Restoration U.S. Department of the Interior

Olympic National Park

The largest removal in United States history began September 2011. Today, is gone, over fifty percent of has been removed, the and reservoirs have drained and the Elwha River flows freely from its headwaters in the to the for the first time in 100 years. As the come down, the salmon can return, bringing with them the promise of a restored ecosystem and a renewed culture. Opportunities to experience Elwha River Restoration await your discovery.

Elwha River Freeing a River Restoration Timeline Replenishing a Coast Restoring an Ecosystem Natural sediment flow from the The return of anadromous fish is bringing 1910 mountains to the coast is being restored, back a vital food source for bears, eagles and rebuilding wetlands, beaches and the other animals to an ecosystem that has been estuary at the river’s mouth. deprived of this resource for 100 years. Creating Economic Opportunities Reestablishing a Population Just as the dams played a vital role in is freeing the Elwha River, the history and development of the allowing all five species of Pacific salmon area, removing them and restoring the to return to over 70 miles of habitat. Elwha Dam construction begins. The 108 ecosystem is creating new opportunities Salmon populations will grow from 3,000 ft. high dam becomes operational in 1913, for growth and regional vitality. to nearly 400,000. but does not provide for fish passage. 1925 Renewing a Culture Returning salmon and a restored river have revitalized the culture of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, who have lived along the river since time immemorial. Tribal members are now able to access sacred sites that were once inundated and cultural traditions are being reborn.

Restoration Milestones Glines Canyon Dam construction begins. The 210 ft. dam is operational in 1927. 1938 is established. 1992 Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act is signed. 2000 Dams, power plants, and reservoirs Sediment trapped in the Over 2,000 pounds of Over 67,000 seedlings purchsed by the U.S. government. reservoirs is now moving native seeds have been have been planted to 2011 downstream, replenishing planted in former Lake help restore native Dam removal begins. the riverbed, estuary and Mills and Lake Aldwell. vegetation at the sites of coastal shoreline. the dams and reservoirs. March 2012

Elwha Dam removal is completed and natural river flow is restored through former Lake Aldwell.

October 2012 Salmon, steelhead and Salmon have hatched Next 5 Years Although a third of Glines Canyon Dam lamprey have begun upstream of the Elwha 350,000 native seedlings remains, the last of Lake Mills is drained to naturally migrate Dam and migrated and 5,000 pounds of and river flow is restored in the Elwha. upstream of Elwha Dam downstream for the first seeds will be planted at for the first time in a 100 time in a century. February 2013 the sites of the dams and years. reservoirs. Dam removal put on hold while corrections to Elwha Water Facilities begin. Next 20-30 Years September 2014 Elwha River salmon populations will grow from 3,000 to nearly 400,000 fish. Critical Dam removal is scheduled for completion. habitats, including beaches, islands, and eddies will be created and renewed as sediment moves downstream from the old reservoirs.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Discover Elwha River Restoration

9 1 Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Center 2 Feiro Marine Life Center 3 Museum at Former Lake Mills the Carnegie 8 4 Elwha River Bridge 5 6 Former Elwha Dam Former Lake Former View & Access 7 Aldwell Access Lake Aldwell Olympic National (drained) 8 Park Visitor Center Elwha River Elwha River Viewpoint Viewpoint 7

Elwha Elwha Valley Olympic NP Visitor Center Altair

a - Hurrican 6 Elwh e H ill Tr Hurricane Ridge ail Whiskey Bend Road Visitor Center

Former Lake Mills 9 (drained) Former Lake Former Lake Aldwell Mills Access 5

1 2 3 4

Warrior Path Feiro Marine Life Center Museum at the Carnegie Elwha River Bridge Former Elwha Dam Access

1 Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Center 2 Feiro Marine Life Center 3 Museum at the Carnegie Just past the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Interact with Elwha exhibits that feature Learn about the historic Elwha Valley, Center is the 0.7 mile Warrior Path loop a hands-on model of Glines Canyon Dam including Glines Canyon and Elwha trail to the Elwha River estuary. and Lake Mills. 315 N. Lincoln Street on dams, through informative exhibits. Lower Elwha Road Port Angeles City Pier 207 S. Lincoln Street

4 Elwha River Bridge 5 Former Elwha Dam View & Access 6 Former Lake Aldwell Access Cross the Elwha River bridge to get a Stroll a short trail to an overlook or hike Discover the newly uncovered Lake bird’s-eye view of the river and connect to to the end of Lower Dam Road to view Aldwell reservoir. Hike along a the Olympic Discovery Trail. ecosystem restoration at the former site of reemerging landscape blooming with Elwha River Road the Elwha Dam. Lower Dam Road new life. Lake Aldwell Road

7 Olympic Nat’l Park Visitor Center 8 Elwha River Viewpoint 9 Former Lake Mills Access View exhibits and ask a ranger about Observe a changing landscape where the Explore a dynamic and changing Elwha River Restoration updates. Elwha River flows through the site of the landscape. Hike down the 0.4 mile Upper 3002 Road former Lake Aldwell reservoir. Lake Mills Trail to the south end of the Highway 101 former reservoir. Whiskey Bend Road

Explore Safely River & Area Closures Collecting Prohibited

Use caution when exploring. Conditions The Elwha River and its tributaries within Collecting artifacts is illegal in the park change constantly. Woody debris and logs Olympic National Park are closed to all and Elwha Project Lands. are actively moving in the river and on fishing. Boating is prohibited from Upper exposed lakebeds. Riverbanks are eroding Lake Mills Trail to Altair Campground. and may be unstable. Stay at least 20 feet Learn more about The Glines Canyon Dam site and Olympic from the edge of riverbanks. Elwha River Restoration Hot Springs Road are closed above Altair http://tinyurl.com/Elwha- Campground to vehicle and pedestrian Restoration traffic until dam removal is complete.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA