Cultural Resources: Preservation and Protection

When the gates of Grand Coulee Dam closed in 1942, the waters behind the dam rose up to four hundred feet. As the waters rose, portions of the heritage and culture of native peoples were entombed. Burial sites, gathering places, utensils and tools to support daily life, structures, and pictographs are examples of a way of being and heritage which now lay beneath the waters and sands of what is now called Lake Roosevelt. Indeed, the geologic and cultural history of the area is one of the richest in the United States.


Protecting and respecting cultural resources and archaeological sites in our area is vitally important. Says Bryan Flett, a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, “The issue goes far beyond the boundaries of our reservation. Spokane and Colville Confederated Tribal members hunted, fished and gathered throughout the Lake Roosevelt area and beyond. Agricultural and other upland areas are also affected.”


An archaeological resource is any material remains of past human life, activities and occupation. Both the Colville and Spokane tribes have cultural resource departments that manage these resources.

Cultural Resources and Lake Roosevelt

Around Lake Roosevelt, there are more than four hundred documented ethnographic sites. One of the most important cultural resource areas is in and around Kettle Falls (see photo). This area was submerged when Lake Roosevelt was created. For centuries, tribes used this area for fishing, trading, habitation and sacred ceremonies.

Historically, habitation and fishing sites often clustered along the lower terraces of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers. Burial and sacred sites were often located on the higher benches. Lake levels generally protect submerged archaeological resources on the lower terraces. Burial, sacred and other sensitive sites, however, can be exposed when the lake is drawn down. Even when the lake is at full pool during the summer, erosion and other factors may expose artifacts that may be just below the feet of visitors.

Excavated archeological sites range from pictographs and petroglyphs to habitation and fishing sites. Evidences of human occupation include such things as cobble tools or modified core tools. Through these sites, much is known about the human occupation in this area that dates back over nine thousand years. BACK TO TOP

Help Protect Our Cultural Resources

Do NOT dig in the area, even with beach toys.

Do NOT remove or disturb anything. If you do accidentally move something, please put it back exactly where you found it.

If you knowingly approach an archaeological site, stop for a moment to think about how you can minimize the impact of your visit. Stand a safe distance from any exposed edges, soils or rock features, thus assuring you are not unknowingly disturbing artifacts.

If you are visiting a petroglyph and pictograph site, take pictures with your camera only. Avoid touching, rubbing, tracing or chalking the surface. Such actions alter the surface of the image far more than you might imagine. BACK TO TOP

It’s The Law

Federal, state and tribal laws protect these resources. In fact, stealing artifacts is a felony that could result in imprisonment.

Enforcement officers from the National Park Service and both tribes patrol the area by boat, vehicles and foot. They work closely together to provide maximum coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can help the peoples of the area and officers by reporting possible violations. To do this, call either 911; the National Park Service at (509) 633-9441; Spokane Indian Tribal Park Rangers at (509) 258-7750; or the Colville Tribal Police at (800) 551-5800.

For More Information

Both the Colville Confederated Tribes and the Spokane Tribe of Indians have very strong cultural resource programs. To learn more about preservation and protection of cultural resources in the Lake Roosevelt area, contact Cultural Resource department at either the Spokane Tribe of Indians or the Colville Confederated Tribe. BACK TO TOP