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Granite Falls fish ladder inoperable after copper theft
A fish ladder is now inoperable after copper thieves recently targeted it in Granite Falls.
GRANITE FALLS, Wash. - A vital lifeline for local salmon and steelhead populations, the Granite Falls Fish Ladder is out of service following a series of copper wire thefts that began in early October 2024.
The facility, which enables Chinook salmon and steelhead to access 57 miles of critical spawning habitat in the Upper South Fork Stillaguamish River, has been inoperable since the incidents, threatening both the ecosystem and the economy.
The ladder, originally built between 1954 and 1956, consists of 51 vertical slots guiding fish through a 300-foot tunnel. It underwent a significant upgrade in 2000 with the installation of an automated gate to manage sediment buildup, and another in 2020 following a failure in 2017. The gate has since been instrumental in keeping sediment out, ensuring uninterrupted operation—until the thefts occurred.
On October 7, thieves broke into the facility’s locked electrical boxes, stealing several hundred feet of thick-gauge copper wire and damaging critical components. The thieves returned the next day and again between October 12 and 14, causing further damage.
The theft disrupted the system controlling the automated gate, with repair costs estimated at over $250,000—not to mention the environmental toll.
The fish ladder is essential for the Chinook salmon and steelhead, species that are pivotal to the region’s ecological balance and economic health. The inoperability of the ladder jeopardizes efforts to sustain these fish runs, which support commercial and recreational fisheries and serve as key prey for endangered southern resident killer whales.
"It’s incalculable to the loss of the fish that we've had because the ladder is not working," said Jim Fuda with the Puget Sound Crime Stoppers.
The fish runs were just starting to recover before this setback.
Sergeant Wendy Willette with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife says they're investigating the thefts and have partnered with Crime Stoppers to offer a monetary reward for information leading to an arrest.
"These thieves don’t care about our ecosystem, and their actions are now hurting people's quality of life," Willette said.
Copper wire theft has emerged as a recurring problem, with similar incidents affecting essential services like internet and television. Despite the high resale value of the stolen wire, the cost of repairs often far exceeds its worth.
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The theft of copper wiring caused delays in getting some phone lines and internet back up and running, Comcast says.
"It’s catastrophic. These fish provide food sources for many animals, including the southern resident killer whales," Sergeant Willette said.
To mitigate further damage, crews are manually operating the tunnel, but the process is labor-intensive, impacting the entire WDFW department. Officials are also monitoring weather conditions to prevent sediment buildup, which could exacerbate the situation.
Adding to the challenge is the state’s budget crisis, leaving the future of the fish ladder’s restoration uncertain. If funding cannot be secured in time, the next salmon spawning season—and the delicate ecosystem dependent on it—could face dire consequences.
"I'm on the hunt for the people that are responsible," Willette said.
Crime Stoppers urges anyone with information about the theft to come forward, offering a reward for tips that lead to an arrest. You can submit an anonymous using the P3 Tips app, or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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