The dry stretch has drawn attention from Spokane Riverkeeper, an environmental nonprofit that monitors the river, and from local water scientists. Jule Schultz, the organization’s waterkeeper, described the event as a sign of broader environmental stress in the area.

“These issues are sort of the canary in the coal mine when it comes to our ecosystem and obviously the tragedy that we've had here in Spokane with fires. We're starting to see the effects of our climate changing,”

Joe Gilbert, an adjunct instructor in water science at Spokane Community College, said fluctuating flows are normal but that he has observed declines in recent years. He warned the loss of flow is damaging to aquatic habitats and local recreation.

Causes identified locally

Multiple factors are cited for the low flows. The Spokane Riverkeeper noted the section where the river is now dry is a place where water can be lost into the aquifer when levels drop. Hydropower management at the Post Falls Dam also has a significant effect on river levels.

Avista, which operates the Post Falls Dam, reduced the volume of water released from the facility this week. The company said the action is required by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules that mandate lower releases when water levels in Lake Coeur d'Alene fall beneath specified thresholds.

“The health of the river matters to us not only as a utility, but as members of this community,”

Avista’s Director of Environmental Affairs, Jillian Caires, said in a statement that company staff live in the area and want the river to remain healthy for future generations. The company also indicated flows from the dam are scheduled to increase on the first Tuesday after Labor Day.

Local impacts and concerns

Experts and river advocates say the immediate consequences include stress on fish and invertebrate populations, loss of habitat, and diminished recreational opportunities. Gilbert summarized the effect bluntly: “It’s a disaster for aquatic habitats -- invertebrates, fish, recreation.”

For residents who use the river for recreation or who value it as an urban natural area, the exposed bed is a visible reminder of changing conditions. Schultz emphasized the river’s role in community life and the emotional impact of seeing it diminished.

“This represents our community. This is a place to play, to recreate, to come down to, to hang out, to commune with nature,”

She added, “And it's not here anymore.”

How the situation fits into wider patterns

While seasonal flow variations are normal, officials and scientists are watching patterns in precipitation, reservoir levels and management decisions more closely as climate shifts and recent fire seasons alter regional hydrology. The interplay of reduced inflows to Lake Coeur d'Alene, regulatory constraints on dam releases and groundwater interactions at low river levels combine to create vulnerable stretches along the river.

• Loss to aquifer: Certain stretches of the Spokane River can lose water to the aquifer when levels drop.
• Dam operations: Releases from Post Falls Dam are adjusted under FERC rules tied to Lake Coeur d'Alene levels.
• Ecological effects: Dry stretches harm fish, invertebrates and recreation.

Residents and local groups will be watching the promised increase in releases after Labor Day, while advocates urge broader consideration of how to manage flows and protect river health under changing climate conditions. For now, the exposed riverbed stands as a tangible symptom of shifting hydrology in Spokane’s urban landscape.

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