Outdoors Notebook | Dam removals will bring fish back to Elwha river

Back in the early 1900s, the Elwha River on the North Olympic Peninsula used to have a gene of chinook salmon that pushed the scale to 100 pounds.

In those days, anglers were lured to places like Neah Bay, Sekiu and Pillar Point clear into Port Angeles in hopes of catching these monster-sized kings.

Then in 1913, this once unblemished river that hosted all five salmon species and steelhead was blocked by the first of two hydroelectric dams, forever clogging fish migration to the upper 38 miles of mainstem and more than 30 miles of tributary habitat.

While those heavyweight king salmon have long since disappeared, fisheries biologist estimate that a small group of migrating wild fish still return to the base of the dam annually.

Possibly in the near future some of those once majestic fish runs could see a comeback as the removal of the 108-foot Elwha Dam and the 210-foot Glines Canyon Dam will begin no later than 2011.

The takedown of the two dams is due in part to $54 million in federal economic recovery funds that American Rivers, one of the nation's leading conservation groups, advocated for.

Originally the work was scheduled to begin in 2012. The funds will go toward preliminary activities necessary to prepare for dam removal.

"Using economic recovery dollars to restore a free-flowing Elwha River is a win-win for the river, salmon, and local communities," Brett Swift, Northwest regional director of American Rivers said in a news release. "The project will create jobs, restore salmon and steelhead to some of the best habitat anywhere, and create an unprecedented opportunity to study the science of river restoration."

The two dams didn't have fish ladders, which prevented salmon and steelhead from migrating upriver to spawn. Eighty-three percent of the Elwha River lies within the Olympic National Park.

The removal of the dams that were built to provide hydroelectric power to Port Angeles will be the largest such removal in the nation's history.

Federal, state, and local leaders advocated for dam removal, and securing the funding to speed it up after years of delay. Dam removal was first authorized by Congress in 1992.

"We would not be where we are today without the vision and leadership of Representative [Norm] Dicks, Governor [Christine] Gregoire, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the National Park Service, the Department of Ecology, the Puget Sound Partnership, and many others," said Swift.

Hopes are to have fish run recovery in the Elwha River by 2030.

"This announcement literally starts off the effort to restore Puget Sound with a bang," said Swift.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $308 million.

Notes

• It looks like coastal razor clam diggers will get another chance next weekend. If marine toxin tests are below the cutoff threshold, then Long Beach and Twin Harbors will open May 9-10, while Copalis and Mocrocks will open Saturday only. Digging is allowed until noon each day. Final approval will be announced sometime this week.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for volunteers to help with the Environmental Explorations event May 20 at the Johnson Property in Belfair. The all-day education program hosts about 170 students from Hawkins Middle School. Details: 360-275-3575.

• The Washington Trails Association is hosting a Hiking with Children Workshops 6:30 p.m. May 6 at the Everett Public Library; 4 p.m. May 16 at the Ballard Public Library; and 6:30 p.m. May 20 at the Queen Anne Public Library. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Bellevue Orvis Store is hosting the Spring Orvis Days Events. Next: May 9, 1 p.m., Antique Fly Fishing Show and Appraisal, plus seminar titled Fly Fishing Hidden Montana; Spey Casting to Kings; and a Beginning Fly Casting and Computer Analysis; and May 10, 1 p.m., Fly Casting Analysis for intermediate and advance fly casters. Details: 425-452-9138 or www.orvis.com.

• Join in celebrating the International Migratory Bird Day, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. May 9 at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Events include bird walks, native plant walk, displays, kids' activities, a family bird walk, and scopes for viewing of the active Osprey nest. Details: 425-822-8580 or www.eastsideaudubon.org.

• The Metropolitan King County Council is hosting a town-hall meeting to discuss the future of the Mountains to Sound Greenway 6 p.m. May 6 at the South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way. Panelists include Bill Chapman, Doug McClelland, Elizabeth Lunney, Doug Schindler and Jim Reinhardsen. Details: 206-382-5565 or www.mtsgreenway.org.

• The Washington Butterfly Association is hosting a free presentation 7 p.m. May 6 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle titled: "Monarch Journeys South, Mexican Wintering Grounds," by photographer Denny Granstrand. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• Come join Ambrose Bittner, lead organizer and owner of Red Lantern Journeys for an adventure of stories and photographs of Katmandu, Nepal, and the Mitrata Orphanage, 7 p.m. May 20 at the Alderwood REI store.

Also come learn about the Red Lantern Journeys benefit called The Climb for Himalaya Children at Mount Rainier, July 17-19, for the Mitrata Orphanage in Katmandu, Nepal. All proceeds for the climb go directly to the orphanage. The climber who raises the most money will be awarded a free trekking trip to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Details: www.mitrata.org.

• Michael Martin at the Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way is conducting an Introduction to Fly-Fishing the Lakes and An Introduction to Fly-Fishing the Rivers. Cost is $100 for the lakes class, and $55 for the steam class. For specific dates of the classes please contact the store. Details: 253-835-4100.

• The Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 13 at Kristalls Restaurant in Leavenworth. Mike Beagle who works with sportsmen on public lands issues in Oregon and Washington is the guest speaker. Details: www.icicletrout.org.

• Don Langlois with Ridge Explorations is hosting a Washington State Boater Education Class, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 16 at the Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley; and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 13 at the Enumclaw Expo Fieldhouse. Cost is $49. Details: 360-663-2343 or www.RidgeExplorations.com.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for new members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Seattle Tennis Club. Please RSVP to attend meetings. Details: www.WFFC.com.

• The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is hosts various Fishing Kids events throughout the state. During each event, about 500 kids will get a chance to fish, and go home with a T-shirt, rod and reel, and maybe a fish or two. Cost is $5.

Each child should arrive 30 minutes before their assigned time. Kids will listen to a short talk on water safety, and volunteers will show them how to bait the hook and use the rod and reel before they start fishing.

Next is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 16 at Seward Park on Lake Washington in South Seattle. Preregistration is required. Details: 425-251-3202 or 206-684-4075 or www.castforkids.org.

• The campgrounds at Fort Flagler State Park will remain closed until May 13 while scheduled capital improvement projects are completed. All other facilities will remain open during construction, including the retreat center, watercraft launch sites, moorage, trails and the day-use areas. Camping is available at nearby Fort Worden, Old Fort Townsend and Sequim Bay state parks. Details: www.parks.wa.gov.

• The Mount St. Helens Institute offers a free Sunday Hiking Program series of 14 hikes in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now through Oct. 25. The hikes range from east to difficult, and are 4 to 10 miles round-trip. Space is limited and reservations are required. While the hikes are free a $5 donation is suggested. Details: www.mshinstitute.org.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offers various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th S.W. in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com