A best place to visit: the re-wilded Elwha River
Return of the River: This award-winning film documents the largest dam removal in the U.S. and the extraordinary efforts to restore an eco-system.
Get inspired: Olympic National Park’s Elwha River
A sacred wilderness preserved through inspirational activism makes Olympic Peninsula’s Elwha River an absolute must to visit. You can hike, bike, go birding, and take beach walks at numerous access points to the Elwha River both inside and outside Olympic National Park. Most importantly you can witness an extraordinary effort to restore an eco-system!
After decades of activism from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, townspeople, and environmentalists, the largest dam removal in the country freed the 45-mile long Elwha River in 2011. This enabled salmon to return to the upper reaches of the river after a 100-year absence and set in motion the renewal of the Elwha watershed.
See conservation success
In just 10 years salmon have found their way to the far reaches of the river. Sediment from the dam removal has created a new beach. Wildlife has returned.
“The rewilding of the Elwha is a story of environmental justice,” writes Return of the River filmmaker Jessica Plumb in Orion magazine. “Salmon are at the heart of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s culture and economy, and tribal members were the first to protest the degradation of the river. As water rose behind the first dam, the reservoir inundated a site sacred to the tribe, believed to be the birthplace of the Klallam people. When the reservoir drained away, tribal members rediscovered the sacred place they’d lost a century earlier.”
“I think people across the country have been inspired about what they have seen on the Elwha, and it has made them think big about what’s possible on their own river. Maybe it’s not dam removal, maybe it’s something else. But a river can be restored. I think that gives people hope,” says Amy Souers Kober of the nonprofit American Rivers in The Elwha’s Living Laboratory .
Where to hike
Madison Falls- an easy, short paved trail leads to beautiful falls. Picnic area.
Glines Dam Overlook- 7.5 mile round trip, via a closed road and bypass trail. The Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook features the remnants of the famously breached Glines Canyon Dam. Get trail updates from the Washington Trails Association.
More Elwha River hiking info from Olympic National Park
Directions for both trails
From Port Angeles, head west toward Forks on Hwy. 101. After 9 miles, turn left onto Olympic Hot Springs Road. Trailheads are at the roads end, about 2 miles from the Hwy. 101 turnoff.
Take beach walks, see birds
Washington’s newest beach at the mouth of the Elwha River was formed after tons of sediment flowed downriver after the breach. Seals appear at the river mouth when salmon are running in the fall. Great place to see eagles, too! Local surfing hangout. Fascinating year-round birding. For the latest sightings, check out E-Bird Elwha River mouth, Clallam County.
Directions
Take 101 West toward Forks. In 4 miles outside Port Angeles, turn on Hwy. 112 toward Joyce. Travel on Hwy. 112 for 2 miles, then turn right on Place Road. Follow Place Road 2 miles to its end at Elwha Dike Road. Small parking lot and outhouse.
Volunteer
Be part of one of the largest ecological restoration projects ever attempted! Habitat recovery continues. Several times a year you can sign up for stewardship opportunities to plant native trees or remove invasives. Check for opportunities with the Clallam Conservation District.
Learn more
The film Return of the River chronicles decades long activism by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, fishermen, environmental activists and shows how the community of Port Angeles, Washington, ultimately agreed that taking down the dam was a good thing, despite the impacts to some community services.
The Elwha’s Living Laboratory - Center for Biological Diversity
Olympic National Park Elwha River Restoration news
Indigenous history
Image: 2011 Ceremony to free the Elwha River
Righting historical wrongs
Tribes are leading the way to restore ecosystems - Yes Magazine