". . . the U.S. was on a tear to build dams in the last century, at the rate of four a day from 1930 to 1970. But if the 20th century was the era of dam building, the 21st century is looking to be the era of selective unbuilding."
-
Happy National Apple Day! 🍎
The Klamath River and other U.S. dams removed in 2023
- Thread starter Glenn MacGrady
- Start date
". . . the U.S. was on a tear to build dams in the last century, at the rate of four a day from 1930 to 1970. But if the 20th century was the era of dam building, the 21st century is looking to be the era of selective unbuilding."
I spent a lot of my career working on water resources projects, dams, wetlands, irrigation, and agriculture. I used to go in offices for the US Bureau of Reclamation or the Army Corps of Engineers. There were large offices dedicated to dam building and dam maintenance and dam management. There were a handful of environmental people. Now the roles have reversed, lots of environmental people and a few engineers.
Most dams are politically motivated. They benefit fewer people than the government has led us to believe. Dams destroy fisheries and wildlife habitat. The water impounded behind them loses a lot of volume to evaporation. Water is best stored in natural floodplains and the ground. The government's thinking has changed greatly.
Four dams are coming out on the Klamath River which will greatly benefit the fisheries, especially salmon and steelhead. The mighty Klamath is the second largest river in California. I have run different sections 3 times. Last June we started below Iron Gate Dam in drift boats. After the big snow year the flow was pretty high. We got overwhelmed by the amount of Class III+ rapids in succession. It is a beautiful river and it is expected to quickly flush out the sediment that has accumulated behind the dams. A major success story with more to come.
Most dams are politically motivated. They benefit fewer people than the government has led us to believe. Dams destroy fisheries and wildlife habitat. The water impounded behind them loses a lot of volume to evaporation. Water is best stored in natural floodplains and the ground. The government's thinking has changed greatly.
Four dams are coming out on the Klamath River which will greatly benefit the fisheries, especially salmon and steelhead. The mighty Klamath is the second largest river in California. I have run different sections 3 times. Last June we started below Iron Gate Dam in drift boats. After the big snow year the flow was pretty high. We got overwhelmed by the amount of Class III+ rapids in succession. It is a beautiful river and it is expected to quickly flush out the sediment that has accumulated behind the dams. A major success story with more to come.
I like what I'm seeing post removal of dams so far. It's interesting and encouraging to see spawning runs return.View attachment 143729
". . . the U.S. was on a tear to build dams in the last century, at the rate of four a day from 1930 to 1970. But if the 20th century was the era of dam building, the 21st century is looking to be the era of selective unbuilding."
Glenn, one star on that map caught my attention right away, as it sits alone in a corner of Idaho that's I'm familiar and fond of. I wasn't aware that the Cove dam on the Bear River was removed in 2006. I have a lot of good "pre-canoe" memories of the Bear Rover and its drainage. Now I need to pay a visit next year and see what's changed. Here's an article about that....
Cove Dam P-20 | Hydropower Reform Coalition
hydroreform.org
Review the history of the Elwa River dam removal in Washington.
