Document - Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force letter
Abstract
While many restoration actions are underway along the rivers that flow into the Salish Sea, addressing the impacts of dams that impact adult or juvenile passage represents one of the best ways to provide an immediate benefit for salmon. A recent paper in Science notes a “major finding that rivers are resilient, with many responding quickly to dam removal. Most river channels stabilize within months or years, not decades.” The authors further note that “migratory fish have also responded quickly… Within days of the blast removing the last of Glines Canyon Dam, Elwha River Chinook salmon swam upstream past its rocky abutments.” A number of opportunities to address the impacts of dams exist within Washington State on tributaries that flow into the Salish Sea on the Nooksack River, Puyallup River, Pilchuck River, White River, Deschutes River, Snake River, Similkameen River, and Yakima River. Addressing dams that impact salmon can also address navigational impacts.Description
Overview of opportunities to address impacts of dams that impact salmon and navigation.Document Information
Filename - Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force letter2170.pdf
Size - 234.28KB
Associated Projects
Chehalis
American Whitewater is committed to the stewardship and conservation of the Chehalis River where a new dam is proposed.
Nooksack Stewardship (WA)
Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system.
Puyallup Watershed (WA)
Major rivers of the Puyallup watershed include the Carbon, Puyallup, and White which drain the western and northern slopes of Mt. Rainier which we are working to preserve and protect.
Similkameen River (BC/WA)
American Whitewater supports conservation and restoration of the Similkameen River.
Snake River Restoration (ID, OR, WA)
American Whitewater is working with a coalition of partners to restore the Snake and Salmon Rivers in Idaho for fish and paddlers.