Elwha River Restoration
Two Elwha River dams came down between 2011 and 2014, and more than 20 million tons of trapped sediment flowed downstream to rebuild the river and coast (NPS, USGS).
SI-generated image by Saving Planets.
Last reviewed: 2 sources cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- The Elwha River had two dams that stopped salmon from swimming home.
- Between 2011 and 2014 both dams were taken down.
- Sand and gravel stuck behind the dams washed down the river and helped rebuild the beach, and the river runs free again.
The Five W's of Elwha River Restoration
Who
Olympic National Park with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, NOAA, USGS, and fish and wildlife agencies.
What
The removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams so the river could flow free from the mountains to the sea.
When
Congress approved it in 1992. Work began September 17, 2011, and the last dam was gone in 2014.
Where
The Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Why
The dams blocked salmon, trapped Sand, mud and gravel carried by water that settles on river beds, lake bottoms and beaches. Glossary and flooded homelands of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
Impact Statement
Agency solution · active
More than 20 million tons of sediment that had piled up behind the dams moved downstream in the first five years, rebuilding the river bed and the beach at the river mouth.
Source: USGS, Moving Mountains: Elwha River still changing
For Further Information: National Park Service, Elwha River Restoration
After two dams came out, more than 20 million tons of sand and gravel washed down the Elwha River to rebuild its beaches.
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
The salmon runs were an important food source for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe; the restored river reconnects the Tribe with its homelands and fish.
Source: National Park Service, Elwha River Restoration
For Nature
The Elwha once hosted eleven kinds of sea-run salmon and trout, and today it flows freely again from the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Want to go deeper? Olympic National Park has the full Elwha story.
For Further InformationRelated Solutions
More solutions like this one, matched by meaning.
For Teachers
Discussion questions
- What is Elwha River Restoration, and what problem does it help solve?
- Who is behind Elwha River Restoration, and where does the work happen?
- How does Elwha River Restoration help both people and nature? Use one fact from this page.
Sources are listed with each fact in the Five W's above.
Cite This Page
APA
Saving Planets. (n.d.). Elwha River Restoration. https://www.savingplanets.com/Elwha_River_Restoration.html
MLA
"Elwha River Restoration." Saving Planets, https://www.savingplanets.com/Elwha_River_Restoration.html.