Elwha Dam Removal and the Elwha River Valley

Have you been following Elwha Dam Removal project? I try to, as it affects many species of fish and wildlife, as well as fresh water to the city of Port Angeles.

The Elwha River Valley in the Olympic National Park is one of the most pristine places on planet earth. The river flows forth from the Elwha Snowfinger, a snowfield high in the Olympic Range where when the snow melts it splits into two rivers, one the Queets to the south and the Elwha to the north and then into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

For you fellow photographers, this area is one of the must see stops when exploring the Olympic Peninsula and the National park. I have been photographing the area for about 15 years now and watched as seasonal rains and floods have reshaped the river over and over as they have done for millennium.

One of my favorite places to go, especially when I have visitors from out of town is Madison Falls. It is about 50 foot high and right at the entrance to the park's Elwha River Valley. There is a asphalt path that winds about 300 feet from the parking lot to a viewing area at the base of the falls. Easy walk for any age and hiking ability. It is wheel chair accessible.






Madison Falls, Elwha River Valley



 

You can spend a great deal of time exploring the Elwha River Valley. One of my favorite times to visit is in the fall when the leaves start to turn. Maples trees fill the valley with color in October and the weather is crisp. Here is an image that was taken a few years ago near the Altaire campground:

Elwha Maples, Elwha River Valley

So if your visiting the area, it is about 11 miles west of Port Angeles. You turn left onto the Hot Springs road off Highway 101 just before you cross the Elwha River on 101. The Hot Springs road will take you to the entrance of the Olympic National Park and the Elwha River Valley. Of course there is a fee to enter the park. But it is well worth the price of admission. Don't miss it!

So what about the dam removal? Well things are not going too well with the project at the moment. Apparently, someone misjudged the amount of sediment behind the two dams that have come down and the silt has clogged the fresh water treatment plant that will eventually feed Port Angeles with fresh water. Not only that, salmon smolts released from the Elwha hatchery have been killed by the sediment in the water. Not good. We'll be keeping an eye on the project and hope it can cleaned up quickly and those 100 pound King salmon will return to the river.

You can read some of the latest news from the Peninsual Daily News in Port Angeles right here:  Dam Removal News
If you want more information on the dam removal check this National Park Service blog out: Dam Removal Blog.
Pat Neal is a North Olympic Peninsula fishing guide, local historian and humorist. He wrote a column on the history of the Elwha, including the dams and it is quite interesting to read. I include it here: Pat Neal Blog