Updates on the Elwha Dam-Removal Progress


An aerial view of the plume of sediment at the mouth of the Elwha shows just how much
material had collected behind the two dams over a century.

photo via seattletimes.nwsource.com

Leland Miyawaki, fishing manager of Orvis Bellevue, sent me links to two great stories from The Seattle Times, showing how things are going on the Elwha River as the removal of two large dams progresses. The above photo is kind of scary, showing how much sediment is flushing out of the river and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but this is actually a good thing for two reasons: the flushing process is removing sediment from the river channel, and it will add material to the nearby shoreline. Click here to read about how the sediment will be redistributed and how the flushing process will be managed for spawning fish.

The second article describes the “lunar landscape” that is emerging as the reservoirs drain. The accompanying photos are astonishing. Click here for the full article.


A gray, barren landscape of sediment and stumps is revealed as the river returns to its channel.

photo via seattletimes.nwsource.com

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