Victory! Celebrate the Elwha River Restoration, a Model for Dam Removal
On September 17, 2011, NPCA, the National Park Service, and numerous other supporters of Olympic National Park celebrated the start of the largest dam removal in U.S. history
NPCA is proud to be part of this major victory for the region. We have spent several years leading efforts to fund the project and raise awareness on the importance of this massive restoration, including:
- Working with Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA) and other members of Congress to fund the restoration of the Elwha River.
- Leading multiple trips with volunteers from throughout the Puget Sound area to the Elwha River to remove invasive species in preparation for dam removal.
- Leading multiple tours of the Elwha River for nonprofit groups, international organizations, and interested members of the public to show the ecological benefits of dam removal.
- Presenting the benefits of the restoration project to both political and non-governmental organizations.
Learn More
- See a photo of the Elwha River flowing freely for the first time in more than 100 years (from March 2012).
- Learn more about why removing the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams will benefit the Olympic National Park region.
- Read about the history of the dam with facts and figures on the Elwha ecosystem.
- Learn more about NPCA's Great Waters program.
- Learn more about NPCA's Northwest Regional Office.
