On June 13, 2011 a group of 28 Beach Watchers and friends headed out to Olympic National Park’s Visitor Center to catch a glimpse of the final days of the Elwha Dam. The day began with a presentation by ONP Ranger Dean Butterworth. He spoke of the impacts the dams had on the region's salmonid species. One of the memorable images he showed was of a group of fish gathered in the pool below the Elwha Dam, trying to make their way up the river though it had been impassable for almost 100 years. The dam removal has been in process for many years and is in its final stages. A treatment facility has been completed and is now in service to protect the water in the area from the high levels of sediment coming down as the lakes are emptied.
A dike has been built on the sides of the Elwha River to protect the adjacent properties from excess build-up of sediment as it is washed downstream. Looking out from the mouth of the river, you can see the change in water color as the turgid waters flow out from the reservoirs.
The group traveled in carpools to the Elwha Dam site where the sluice gates all were open and the water from Lake Aldwell was pouring out. To see an animation of the dam removal both at Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam go to http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/elwha-ecosystem-restoration.htm
Check out that site for background and a lot of what Ranger Butterworth's presentation covered. Then click on 'Dam Removal' and you will see the specifics of the dam removal projects. At the bottom of each section, click on 'Interactive Earth' and this will take you to a
rendering of the dam removal process.
June, 2011:
A Moment in History for the Elwha River