The Granite Falls Fish Ladder, a vital structure enabling Chinook salmon and steelhead to reach critical spawning habitats, is inoperable after a series of copper wire thefts caused over $250,000 in damage.
The fish ladder, owned by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), provides access to 57 miles of spawning and rearing habitat in the Upper South Fork Stillaguamish River. These fish stocks are essential to Puget Sound’s commercial and recreational fisheries.
The thefts began on October 7, when individuals broke into locked electrical boxes, damaged the power meter, utility pole, security boxes, and fuse panel, and stole several hundred feet of copper wire.
The damage disrupted the automated gate system installed in 2020 to prevent sediment buildup and keep the fishway functional.
Thieves returned on October 8 and again between October 12 and 14, further dismantling the site’s electrical components. Without the power to operate the gate, the fish ladder is completely inoperable, which has an incalculable impact on salmon and steelhead populations.
The Granite Falls Fish Ladder, originally constructed between 1954 and 1956, has faced challenges with sediment buildup in the past.
However, recent upgrades have made the system reliable, allowing fish to navigate through the 51 vertical slots and 300-foot tunnel.
WDFW Police are working with Crime Stoppers to identify those responsible. A monetary reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is urged to contact WDFW Police or Crime Stoppers.