Even though glines canyon dam was privately owned, it was now surrounded by public land. Elwha river response to dam removals through four years and a. After two decades of planning, the largest dam removal in u. Elwha river restoration project bull trout protection and restoration plan patrick crain and sam brenkman 122010 this document outlines a strategy to protect bull trout during the removal of the two elwha river dams, a project scheduled to begin in september, 2011. Elwha dam removal hostage to water plant repairs the. Encouraging news for the elwha restoration project the. Elwha river still changing five years after worlds largest dam removal project.
The dam removal debate on the elwha river teachers. For decades, both the elwha and glines canyon dams. In washington state, the spirit of the elwha river flows. Restoration of the elwha river by dam removal, washington amnh. Time lapse of the removal of the elwha dam removal between september 2011 and 15 july 2012. The elwha ecosystem restoration project is a 21stcentury project of the u.
With three quarters of the elwha watershed permanently protected in olympic national park, it offered a. Lessons learned, channel response, and sediment effects from the worlds largest engineered dam removal andy ritchie nps elwha restoration project hydrologist. Amy east usgs research geologist, santa cruz talk ringer. How the elwha dam removals changed the rivers mouth uw news.
Dams are built because they provide numerous benefits to society, including flood control, navigation, irrigation and drinking water, hydropower, and recreation. Timeline of the elwha through 1940 olympic national park u. Timeline of the elwha through 1940 olympic national park. The removal process itself began with the first blast to the elwha dam in september 2011 and ended when the last of glines canyon dam was gone three years later. After decades of work, sparked by a challenge to the relicensing of a hydropower dam within a national park, a coalition including the lower elwha klallam tribe, american rivers and other partners finally succeeded in authorizing dam removal and securing federal funding for the elwha river restoration project in 1992. September 5, 2018 starting in 2011, the national park service removed two obsolete dams from the elwha. Jul 16, 20 time lapse of the removal of the elwha dam removal between september 2011 and 15 july 2012. Return of the river is the documentary film that lives up to the grandeur of the elwha. Five years later, the elwha reborn american rivers. The camera soars over mountain headwaters, dives into schools of salmon, and captures turbines grinding to a halt. Recovery of elwha river salmon and trout after dam removal. Together, these projects amount to the largest dam removal effort in u.
Also check out the awesome videos of the project put together by olympic national park. Nestled in the crook of what is now port angeles harbor, the village of tsewhitzen pronounced chwheetson flourished for over 2,700 years. Saving salmon by demolishing dams on the elwha river my. The elwha dam disrupted the upstream migration of a legendary population of chinook salmon, along with five other salmon species.
Doi, nps, 1995 suggested the removal of both the elwha and glines canyon dams to restore salmon and steelhead. The film features people and perspectives on all sides of the elwha debate, reflecting the many voices of the elwha valley. Return of the river a documentary film about the elwha. Elwha klallam historical timeline lower elwha klallam tribe. This fall i hiked up to the elwha dam and took pictures of the decommissioning of the dam. Ferc releases draft environmental impact statement concluding that 1 dam removal is feasible, 2 only dam removal will result in the full restoration of the elwha river ecosystem and anadromous fish, and 3 the cost of power produced by the dam retention.
Dec 20, 2011 this fall i hiked up to the elwha dam and took pictures of the decommissioning of the dam. An overview and animations of proposed removal plans for both elwha dam and glines canyon dam can be found here. As part of the elwha river watershed restoration, the two dams on the river are in the process of. In an effort to restore large woody debris pre dam removal, engineers and biologists have.
Its just one of the changes to the elwha river system that the lower elwha. After years of planning for the largest project of its kind, the department of the interior will begin removal of two dams on the elwha river, washington, in september 2011. On the elwha, a new life when the dam breaks travel. June 2, 2016 conservationists can now point to the largest dam removal project in the u. In a single century, the salmon population of washington states elwha river shrunk by more than 99 percent. Elwha dam would be removed by blasting, and glines canyon dam by a combination of blasting and diamond wire saw cutting. Problem the elwha river restoration project is the largest single restoration action planned for the puget sound region in the foreseeable future and is a high priority for the puget sound partnership. Elwha river revegetation project managing primary succession. The value of dam removal on the elwha river jessica billings michigan technological university background the elwha river is located in northwestern washington, mostly within the olympic national park. National park service to remove two dams on the elwha river on the olympic peninsula in washington state, and restore the river to a natural state. Recolonization and the awakening of dormant life history diversity joining a collaborative team of scientists, researchers are investigating a wide range of ecosystems and salmonid populations in the newly reopened elwha river system, documenting the before needed to understand. The largest dam demolition in the nations history will begin saturday when an excavator claws away at the concrete supports for washingtons 108foot elwha river dam, a ceremonial act of.
Elwha river revegetation project managing primary succession in a dewatered reservoir after dam removal on the elwha river joshua chenoweth may 10, 2017. Largescale dam removal on the elwha river, washington, usa. The removal of the first of the two dams, the elwha dam, began in september 2011 and was completed ahead of schedule in march 2012. River restoration projects fall into two major categories. The elwha klallams and villages are named in the treaty and it constitutes federal recognition of the tribe. In the time since the dams removal, scientists from university of washingtonbased washington sea grant, the u. Elwha dam was built only five miles from the rivers mouth, leaving very little habitat for salmon to spawn. Diagram and photographs showing the elwha dam, w ashington, completed in 19. On the lower snake river in eastern washington, consideration was given to breaching four corps dams. The archeological investigation that began in 2004 at c. Timeline of the elwha 1940 to 1992 olympic national park.
Lake aldwell 2009 lake mills 2009 elwha dam glines canyon dam. Background material on the dam removal can be found on the the next. Glines canyon dam removal timelapse, elwha river youtube. Dam removals on the elwha river northwest fisheries science. At elwha river, forests, fish and flowers where there were. Historically, it was home to all the anadromous salmonids native to the area, including several varieties that are now at a high risk of extinction. For millennia, the elwha river ran wild, connecting mountains and. Of course, there can be very significant disincentives to dam decommissioning, primarily related to losses which would be incurred by. The elwha dam was a 108ft 33 m high dam located in the united states, in the state of washington, on the elwha river approximately 4.
Two dams built on the elwha river in the early 1900s created two reservoirs in northwestern. Sep 20, 20 the removal of a dam in washington state may restore the spirit of the elwha river. On the elwha, a new life when the dam breaks a huge dam removal project will reveal sacred native american lands that have been flooded for a century two antique dams on washington states elwha. Different removal strategies will be used for each dam as they are removed simultaneously. Upstream, the glines canyon dam also was being removed. Baseline studies in the elwha river ecosystem prior to dam removal. Removing the elwha and glines canyon dams will free the elwha river after nearly 100 years.
Imagery courtesy of the national park service, and available a. Undamming the elwha follows the journey of the elwha river from the day it was dammed to the day it was set free once again. Tearing down the elwha river dam the worlds biggest dam removal will return washingtons elwha river to its freeflowing state. The case of the elwha river dam removal and ecosystem restoration on the olympic peninsula in washington state presents an opportunity to demonstrate the progress made in consultation practices and comanagement efforts on the behalf of the u. The klallam and other tribes inhabit a great deal of the northern olympic coast and the mouth of the elwha river, fishing, hunting, clamming and harvesting the lands.
These parts may be used individually or together, depending on the needs of your class. The elwha dam, with lake aldwell behind it, is seen in december 2008. The eis concludes that both dams need to be removed in order to. As part of the elwha river watershed restoration, the two dams on the river are in the process of being removed and various restoration projects are being carried out to try to return the watershed to its pre dam condition. Interactive earth has been developing interactive media since 1993. Usgs research ecologist jeff duda collects discharge data on a side channel of the elwha river. Issues, considerations, and controversies summary river management is complex, and in many cases decisions must be made to balance conflicting values. In september 2011, the largest dam removal project in u. Glines canyon dam, the tallest ever removed at 210 feet high, was gone by september 2014. How the elwha dam removals changed the rivers mouth. With three quarters of the elwha watershed permanently protected in olympic national park, it. A elwha dam is a concrete gravity dam with adjacent buttresstype intake sections flanked by spillways. Salmon populations will swell, from 3,000 to more than 300,000 as all five species of pacific salmon return. Worlds biggest dam removal and restoration project share removal of the elwha and glines canyon hydroelectric dams, currently underway in the state of washingtons olympic national park, is not only the worlds largestever dam removal.
The dams also had no fish passage, as required by modern environmental laws. The big idea in all three cases was to get rid of hydropower dams no longer worth their maintenance and repair. New viewing area gives look at elwha river after dam removal originally published june 5, 2015 at 11. Elwha river ecosystem and native anadromous fisheries through the removal of elwha dam and glines canyon dam and implementing fish restoration and revegetation. Economic analysis of dam decommissioning march 2003 u. The fraser glaciation occurs and upon receding, the elwha watershed is created. With the dams no longer an obstruction, nature didnt waste any time. A historical timeline is provided at the end for additional background information. In 2011, the national park service commenced the incremental removal of two centuryold dams along the elwha. Starting september 2011, two nearly centuryold dams that collectively contained 21 3 million m 3 of sediment were removed over the course of three years with a topdown deconstruction strategy designed to meter the release of a portion of the damtrapped. On the elwha, a new life when the dam breaks a huge damremoval project will reveal sacred native american lands that have been flooded for a century.
The journey began in 1978 when elwha dam failed to pass its safety inspection. Dam removal is restoring 70 miles of spawning habitat in the elwha. For decades, resource managers agreed that removing the two dams on the elwha river would be a big win for the watershed as a whole and, in particular, for its anadromous trout and salmon. During early stages of the dam removal project, hundreds of thousands of tons of finegrained sediment mostly silts and sands, trapped for decades behind the dams. We are devoted to creating web sites, educational curriculum, graphic design and fine art which reflect the great creativity evident in both human endeavor and the natural world.
This lesson contains a classroom project with background related to the afg video clips about salmon vs. Feb 12, 2014 watch as the elwha dam and glines canyon dam are removed in this short time lapse video using photos from the olympic national parks elwha dam web cam. Dam removal and ecosystem restoration in the elwha river watershed, washington. Ecosystem and fisheries restoration act, authorizing dam removal to restore the altered ecosystem and the native anadromous fisheries therein. The foregoing discussion has highlighted some of the incentives for dam decommissioning and removal, based on potential beneficial effects. Removal of the elwha and glines canyon hydroelectric dams, currently underway in the state of washingtons olympic national park, is not only the worlds largestever dam removal, but is also the second largest ecosystem restoration project in the american national park system. Foreword by robert elofson, elwha river restoration director for the lower elwha klallam tribe.
New viewing area gives look at elwha river after dam removal. The nations largest dam removal project began in sept 2011 on the elwha river, located on the olympic peninsula in washington state. Together, these projects amount to the largest dam removal. September 5, 2018 starting in 2011, the national park service removed two obsolete dams from the elwha river in olympic national park, washington. It is the largest dam removal project in history and the second largest. Coastal and lower elwha river, washington, prior to dam. Coastal and lower elwha river, washington, prior to dam removalhistory, status, and defining characteristics 5. The elwha river and the elwha ecosystem restoration project were the basis for the 2018 documentary, the memory of fish.
Sep 14, 2017 removal of both dams was considered the only viable option for full restoration of the river and spawning habitat. Elwha river response to dam removals through four years and a big. A river reborn takes you to the northwests legendary elwha river valley to discover the people, places, and history behind a remarkable local storyand the largest dam removal project ever undertaken. The national park service, which is leading the dam. Geological survey, washington department of natural resources, the lower elwha klallam tribe, the environmental protection agency and the uw have sifted through eight years of data collected before and after the dam removal. Dec 12, 2011 its just one of the changes to the elwha river system that the lower elwha klallam tribe has been watching with great anticipation since removal of the rivers two fishblocking dams began in september. One can take a quick look to see where the elwha dam once stood, or hike into the heart of a rocky moonscape populated by the stumps of ancient trees.
Two dams removed from washingtons elwha river were branded as. Elwha dam would be removed by blasting, and glines canyon dam. More than 20 million tons of sediment flushed to the sea release date. Elwha river restoration project bull trout protection and restoration plan patrick crain and sam brenkman 122010 this document outlines a strategy to protect bull trout during the removal of the two elwha river dams. George pess, watershed program manager at the national oceanic.
Frequently asked questions olympic national park u. In 1939, most of the elwha river watershed became a part of olympic national park. The transformation of the landscape following the dam removal on the elwha river beginning in 2011 is well underway as forests and flowers flourish where there were once lakes. Elwha river response to dam removals through four years and a big flood. Major changes to elwha river since start of dam removal. Return of the river is the documentary film that lives up to the grandeur of the elwha, its renewal, and its promise.
Tribal enrollment tribal government vocational rehabilitation program. Time lapse of the removal of elwha dam, washington state. The elwha report selected dam removal as the preferred alternative to accomplish river. Elwha river dam removal rebirth of a river by jeffrey j. It is the story of dick goins 30year fight for the removal of the elwha river dam for the return of salmon to the elwha river. Timeline of the elwha through 1940 25,00010,000 years ago.
The klallam and other tribes inhabit a great deal of the northern olympic coast and the mouth of the elwha river. A coho salmon is tagged and measured at a washington state hatchery, west of port angeles. View the four webisodes on the olympic national park website to learn about the history of the elwha river area, construction of the dams and the beginnings of the restoration. Elwha river restoration northwest fisheries science center. Watch as the elwha dam and glines canyon dam are removed in this short time lapse video using photos from the olympic national parks. The elwha river restoration project, in washington state, includes the largest damremoval project in united states history to date. Ferc releases draft environmental impact statement concluding that 1 dam removal is feasible, 2 only dam removal will result in the full restoration of the elwha river ecosystem and anadromous fish, and 3 the cost of power produced by the dam retention would equal or exceed the cost of power from the bonneville power administration. Tearing down the elwha river dam popular mechanics. Over the next five years, water carrying newly freed rocks, sand, silt and old tree trunks reshaped.
The 108 feet 33m high elwha dam and the 210 feet 64 m glines canyon dams were dismantled, reopening more than 70 miles of pristine salmon habitat in the olympic national park that has been blocked to anadromous fish passage for over a century. Elwha dam removal illustrates growing movement the. Salmon populations will swell, from 3,000 to more than 300,000 as all five species of pacific salmon return to more than 70 miles of river and stream. After years of planning for the largest project of its kind, the department of the interior will begin removal of two dams on the elwha. Although the removal of the dams appears to be ahead of schedule, we. In 1992, congress passed the elwha river ecosystem and fisheries restoration act, authorizing dam removal to restore the altered ecosystem and the native anadromous fisheries therein. This is a watershed scale plan which identifies specific. In august 2014, workers completed the largest dam removal project in u. For decades, resource managers agreed that removing the two dams on the elwha river would be a big win for the watershed as a whole and, in particular, for its anadromous. In 1992, congress passed the elwha river ecosystem and fisheries restoration act, authorizing dam removal to restore the altered ecosystem.
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