News Release

Update: Sol Duc Recovery Will Resume As Soon As Conditions Allow

Date: June 17, 2025
Contact: Public Affairs Specialist

PORT ANGELES, Wash. - Last week, Olympic National Park teams versed in technical and swiftwater rescue worked to recover an 18-year-old man's body that was located below Sol Duc Falls on June 9. Recovery efforts included lowering multiple responders into the narrow canyon. Attempts to recover the submerged body were unsuccessful. Rangers faced high river flows in the 7-8' wide canyon due to recent warm temperatures and rapid snowmelt. The park’s priority is to safely complete this recovery as soon as conditions allow. Rangers will continue to monitor the target area, natural hazards, and changing conditions. Recovery operations will resume when it is safe to do so.

Olympic National Park would like to thank all who contributed to the initial response: Forks Ambulance, Forks Swiftwater, Olympic Ambulance, Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue (Clallam County Fire District 2), the Port Townsend and Sequim Police Departments, the Clallam County Sheriff's Office, and Kitsap Search Dogs.