An Evening on the Elwha River

Last September, federal officials began dismantling two dams on the Elwha River, restoring the natural flow to this Olympic river. I've seen portions of the Elwha dam removal in progress, and it is an incredible sight to behold.

Before and after shots of Elwha Dam Removal in progress. The photo at left was taken in August, and the photo on the right was taken in November. Photos provided to us by the National Parks Conservation Association.

Now you can learn about this process too. The National Parks Conservation Association and other community partners will be hosting an event on Wednesday at the Seattle REI flagship store called An Evening on the Elwha River - Dam Removal and Restoration.

This evening discussion is sure to be interesting - it's about the largest dam removal in US history, and it's right in our backyard. This project is also the second-largest restoration project in the country. Moderated by Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes, the panel features scientists who have been engaged in this project from its beginnings, and they'll provide an overview of the current and future research being conducted on the Elwha River and an update on the status of dam removal, which began last September.

The National Parks Conservation Association, NatureBridge, and American Rivers will also briefly discuss their involvement in the restoration project and how we citizens can get involved. The event is sponsored by the National Parks Conservation Association, NatureBridge, National Park Service, American Rivers, American Whitewater, and the Student Conservation Association.