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May 29, 2011 in Nation/World
Dam removal project will be biggest in U.S. history
PORT ANGELES, Wash. – The Elwha River on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula once teemed with legendary salmon runs before two towering concrete dams built nearly a century ago cut off fish access to upstream habitat, diminished their runs and altered the ecosystem.
On June 1, nearly two decades after Congress called for full restoration of the river and its fish runs, federal workers will turn off the generators at the 1913 dam powerhouse and set in motion the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.
Contractors will begin dismantling the dams this fall, a $324.7 million project that will take about three years and eventually will allow the 45-mile Elwha River to run free as it courses from the Olympic Mountains through old-growth forests into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
“We’re going to let this river be wild again,” said Amy Kober, a spokeswoman for the advocacy group American Rivers. “The generators may be powering down, but the river is about to power up.”
The 105-foot Elwha Dam came on line in 1913, followed 14 years later by the 210-foot Glines Canyon Dam eight miles upstream. For years, they provided electricity to a local pulp and paper mill and the growing city of Port Angeles, Wash., about 80 miles west of Seattle. Electricity from the dams – enough to power about 1,700 homes – currently feeds the regional power grid.
A Washington state law required fish passage facilities, but none was built. So all five native species of Pacific salmon and other anadromous fish that mature in the ocean and return to rivers to spawn were confined to the lower five miles of the river. A hatchery was built but lasted only until 1922.
The fish are particularly important to members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, whose ancestors have occupied the Elwha Valley for generations and whose members recall stories of 100-pound Chinook salmon so plentiful you could walk across the river on their backs.
“We have never been happy that the salmon runs in the river were cut off,” said Robert Elofson, Elwha River restoration director for the tribe, which along with environmental groups fought in the 1980s to tear down the dams.
The tribe’s land now includes about 1,000 acres on and near the Elwha River. “It’s hard to have any pride when your main river of your tribe has been blocked and the salmon runs almost totally destroyed.”
In 1910, the Elwha produced about 390,000 salmon and sea-run trout, including coho, pink, sockeye and chinook salmon and steelhead trout. The number of wild native sea-run fish dwindled to only about 3,000 in 2005.
Brenda Francis, a tribal spokeswoman and member, said her mother as a little girl recalled meetings where tribal members discussed taking down the dams. “The people never wanted the dams to go up in the first place,” she said.
Because most of the river lies within the protected boundaries of Olympic National Park, scientists say the Elwha River restoration project also presents a unique opportunity to study how a river recovers once it’s dam-free. Researchers will study how salmon return to the river, how their return will benefit wildlife such as bears and eagles, and how the estuary will be reshaped when sediment trapped behind the dams is released.
More than 24 million cubic yards of sediment are held behind the dams in Lake Mills and Lake Aldwell, enough to fill a football stadium two miles high, said David Reynolds, a spokesman for Olympic National Park. The National Park Service and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe are leading the river restoration project.
When the reservoirs are drained, 800 acres of barren land will be exposed. At the park’s new greenhouse, park botanists and volunteers are busy transplanting and potting salal, gooseberry, ocean spray and other plants to fill the exposed land.
Crews have been collecting seeds, cones and cuttings along the river since 2002.
The first 15,000 plants will be put in this fall. In all more than 400,000 plants will be used to restore a forested ecosystem, keep out exotic species and prevent erosion.
“This is a great experiment for other dam removals,” said Jill Zarzeczny, biological technician with the Elwha revegetation project.
On a recent day at the powerhouse, the dams were running at maximum generation, fed by glaciers and weather patterns that make it a rich water resource, said Kevin Yancy, the power plant’s foreman.
He works for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which has operated the dams since the federal government bought them in 2000.
Starting in June, workers will take the electrical load off the generator, de-energize the lines coming into the plant, close the headgates and remove all hazardous energy so contractors can begin their work later this fall, Yancy said.
In the control room, original gauges, switches and other instruments are still in use, along with more modern equipment, to measure the reservoir water levels and amount of energy produced. A window in the room offers a view of the milky, glacier-fed river below where Yancy said he will often see hundreds of fish jumping as they run up against the walls of the Elwha Dam.
“They want to go upstream,” Yancy said.
“Being a hydro guy, none of us want to see power plants removed, but for this river and this story, it’s time.”
© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Stocks plummet as outlook in Europe dims 
oneanddone on May 29 at 5:32 a.m.
This is the essential reason why the US is over $14T in debt. Spending well over $300M so a few fish can swim up ONE single river is categorically ridiculous. I think what we need to do is convert somewhere in the desert SW to an environmentalism commune and relocate all of that ilk. They then can be free to live without “damaging” their locale. They can call their new home Nutjobnewtonia.
WillyPeter on May 29 at 6:06 a.m.
oneanddone, pretty much right on. We’re spending all this money destroying dams so tribes can replace them with nets. On their adjoining 1,000 acres, there will probably be a new tribal resort casino soon. Someday these tribal gurus will lose the argument that they’re transcendently ‘special,’ and that all Americans are equally ‘special’…..
detroitdude on May 29 at 7:33 a.m.
I’d agree it’s a waste of money to dismantle the dam. Probably never should have been built in the first place.
hamrsrscarry on May 29 at 8:30 a.m.
Wingnutbagger playbook engage:
1. Boondoggle - Stupid federal waste
2. Tribes just want all the fish, we won the war, make them pay for it!
3. Obama ruined the rivers of the west
4. Hold breath until big fat wingnutbagger face turns red
eagleproducer on May 29 at 8:41 a.m.
hmrs: You beat me to it!
oneanddone: I’d look at that 1.4 trillion dollars wasted on the military every two years if you want to know why we’re broke, which, by the way, we aren’t. At least we can eat salmon.
Squid on May 29 at 8:48 a.m.
$324 Million? How is that possible? It’s just demolition, disposal, and replanting things that would replant themselves naturally…. I could see it taking $32.4 million, but this is ridiculous. It’s pretty far from being high risk. There are maybe four houses and one business that would be at risk, if you just blew the dam and hauled away the debris. I know the trapped sediment will produce unnatural features, but nothing about a dam or reservoir is natural. Too late for that. It’s going to be man made natural features.
leekinny on May 29 at 8:51 a.m.
How can anyone live in a state this beautiful and hold its flora and fauna in such deep contempt?
http://www.wildsalmon.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=305&Itemid=86
Gerrbear on May 29 at 8:51 a.m.
Reason USA is so mired in debt is military spending, period.
The fearmongering fools who would blame enviromental restoration for the debt are truly laughable an sadly misinformed. Were the fish runs returned to any substainable level the increased supply of food would off set any or the costs assoicated with this project.. Tourisum trade an a balanced life for all the citizens of the area is vital to maintain a sound ecological system.. Shame an blame small minds a brain stem is more than you are able to use.
Perhaps you have not heard of runof the river power generation, perhaps you have no interest in clean clear fresh water, which is dependent on consistant flow levels. Perhaps your education has been dependent on earning a wage as the elite enjoy the fruits of your labors.. Good luck Spokane you are as usual going to need a large dose western washington funds to pay your bills for highways bridges and oh yea Damns.
schleufer on May 29 at 8:59 a.m.
have any of you people ever been to the elwah reservation and the elwah river? to start with the elwah reservation is on one side of the mouth of the river and only runs maybe a couple miles. that river upstream runs through one of the nicest public camp grounds around.
the amount of fish taken in that area by tribal members is miniscule compared to the many miles of non tribal land and fishermen or women.
40 years ago the salmon derby in port angeles gave away pick ups with campers cars and boats and the salmon were huge. now the derby gives away trinkets and have small numbers of 10 pound catches.
i guess it amazes me still in this day and age that anytime the word indian is mentioned the hate in the hearts of the racist type abound. mention the environment and people think of some kook and more mud slinging. i mean this is the only planet we have and the only one we have to leave for our childeren, dont ya think if we screw it up we should fix it or should we just leave our mess for future generations?
Squid on May 29 at 9:18 a.m.
Gerrbear, tourism and food will pay for this project…… in about 400 years. Does your brain stem tell you that the water is going to be clearer than it is now, or that Spokane uses a little more than 20% of our tax money in Spokane? The majority of our money goes to the other side of the state to build bridges and freeways, while we power through the ruts in ours. That is why there has been talk of drawing new state lines. We want to keep more of our money, and send less to the other side of the state.
schleufer, how do you guys see every possible thing as racism? Heck with it…. I’ll be a racist, if it makes you happy, even though I have been dating a Sioux Tribal member for 6 years, and was married to a Thai girl for 11 years before that. SQUID=racism
Liberty_Bell on May 29 at 9:33 a.m.
Of course reading comprehension “IS” the real problem.
“A Washington state law required fish passage facilities, but none was built.”
Just ask todays Queen about enforcement of the law, where reading comprehension, also confuses no-one, unless you attended any State of Say WA, educational facility.
Gerrbear on May 29 at 9:39 a.m.
The federal government is spending $2 billion a year on Hanford clean up, just the clean up. Now that is real money honey pie’s.
Thoreau on May 29 at 9:39 a.m.
Lots of hateful thoughts on this post. I’ll bet those who criticize the idea also make little or no attempt at diminishing their own footprint on our planet. I agree with the poster who says that if you cannot embrace the unique environment of WA State, then move. New Jersey might be suitable.
leekinny on May 29 at 9:40 a.m.
Military spending and adventurism is the problem along with an irresponsible tax system.
What’s good for one part of the state is good for the whole state.
Gerrbear on May 29 at 9:51 a.m.
Two Billion a year, for clean up of Hanford , get some education an come on back an post your silly comments
Liberty_Bell on May 29 at 9:51 a.m.
And of Course, welcome to the Grand Illusion?
Vote Grand Coolie(D)
“A Washington state law required fish passage facilities, but none was built.”
The biggest King Salmon run in the world, and have we got a New Deal(D) for YOU!
Squid on May 29 at 10:01 a.m.
Liberty, good point. I bet it would be much cheaper to build a couple fish ladders.
Of course, the date that the fish passage law was passed would be very relevant to the story. If that law was passed after 1913, (when the dam was built) then the dam might be grandfathered in, or the fish ladder should have been built many moons ago.<<<<racial reference=”” by=”” man=”” who=”” date=”“ squaw=”“>
PlanB on May 29 at 10:12 a.m.
Seems like a reasonable endeavor. We need to understand how to deal with these century old structures. But I wonder if this will hurt the fish runs in the short term, which so much sediment being released into the river.
Liberty_Bell on May 29 at 10:20 a.m.
And US District Court Judge Redden?
“Speeching is not Breeching.”
Of course when your a political hack, from Bush, Clinton, Bush, or Obama Administrations, and think you work for the National Marine Fisheries Service, and know absolutly nothing about fish, you get to go to court, and attempt to lie in front of the Judge, a (D)+(R)=0 including no facts whatsoever.
Even Dr Suess was not as stupid as two partys of Drunks.
One Fish
Two Fish
Red Fish
Blue Fish
This one is as (D)umb as the Other!
liberal_in_right_wing_land on May 29 at 10:50 a.m.
Anyone who thinks taking down these dams is why this country is broke is completely misinformed and also completely stupid. As others have said, look at the military spending and handouts to special interests and big corporations to why we are in debt - remember people we are paying for the oil companies to drill despite them making $30+ billion in PROFITS every four months.
I am glad we are taking these down, they never should have been built in the first place. This is one of the great advantages we have living in Washington is we are so close to nature and most people here appreciate that and will do what they can to protect it. If you don’t like that, please move, Texas and other southern states might be more to your liking where they think the environment is just in the way of oil drilling and record profits.
leekinny on May 29 at 11:41 a.m.
“squaw” ? As if that’s; not demeaning ?
pjc on May 29 at 11:43 a.m.
Sorry to all those saying military expenditures are making us broke but entitlements (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) are more draining our resources and those costs are growing exponentially. From the 2010 US Budget:
1. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid make up about 40 percent of government expenditures.
2. Defense spending accounted for another 20 percent.
3. Interest on the debt accounted for 8.5 percent of federal spending.
This is not to say that defense spending is wasteful but our politicians are unwilling and unable to control entitlement costs. The arithmetic doesn’t lie.
leekinny on May 29 at 11:57 a.m.
On defense spending, today,from ‘The Hill’, “Most had no idea the defense budget is larger than federal spending for education, Medicare or interest on the debt.”…more…
http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/148365-the-defense-budget-ignorance-is-not-bliss
Squid on May 29 at 1:19 p.m.
Him dim light in bright sky.
mdriftmeyer on May 29 at 1:51 p.m.
Removing of the Dam isn’t a military demo project. The people who can’t grasp the salvage costs of removing equipment, giant turbines, power lines, underwater blading, etc., know nothing about Engineering and the costs of project disposal.
The cost of loss of Fish revenues for tribes and commercial fishing alone in a decade dwarfs the cost of this project. If you want to add the cost of the ecosystem that was destroyed for nearly 100 years, it dwarfs it all.
misjustice on May 29 at 1:57 p.m.
At $324.7 million I would think they could take down a few hundred dams.
A few sticks of dynamite in strategic places would do the trick & save about $324.5 million. Another ripoff of the American taxpayer!!!
misjustice on May 29 at 2:03 p.m.
@ pjc……. Social Security & Medicare are paid into by the taxpayer for a benefit to that taxpayer at a later date. Medicare recipients are still paying a monthly fee to collect their Medicaid coverage. It is not free to them. Medicaid is Welfare & is paid for by the taxpayer for those that aren’t working/poor/disabled, etc that don’t usually pay into the system.
So your claim of SS & Medicare being the drain on the system is just not true!
maria on May 29 at 3:20 p.m.
A good friend of mine who works at a dam on the Snake told me this morning that allowing the dam on the Elwha to remain in place would ultimately lead to environmental catastrophe for that river.
Squid on May 29 at 11:43 p.m.
I can’t grasp the salvage costs when it is $324 million. This dam was built in 1913, so there was no modern day heavy equipment to build it. There were no gasoline or diesel engine cars, trucks, or cranes. The roads were poorly constructed dirt roads. How giant could the equipment in this dam be? Seems to me that you demo everything around the giant equipment and yank it out, then recycle it for a pocketful of quarters. (Being sarcastic, since there is probably over $500,000 in copper alone)
If the estimated cost of demolishing a huge building in downtown Spokane was at $10 million, would you think that was crazy? There would be a whole lot more to dispose of, and a whole lot less that is recyclable. This is $324 million!
Tell ya what…. I’ll do it for half. $162 million. Where do I place my bid?
DRnohaha on May 30 at 9:14 p.m.
@Squid: Removal of BOTH dams is costing around $27 million — yes that’s still a lot of taxpayer money. The $324.7 million total budget has been accumulating since 1992 and includes something like 40+ separate projects, including two water treatment plants, a hatchery and flood protection.
“Of course, the date that the fish passage law was passed would be very relevant to the story.”
1890. Dam construction started in 1910. No grandfather clause.
Squid on May 30 at 9:33 p.m.
Thanks Doc. That makes me feel a little better. Still a lot of money though. You kinda gotta wonder why those details weren’t in this story.