Largest Dam Removal in U.S. History Underway

The Elwha River in Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington will soon flow freely again.
Demolition of the two Elwha River dams, Elwha and Glines Canyon dams began on Sept. 17.

The Lower Elwha Kallam tribe and environmental groups have advocated for the dams’ removal for more than 20 years, and it has finally become a reality. “We attacked this problem knowing that we were going to be here until we got the job done,” said Robert Elofson, a spokesperson for the tribe, in a phone interview.

The Elwha and Glines Canyon dams were built 100 years ago to generate electricity for the region and will be taken down within two to three years. “This is one of the most significant river restoration efforts the world has ever seen,” President of American Rivers Bob Irvin said in a press release.

The dams, now obsolete, kept salmon from spawning in their natural habitat. A total of five species of Pacific salmon once lived and spawned in the Elwha. The removal of the dams will not only restore habitat for salmon, and therefore other wildlife, but also serve as an opportunity for the cultural renewal for the Lower Elwha tribe. The project will also help the local economy by creating jobs in demolition and construction, and in recreation and tourism when the removal is complete.

This is the largest dam removal project the United States has known. It is likely to inspire similar restoration efforts in the greater United States. Dams harm water quality, wildlife habitat, and quality of life for those who live near the rivers. When dams are removed, rivers can regenerate.

“The current dam removals on the Elwha will no doubt shape restoration efforts yet to come,” said Idaho Rivers, United Assistant Policy Director Greg Stahl in a press statement.