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Pursuant to the Sierra Club-CELP settlement agreement with Avista Corp., channel restoration work will begin at the Upper Spokane Falls in August, 2011. CELP and Sierra Club have participated as design team members and will be on-site to assess results.

300 cfs

500 cfs (cubic feet per second) Which do you prefer?

Historic gouging of the river bed for mill races and sewer lines funnels the flow of water into trenches, leaving the face of the falls bone dry during summer months. A few well-placed weirs and grouted concrete (formed and colored to resemble basalt) will even out the flow and restore the falls to their true beauty. The City of Spokane's removal of the YMCA building will create new viewing sites that make this work all the more important.

The CELP-Sierra Club-Avista settlement resulted in a requirement that instream flows be maintained in the falls 24/7/365. Sierra Club and CELP will sponsor a tour of the falls to explain restoration activities on August 18 - call 509.209-2899 to sign up and join us!

These Falls, which have fallen further,

which sit dry and quiet as a graveyard now -

These Falls are that place where ghosts of salmon jump,

where ghosts of women mourn their children

who will never find their way back home. ...

~ Sherman Alexie,

excerpt from “The Place Where Ghosts of Salmon Jump”

Interpretive sign on the South Bank of Lower Spokane Falls, just steps from City Hall. The City should advocate for restoring the waterfalls. Spokane is unique in the United States as a major city that enjoys spectacular waterfalls within its downtown area.

North Channel with water. Note barriers in left lower corner of photo. Waterfalls advocates are concerned that by reducing flows, Avista will create a “rob Peter to pay Paul” problem: dewatering the signature views of the South Channel.

Restoring Spokane Falls

Old YMCA before demolition, to open Riverfront Park to Spokane Falls.

Demolition underway.

Testing flows: which flow do you prefer? (continued)

Join us August 18 - Tour and Waterfalls Update.
A special tour of Spokane Falls hosted by Rachael Osborn with guest speakers. Happy Hour at the waterfalls to follow.
Where: Spokane Falls
For more information: call 509.209-2899 rsvp@celp.org