This species inhabits pools in small to moderately sized rocky mountain streams within moist, coniferous forests (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Green et al. 2014). It can also occasionally be found in mountain lakes and ponds, and sometimes on land along water courses (Jones and Corn 1989, Green et al. 2014). Individuals tend to use large stones for cover. This species appears to be nearly obligatory neotenic as adults, as few metamorphosed individuals have ever been found (Green et al. 2014). This species breeds by larval development, and lays its eggs in nest chambers under stones, cut-banks, or logs (Nussbaum et al. 1983).

This species occurs on the Olympic peninsula, in the Willapa Hills and the western slope of the Cascade Range south of Mt. Rainier in Washington, and then across the Columbia River into the northernmost Cascades and the northwest corner in the Coast Range of Oregon (Stebbins 1985, Bury et al. 2014, Green et al. 2014). Additional isolated subpopulations from along the White River, 30–50 km east of the Cascade Mountain crest in northern Oregon have been reported by Bury et al. (2014, 2015). It is absent from the Puget Sound lowlands, the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula and from the Willamette Valley lowlands and foothills in Oregon (Foster et al. 2015). This species occurs at elevations ranging from near sea level to approximately 975 m asl (Leonard et al. 1993), with the average elevation across the range bring 475 m asl, with higher-elevation sites tending to occur more in the Cascades provinces (Foster et al. 2015).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is known from numerous protected areas in Washington (NatureServe 2020). It is listed as Sensitive in Oregon.

In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).

Conservation Needed
This species would likely benefit from improved habitat protection at sites where it is known to occur.

Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats. Specifically, studies are needed to obtain information on its susceptibility to chytrid fungus.