Federal team arrives to begin storm damage repairs in Stehekin

Stehekin River along a portion of Corduroy Road. Photo courtesy: Joseph Kitchell.

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and a construction team are expected to arrive in Stehekin Thursday and within days begin reconstruction of a portion of Company Creek Road which was washed away by recent storms and high water runoff.

The Stehekin River changed course during a December storm and the river reportedly ran as high as 12,000 cubic feet per second this past weekend.

"I've looked at probably every possible option in this area to restore access," said North Cascades National Park Superintendent Danika Globokar during a virtual meeting held Wednesday afternoon. "We've consultant with numerous subject matter experts, like the smartest engineers and geomorphologists I've ever had the privilege to work with, the Army Corp and research staff."

"There's a desire from the private properties to have minimal to no impact on private property," Chelan County Natural Resources Director Mike Kaputa noted. "There are some conversations going on between the parties."

Stehekin residents prefer the road be restored in its original location preferably with a levee between the road and the river.

"That is very difficult, not only from a cost perspective but constructability, survivability of something in that area" said Globokar. "We don't want to be, and I'm sure folks here don't want us to be here next year trying to address this again, and again."

The new road will terminate at the west end of national park service land, at property owned by Joe Kitchell.

"This is not smart," Kitchell told Globokar during the Thursday discussion. "If you don't stop that (Stehekin River) water and you don't put it back in the river channel this (reconstructed Company Creek Road) will fail."

The Park Service Superintendent estimated that work could be completed on a new access road by early to mid April.

The U.S. Department of Interior has reportedly set aside up to $3 million to pay for the work.

Stehekin River runoff, March 24. Photo courtesy: Ally Robinson.