Coastal Services Center

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Environmental Characterizations: Elwha Watershed Information Resource

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Overview

The Elwha Watershed Information Resource integrates ecological and socioeconomic information for managing the watershed after the removal of two dams in 2009. The characterization will describe the physical environment, biological and human communities, and management issues associated with removing two large dams. This information resource will provide a clearinghouse of spatial data and other information describing past and current conditions in the Elwha Watershed. The Web site will include these features:

• Baseline data, information, and analysis of biological and physical elements (including fisheries)
• Baseline socioeconomic assessment
• Cultural overview of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
• History and information on the Elwha dams, the dam removal, and the role that river restoration has in the dam removal process
• Spatial data clearinghouse and regional maps

The project focuses on the Elwha Watershed and its connection to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

Background

Two dams constructed on the Elwha River have blocked the passage of anadromous fish since 1911. The National Park Service (NPS) is leading a federal effort to remove these dams (the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams on the Elwha River), with removal projected to start in 2009. The Elwha Watershed Information Resource will be published as an Internet Web site to support the management and recovery of the Elwha Watershed after dam removal. This project is intended to support and complement ongoing activities by project partners.

Partners

The Elwha Watershed Information Resource is being developed by the University of Idaho through a cooperative agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center and in partnership with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Other key partners include the Elwha Research Consortium, NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Olympic National Park, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey, and Peninsula College.

If you are interested in providing data and information for the Web site or learning more about the Elwha Project, please contact Chris Peery at (208) 885-7223 or Tami Clabough at (208) 885-6400 at the University of Idaho Fish Ecology Research Laboratory.

Status

The Elwha project is currently under development. The project began in the summer of 2005, and the completed Web site will be available in October 2007.

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