Federal, state, and county engineers all agree: the Skykomish is changing course, and it's swallowing property and homes, one bite at a time.

They say they know how to stop it, but the recession is stronger than the river.

The banks have shifted and homeowners know they have months, not years, to get it fixed.

"The next flood may take it," said resident Don McDonald. "If it gets high enough, it will take it out. I'm sure it will."

McDonald says a log jam rerouted the river three years ago. His shed, which used to be out of sight from the property line, is now strapped to the bank, dangles over the river.

The last round of floods chewed up McDonald's backyard, and the trees where the grandkids used to play are now miles down stream.

Don McDonald's wife, Arlene McDonald, has been glued to the phone since November.

"I called state Legislature. I called congressmen," she said.

The McDonalds believe the repairs will cost more than $1 million. A federal watershed protection program will pay for 75 percent of it, but the homeowners need to come up with the rest before work can begin.

"The state says they have no money. The county says there is no money. Well, where is the money from the stimulus?" said Arlene McDonald.

KOMO News contacted state and county agencies. Some said they'd looked at the banks, and know work must start before the winter floods come.

But all the agencies said budgets were cut, and the money to save the 13 properties and six homes is just not there.

Don McDonald helped his neighbor move out when the water started running underneath her back porch.

Arlene McDonald wants to stay in her home, but knows that with each day, she's losing property and losing time.

"But no one is going to help us. It looks like we're dead in the water," she said.

State officials said homeowners on other rivers are in the same boat. Some have come up with the cash to make the repairs, but the McDonalds can't do that. The couple is on social security, and most of their neighbors live out of state. They're not likely to chip in.