Equipment thefts disrupt monitoring on rivers in 3 counties

DARRINGTON — Last week a rash of equipment thefts was discovered from stream monitoring sites in three counties.

The thieves targeted stream gauges in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. The devices are used to monitor stream flow, water temperature and sedimentation.

The gauges are in locked metal boxes often mounted on or under bridges on creeks and rivers, or sometimes on the banks. At all of the locations hit, the thieves broke the locks on the gauge housings and removed batteries, said Darrin Miller, the chief of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Northwest Field Office.

The thefts were discovered over the past week as one gauge after another went offline, starting at about 6:45 p.m. May 18, on the Sauk River near Darrington.

“What they’ve taken so far is all of our deep-cycle sealed batteries,” Miller said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The 12-volt batteries are used to power the stations out in the wilderness, and are recharged with solar panels.

More outages followed at 9 p.m. May 18 on Mill Creek near Lake Whatcom, 3 a.m. May 19 on the White Chuck River above Crystal Creek, 9:45 a.m. Saturday on the Cascade River near Marblemount, and at 8 p.m. Sunday on the Sauk River about halfway between Darrington and Concrete.

Miller said the gauges, which are used by local governments and utilities as well as anglers, kayakers and other back-country enthusiasts, should all be back online by the end of the day Thursday.

All of the housings had to have new locks installed, he said, and some of the other equipment was damaged.

When the thieves took out the battery at the Marblemount site, they short-circuited the data logger and radio that transmits to the satellite, Miller said.

“It fried out the whole system,” he said.

The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, which also operates stream gauges, was hit at two locations, said Scott Morris, the tribe’s water quality coordinator.

“The one thing that’s a big loss is we lost a data logger, which is a spendy piece of equipment, and totally useless to whoever took it,” Morris said.

The thieves took solar panels from the site along the White Chuck River, which also is used by the USGS.

The cost to the tribe is more than $10,000, not including labor, Morris said.

Another stream monitoring site operated by the tribe on the Suiattle River was hit back in January, Morris said.

Miller said the USGS received one tip so far from someone who saw a pair of suspicious people near the Darrington site shortly before it went offline. That tip has been passed along to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and the Bellingham Police Department are investigating the incidents that occurred in their jurisdictions, Miller said.

Miller said that anyone who sees anything out of the ordinary near one of the USGS stations should call 911 to report it.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction faces a lawsuit from a former employee alleging wrongful termination. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Ex-Washington state worker claims she was fired over school board vote on trans athletes

Darby Kaikkonen has sued the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Superintendent Chris Reykdal, alleging retaliation and wrongful termination.

Traffic moves north and south along I-5 through Everett on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County saw increase in traffic deaths in 2024

Even though fatalities fell statewide, 64 people died in Snohomish County traffic incidents in 2024, the most in nine years.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

A rainbow LGBTQ+ pride flag hanging from a flag pole outside of Lynnwood City Hall moves in the wind on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood to develop policy after pride flag controversy

Earlier this month, the city denied a group’s request to raise an LGBTQ+ pride flag at a public park, citing the lack of a clear policy.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington governor wants agencies to look for deeper cuts

The state’s financial turmoil hasn’t subsided. It may get worse when a new revenue forecast comes out this month.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.