Landslide into lake sends flood to other side

A landslide into Lake Roosevelt southwest of the town of Kettle Falls cascaded several tons of sediment into the lake over the weekend, and the National Parks Service is urging caution in the area due to ongoing instability.

The slide cascaded several tons of sediment into the lake from the west, dislodging trees and causing shoreline damage up and downstream. Its sheer force caused waves to cross the river, including one washing over Highway 25.

Agencies reported no injuries and minimal facilities damage from the Sunday landslide. The Washington Department of Wildlife reported that a dock at Sherman Creek Hatchery and net pens holding triploid rainbow were dislodged and have since been recovered.

One visitor shared a dramatic story on social media: "We were down at Lake Roosevelt today having a beach fire when suddenly the water rapidly rose about a foot and a half and wiped our beach fire out and almost took the picnic table and us with it!"

The National Parks Service encouraged all boaters and visitors to use caution in the area, noting, "In the immediate vicinity of the landslide, the land is still moving and will continue to be unstable for the foreseeable future. Debris will also continue to wash downstream for several days."