2007 a big year for dam removal in Oregon

Posted on November 15, 2007 | Filed Under Dam Removal, Northwest, River Renewal 

Amy Kober
Northwest Outreach & Communications Director 

Oregonians will enjoy cleaner water, better fishing and boating, and stronger salmon and steelhead runs, thanks to the removal of four dams this year.

American Rivers today released its annual national survey of dam removals. Some highlights:

Dams torn down this year to restore Oregon rivers:

The removal of these four dams restored unimpeded access for salmon and steelhead to over 140 miles of habitat. Here are the highlights:

Brownsville Dam, Calapooia River:

This 5-foot high dam, originally built in 1858 to divert water for a millrace, was removed in August 2007 in order to restore access to critical habitat for spring Chinook and steelhead.  With the dam gone, these migratory fish will now have access to more than 40 miles of spawning habitat.  This project is one of the first projects funded under NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative, providing funding for community-driven small dam and barrier removal projects.  Contact Kerry Griffin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (503) 872-2738.

Marmot Dam, Sandy River:

Removal began on the 47-foot high Marmot Dam, built in 1912 as part of PGE’s Bull Run Hydroelectric project, in July 2007.  In recent years it became clear that addressing the harm the dams caused to salmon and bringing the project up to date with modern environmental protections would be very costly. In 2002, PGE signed an agreement with 22 organizations to decommission the project.  Once the Little Sandy Dam, the second dam in the settlement, is removed next year, the project will open more than 100 miles of high quality habitat for threatened salmon and steelhead and increase recreational opportunities for boaters.  Contact Amy Kober, American Rivers, (206) 213-0330 x23.

South Fork Klaskanine Dam, South Fork Klaskanine River:

The South Fork Klaskanine Dam was originally built in 1980 to divert water to a commercial hatchery in Youngs Bay.  The removal of this structure occurred in August 2007 in order to provide fish passage for migrating salmonids with fish screens and an intake being installed to fulfill the water diversion obligations.  This removal will result in access to 2.25 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for coho, cutthroat, and steelhead and allow for natural stream processes to occur, such as sediment and woody debris transport.  The project was funded in part through a partnership between NOAA Community-based Restoration Program and American Rivers.  Contact Catie Fernandez, CREST, (503) 325-0435.

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Comments

One Response to “2007 a big year for dam removal in Oregon”

  1. Water is the driver of Nature. — Leonardo daVinci : American Rivers Blog on November 20th, 2007 6:01 am

    [...] removal restored access to over 140 miles of habitat for salmon and steelhead in Oregon this year. More River Quotes are posted weekday mornings. Want to see your favorite river quote here? Email it to [...]

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