A BNSF Railway line follows most of the river except near the pass where the tracks use the Cascade Tunnel.

Powerlines run by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) follow the Tye River west of Tunnel Creek.

[6][7] The Tye River originates on the west side of the crest of the North Cascades on Cowboy Mountain at Stevens Pass.

[2][8] The Great Northern Railway built the train tracks today owned by BNSF.

The railroad tracks originally followed the Tye River to Stevens Pass, which it crossed via a number of switchbacks.

The upper Tye River flows through a steep, narrow, and densely forested valley.

There are many logs and other types of large woody debris in this part of the river, contributing to excellent salmon habitat.

The final mile of the Tye has a steeper gradient with cascades alternating with deep pools.

All anadrmous fish above Sunset Falls, which includes the entire Tye River basin, are present only as a result of a trap and haul operation initiated in 1958 by the Washington Department of Fisheries.

Between July and December fish are trapped below the falls, trucked above, and returned to the South Fork Skykomish.

The Martin Creek and Beckler Peak roads present the greatest hazard to streams.

Winter sanding of U.S. Highway 2 is a chronic contributor of fine sediment to the Tye River.