Science of Elwha

Last weekend, I was able to visit the Elwha River to view the Elwha and Glines Canyon dam removal and restoration projects with my Conservation of Biological Diversity Class. What a treat! This is a photo taken on the Lake Mills reservoir bed of my professor and class mates. The sun kissed our cheeks intermittently making for a wonderful day in the field. We were measuring large woody debris (aka- really big logs) on the reservoir bed for a researcher tracking the movement of the debris to learn how quickly it travels and how it builds up to make pools and other features. The dam removal project is the largest in North America, began last September and is scheduled to take another 2 years. Once the project is complete, 70+ miles of pristine salmon habitat will be accessible for the first time in a century.