Okanogan County Public Health District

 

County: Okanogan

Population: 2,484

Pop. Density: 1,354.81/sq mi

Area: 1.83 sq mi

Elevation: 840 ft

ZIP code: 98840

Area code: 509

 

Okanogan County Public Health

Okanogan County

Okanogan County Tourism

Okanogan County Commissioners

    

Community
Okanogan Country is bordered on the north by Canada, on the south and east by the Columbia River Basin and Lake Roosevelt, and on the west by the 10,000 foot peaks of the majestic North Cascade Mountains.

The County covers 5,281 square miles, making it the largest county in Washington. Only 30% of the land within the county is in private ownership due to the amount of state and federal land. The Colville Indian Reservation, located in the southeast corner of the county, occupies approximately 700.000 acres of Okanogan County and is an integral part of the heritage of the county.

Okanogan Country offers wide-open spaces teeming with wildlife, spectacular scenery and rural charm. It features a diverse blend of snow covered peaks, small towns, western history, art galleries and museums, live theatre, farmers markets and fresh from the field produce stands, music festivals, rodeos, country fairs and two famous dams. The area is dotted with hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams, and blessed by sunny days and clear, star-filled nights. Throughout Okanogan Country, whitewater rafting, boating, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, wilderness packing, hunting and more are available from spring through fall. Winter offers cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dogsledding. A colorful and bustling region, Okanogan Country has a rich economic base utilizing its vast natural resources including timber, mining, ranching, recreation, tourism, hydroelectricity and agriculture.

The county has a population of 38,400 people.  The population consists of 74% Caucasian, 15% Hispanic and 11% Native American. Okanogan, with a population of 2,415, is the second largest city in the county, and the county seat. Omak, the largest city in the county has a population of 4,495. Other cities within the county are: Brewster (2,055), Conconully (177), Coulee Dam (890), Elmer City (310), Nespelem (235), Oroville (1,615), Pateros (595), Riverside (305), Tonasket (1,025), Twisp (1,000), and Winthrop (375). The county has an unincorporated population of 21, 764, while the incorporated population is 15,136, with a density of 7 persons per square mile.

Facility
Okanogan County Public Health occupies the 2nd floor of the public services building located at 1234 South 2nd Avenue, Okanogan WA 98840, near the south bridge from Highway 97 to Okanogan.

Technology
Okanogan County Public Health maintains full IT services including internet access, statistical software packages, GPS and GIS capability.  To fulfill emergency response functions Okanogan County Public Health has Satellite phone services, satellite download services and interoperable radio service.

People
Okanogan County Public Health has a staff of 22-25 FTE, organized into Community Health, Environmental Health and Support Services divisions.  Environmental Health Services include food safety, onsite septic, land-use and water adequacy, solid waste, hazardous waste and vector control.   Community Health includes infectious disease control and epidemiology, immunizations, tobacco prevention, health education and outreach, and chronic disease prevention. Support services  functions include vital records (birth and death certificates), financial services, and records administration.

Contact Information
Paul Waterstrat DVM, Ph.D. Director
Okanogan County Public Health
PO Box 231
Okanogan, WA 98840
Phone: 509-422-7156
Fax: 509-422-7142
Email: pwaterstrat@co.okanogan.wa.us