Largest U.S. Dam Removal to Restore Salmon Runs
The Pacific Northwest's Elwha River to teem with life again, experts say.
But on September 15, officials in Olympic National Park will begin the long process of dismantling the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams on the Elwha River. (See a map of the region.)
The largest dam-removal undertaking in U.S. history, the project could serve as an inspiration and a model for similar enterprises in other parts of the country, conservationists say.
"Close to a thousand dams have been removed across our country, but these are the biggest," said Amy Kober, a spokesperson for the environmental group American Rivers.
"It is one of the most significant restoration efforts we have ever seen."
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