Dam Gone: River Roars Back to Life

For decades, dams on Washington's Elwha River were seen as progress, providing electricity and reshaping landscapes. However, they severely impacted the river, interrupting fish migration and trapping sediment for nearly a century.

The Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam, constructed in 1914 and 1927 respectively, supplied power for regional development. Their presence blocked salmon access to approximately 75 miles of historical spawning grounds and prevented natural replenishment of beaches and estuaries.

By the latter half of the twentieth century, the dams' electricity generation role diminished. Simultaneously, tribal fishing rights gained federal recognition, intensifying efforts to restore damaged fisheries.

In 1992, Congress authorized the purchase of both dams, paving the way for removal. The demolition process, beginning in September 2011 and lasting about three years, involved a careful top-down approach to manage the release of approximately 21 million cubic meters of accumulated sediment.

This staged removal allowed sediment to flow downstream progressively, rebuilding riverbanks, expanding gravel bars, and creating about 70 acres of new beach and estuary habitat in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The restoration yielded significant ecological recovery. Within months, steelhead and coho salmon returned to previously inaccessible tributaries. The influx of salmon nutrients also benefited surrounding wildlife, including American dippers.

While large dams remain crucial globally, the Elwha River's transformation demonstrated the potential for ecological revival when rivers are allowed to flow freely. Today, the river reaches the sea unimpeded, supporting salmon populations and a dynamic coastal environment.