The Upper Sultan River is located above Spada Reservoir in the North Cascades of Washington State. It is an ecologically pristine, cold-water mountain river with exceptional conservation value. Right now, that clean water is under threat.
More than 6,700,000 residents of Everett, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Monroe, and much of south Snohomish County get their drinking water from this river. A proposed repeal of national forest roadless area protections would open up the Upper Sultan’s headwaters to activities that put that water quality at risk.
Long-term conservation will protect these values and ensure continued high water quality from future threats and activities.
Join the many Washingtonians already working to protect this river.
Beyond drinking water, the river basin supports high-elevation aquatic habitats, mature coniferous forests, and subalpine meadows. Its cold, undisturbed stream network is exactly what native aquatic species and riparian wildlife need to thrive, and that kind of habitat is getting harder to find in the North Cascades.
“The Upper Sultan basin is less than 5 miles as the crow flies from the city of Gold Bar – it is one of our backyard landscapes that we cherish,” said Steven Yarbrough, Mayor of Gold Bar. “I support an outstanding resource water designation to ensure that the high water quality, incredible recreation opportunities and intact forests remain that way for future generations.”
For people, it’s a rare kind of escape. Hiking, camping, and climbing in the Upper Sultan basin puts you in a remote wilderness setting just a short drive from Seattle and Everett. Long-term conservation protects all of it: the water quality, the habitat, and the access.
This river’s headwaters are one policy decision away from losing federal protection.
Clean, flowing water is our culture. It’s our well-being. It’s our prosperity. Help us keep it that way.