Lecture Notes: Dams and River Restoration

Introduction

• Radical thoughts on dam removal have shifted over the decades.
• Hopeful vision of reconnecting watersheds with ancient fish runs.
• The impact of dams on landscapes and communities.

Historical Significance of Dams in the US

• Early communities established near rivers for machinery power.
• 1889: South Fork Dam failure leads to Johnstown flood disaster.
• Fish hatcheries established to mitigate wildlife loss.
• 1902 Reclamation Act promotes western irrigation, leading to resource abuse.

Major Dams and Their Impact

• Hoover and Grand Coulee Dams created jobs during the Great Depression.
• 1950-1970: 30,000 dams built, altering landscapes.
• Environmental concerns led to public pushback on new dam projects.

Turning Tides: Dam Removal Efforts

• 1973 Endangered Species Act aims to protect wildlife.
• 1997: Edwards Dam removal marks a pivotal moment in conservation.
• 2011: Year of the River, highlighted by Elwha Dam removal.

Environmental and Cultural Impacts

• Dam removal aims to restore fish populations and river ecosystems.
• Significant cultural losses, as seen with Celilo Falls and Native American tribes.

Engineering and Policy Challenges

• Sediment management is a key hurdle in dam removals.
• Elwha and Condit Dams serve as experiments in large-scale restoration.

Controversies and Pro-Dam Arguments

• Economic and energy concerns drive some to oppose dam removal.
• Proponents argue for the ecological and cultural value of free-flowing rivers.

Future of Dams

• The debate continues as some areas still pursue new dam projects.
• The Klamath River project as a case study for potential large-scale restoration efforts.

Conclusion

• The complex interplay between human development and natural ecosystems.
• The ongoing evolution in the conversation around dams, restoration, and conservation.