Skagit River Swallows Up Family's Land
The day before, the big river was running a half-mile away.
The family says a federal law is preventing them from saving their land.
Paul Eldridge is scrambling to save what's left of his land and home. "Two weeks ago, this was all timber, all timber," he said as he pointed to his land.
But during the last storm, the Skagit River changed course directly toward his home, wiping out a forest of 70-foot tall trees that was the backyard.
"My kids used to play with the motorcycles and play around out there in the forest, there was no water," said Virginia Eldridge in disbelief.
The county's emergency management chief looked at the damage and couldn't believe it.
"I've worked for the county for 38 years and I think this is the worst case of erosion and river change that we've had," said Tom Shehan.
Everyday the Eldridges lose more land to the river. They lost 500 feet so far. But despite their dire predicament, they're powerless to fix a fixable problem.
The real trouble is a logjam a half-mile upstream that split the Skagit in two, literally overnight.
The logjam could be removed for a cost of a few thousand dollars. But that would be illegal because the Skagit is considered a wild and scenic river by the Federal Government, and with that, any obstruction that forms, man caused or not, can't be removed.
Paul Eldridge is particularly bothered by the fact he bought his property 35 years ago when the river was routinely cleared of logjams. As soon as it was declared wild and scenic and the river clearing stopped.
"We are so limited to what we can do to help protect ourselves," he complained.
With neighborly help, Paul put rocks into the riverbank, but he knows it will do little in the next big flood.
The frustrated emergency manager wants to clear the logjam and take the heat if the feds bring it on.
"Let the river go back to where it's supposed to be and maybe that person will surface, that 'they' person. 'Cause this is just almost insane to let the thing go the way it's going on," said Shehan.
Virginia Eldridge said her "nerves are absolutely fried" from watching their homestead wash away unless the real and legal logjam is cleared.
Family members say they have called their Congressmen, Senators, and even the President for help, but have not received any responses.