Elwha River Restoration: Ranney Reach

The historic removal of two hydroelectric dams on the Elwha river returned not only upstream access for fish, but restored natural processes that support salmon habitat in the lower river, such as the downstream transport of sediments and large woody debris. 

Yet, other historic disturbances still limit the restoration of critical salmon spawning and rearing (for juvenile fish) habitat in the formerly productive lower reaches of the river.  To further salmon habitat restoration in this reach, The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's Habitat Restoration  program  worked with Natural Systems Design engineers  to install engineered log jams designed to manage Westward channel migration caused by infrastructure and to reactivate important floodplain habitat compromised by river channelization.

 

Visit the Elwha River Ecosystem Recovery Resource Hub  webpage for additional information about the Elwha River dam removal and ongoing restoration efforts, including research publications, media links, and more!