August 12, 2013 Elwha River restored.

In 1910 a dam was installed on the lower Elwha River to generate power and Lake Aldwell was formed.  In spite of the law, they failed to provide for fish passage.  This ends salmon spawning in the river.  In 1925 another dam was installed on the upper Elwha to generate more power.  In   1938 the Olympic National Park was established.

In 1992 the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act was signed; the dams will be removed and the river returned to its natural state.  The lower dam and powerhouse are now gone and Lake Aldwell is drained.  We hiked down to this site and were amazed.  Spoke to a ranger and they are seeing salmon spawning way upstream now.  The upper dam is being removed and Lake Mills being drained, but they are going slowly with it because of silting issues.

River man!

Not sure if you can make this out, but there were 2 dams on the Elwha River:
The lower dam has been removed, and Lake Aldwell drained;  we visited this site.
The upper dam is being removed now, and the area is closed as they gradually drain Lake Mills.

How it looked when they were installing the lower dam, 1910-1913.

Where the lower dam & powerhouse WERE.  (downstream side)

River running free thru it's canyon once again....  (upstream side)