After our whale watching tour out of Port Angeles we decided to head back to Lake Sutherland but made a quick stop to view the Elwha River and what use to be the Glines Canyon River Damn.
The Elwha Dam was a 108-ft high dam located in the state of Washington, on the Elwha River approximately 4.9 miles upstream from the mouth of the river on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Map showing location of Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam
The Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act of 1992 authorized the US Federal Government to acquire the Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam hydroelectric power projects for decommissioning and demolition for habitat restoration. Removal of the Elwha Dam began in September 2011 and was fully complete by March 2012, allowing the Elwha River to flow freely through the site. The removal of the largest dam in U.S. History was featured in National Geographic.
Sun shining on the Elwha River Valley
From what was Glines Canyon Dam looking north towards the where the Elwha river empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca
(Close-up) From what was Glines Canyon Dam looking north towards the where the Elwha river empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Elwha River Valley looking south
(Close-up) Elwha River Valley looking south
Below is a short time-lapse video of the removal of the dam.
