Indian Creek (Elwha River tributary)

History

Historically, Indian Creek supported runs of several anadromous salmon and trout species, including all five species of Pacific Salmon. However, with construction of the Elwha Dam in 1913, fish were blocked from accessing the Pacific Ocean.

While the Elwha Dam was in operation, Indian Creek sustained populations of kokanee sockeye salmon, which spawned in Lake Sutherland and migrated to Lake Aldwell to use as their ocean. It also contained stream resident coastal rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, and introduced eastern brook trout.

With the removal of the Elwha Dam in 2012, the native salmonids began a return to their anadromous lifestyle, with spawning activities of true anadromous Chinook salmon observed in late 2013.

Oil spill

| frame-coordinates = On July 18, 2025, a fuel tanker truck crash on U.S. Route 101 spilled approximately 3000 gal of gasoline and diesel fuels into the creek. The accident happened between highway mileposts 237 and 238 at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time and prompted a multi-agency response; the City of Port Angeles disabled Elwha River water intake, recommended conserving water resources, and issued a brief Do Not Drink order to tap water utility customers while testing was completed. Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson, U.S. Representative Emily Randall, Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller and other officials visited the site on July 20.

Thousands of fish are estimated to have been killed initially, including sculpin, lamprey, crawfish, coho, Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull and rainbow trout.

References

References

1. McHenry, Mike. "Indian Creek Habitat Restoration Project #16103.1". Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
2. "2.4.3 Indian Creek (WRIA # 18-0283)". [[Clallam County, Washington]].
3. Gussman, John. "Going Home". Return of the River.
4. "Petro Card Indian Creek Fuel Spill 2025". [[Washington State Department of Ecology]].
5. "Press Release: "Do Not Drink" Water Order Issued, City to Open Water Distribution Sites". [[Port Angeles, Washington.
6. (July 19, 2025). "Petro Card Indian Creek Fuel Spill 2025". [[Washington State Department of Ecology]].
7. (July 18, 2025). "Tanker crashes, spills fuel into Elwha tributary, fragile salmon habitat". [[The Seattle Times]].
8. (July 19, 2025). "Agencies respond to tanker truck spill into Indian Creek". [[Clallam County, Washington]].
9. (July 21, 2025). "Gov Ferguson tours site of fuel spill into Indian Creek". Lynnwood Times.
10. (July 23, 2025). "Experts assess damage from fuel tanker crash into WA salmon stream". [[The Seattle Times]].