Last refreshed: October 23, 2026 (Pacific).
October 2026 update: This April 2026 closure is no longer in effect. As of October 23, 2026, Mason County Public Works reports no road closures in the county. The Dips floods in most heavy-rain winters, so check the county’s road closure page (linked below) for current status before traveling.
In April 2026, Skokomish Valley Road was closed to all through traffic. Mason County Public Works shut down the road at approximately milepost 3.749 — the intersection with Eells Hill Road, in the area known locally as the Dips — due to active flooding. The closure was in effect until further notice at the time.
Residents in the Skokomish Valley, agricultural operations along the valley floor, and anyone who uses Skokomish Valley Road as a through route to or from U.S. Highway 101 were advised to plan alternate routes. Mason County Public Works monitored the road and the Skokomish River throughout the day.
Why the Dips Flood
The section of Skokomish Valley Road near Eells Hill Road sits at low elevation in the Skokomish River floodplain. The Skokomish River is one of the more flood-prone rivers in western Washington — its drainage basin covers a large portion of the Olympics, and during periods of heavy or sustained rainfall, the river can rise rapidly. At moderate flood stage (around 17.5 feet), the Skokomish Valley Road begins to take water, along with Bourgault Road West, Purdy Cutoff Road, and portions of Highway 106.
This is not an unusual occurrence. The Dips has flooded during high rain events regularly over the years, and Mason County Public Works has an established protocol: monitor conditions, close the road when flooding at the closure point is confirmed, and reopen once waters recede and the road surface is safe for travel.
Risk at the Time: Heavy Rainfall and Debris Flow
In addition to roadway flooding, Mason County Public Works issued a broader advisory: ongoing heavy rainfall was raising the risk of rapid river rises and debris flows in steep or saturated areas throughout the Skokomish Valley. Residents in low-lying locations, along the river, or near hillside slopes should stay alert to changing conditions.
Debris flows — a mix of water, soil, rocks, and vegetation that can move down slopes rapidly — are a secondary hazard when soil saturation reaches critical levels after extended rain. This risk is concentrated in steep terrain adjacent to the valley floor and along drainages feeding into the Skokomish River system.
What to Do During a Closure
For travel: Plan alternate routes. Highway 106 along Hood Canal and U.S. 101 through Shelton provide access to North Mason communities via routes that avoid the Skokomish Valley floor.
For residents along the Skokomish River or in known low-lying areas: Monitor the Mason County Public Works road closure page at masoncountywa.gov for current status. The USGS stream gauge data for the Skokomish River near Potlatch is publicly accessible and updates in real time — useful for tracking whether river levels are rising or falling.
For emergency information, Mason County Emergency Management coordinates through the county’s official channels. MasonWebTV.com regularly posts updated road closure notices for the Skokomish Valley area.
Related: Infrastructure and services beat roundup — April 9, 2026 (the original roundup is no longer live).
Related: SR-3 Belfair Bypass Gets $48.3M & Mason County News
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Skokomish Valley Road closed?
The April 2026 closure was at approximately milepost 3.749, at the intersection of Skokomish Valley Road and Eells Hill Road — the area known as the Dips. That point was closed to all through traffic until further notice per Mason County Public Works at the time.
What is causing the Skokomish Valley Road flooding?
Heavy rainfall was raising the Skokomish River and saturating the valley floor. The Dips area sits in the river’s floodplain at low elevation. At moderate flood stage on the Skokomish River, this section of road typically takes water. Mason County Public Works was monitoring conditions, and the closure remained in effect until flooding receded and road conditions were safe.
What alternate routes can I use to get through the Skokomish Valley?
Highway 106 along the south shore of Hood Canal provides an alternate east-west route through North Mason communities. U.S. Highway 101 north and south of Shelton connects to the Highway 106 corridor. Avoid using Skokomish Valley Road through the Dips area until Mason County Public Works confirms the road has reopened.
How do I check if Skokomish Valley Road has reopened?
Check the Mason County Public Works road closure page directly at masoncountywa.gov/departments/public_works/road_closures.php. MasonWebTV.com also posts road closure updates for the Skokomish Valley area. These are the most reliable real-time sources for closure status.
Is there a flood risk to homes in the Skokomish Valley?
Mason County Public Works issued an advisory noting that ongoing heavy rainfall was increasing the risk of rapid river rises and debris flows in steep or saturated areas. Residents in low-lying locations, along the river, or near hillside slopes should monitor conditions closely. FEMA has previously conducted acquisition and elevation projects in the Skokomish Valley specifically because of the area’s chronic flood risk. If you are in a known flood zone, review your emergency preparedness plans and monitor official advisories.
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