Effects of the Elwha River Dams Largest Watershed in the Park

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Effects of the Elwha River Dams Largest Watershed in the Park Covers almost 20% of Olympic National Park Thomas Aldwell 1910 Cutting Corners; The First Dam Blows OAldwell did not secure the foundation into the bedrock. OAldwell did not get a federal license for the dam!!! OIn October 1912, the foundation blew out and the torrent of water took out the lower bridge. Lake Aldwell in 2010 Elwha Dam The SecondNippon Paper MillTry OAmazingly, Lower AldwellElwha Dam was able to get funding to rebuilt the dam! ORepairs were completed in 1913 and the dam began operation. OBefore their turbines were deactivated in June 2011, the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams produced ONLY 38% of the power for one paper mill!!! Glines Canyon Dam OGlines Canyon dam was completed in 1927, 7 miles upstream from the Elwha dam. OThe dam and reservoir were included in the boundaries of Olympic National Park in 1938. Lake Mills Reservoir Anadromous Fish Pre-Dam ~400,000 returns 70+ miles habitat What Effects Did the Dams Have on Salmon? Anadromous Fish Post-Dam < 4,000 returns 4.9 miles habitat The Loss of Downstream Spawning Grounds OThe 5 miles of remaining available salmon habitat became severely degraded over time. OThe loss of sediment below the dams resulted in river channels that lacked the gravel salmon need for spawning. OHistoric practices, such as logging and agriculture also damaged the river. The Problems Mounted… OWater-treatment facilities were built downstream. ODam removal began in September 2011. Elwha Dam Removal Click image to view animation Glines Canyon Dam Removal Click image to view animation Dam Removal Webcams OThe dams are inaccessible to the public during deconstruction. 6 webcams were installed along the Elwha River for the public to observe the removal process. OThey can be viewed at http://video-monitoring.com/construction/olympic/ js.htm This project was made possible in part by a grant from Washington’s National Park Fund. .

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