ELWHA+RIVER+-+OLYMPIC+PENINSULA

RESTORING THE ELWHA RIVER

"Return of the River is a film about the largest dam removal project in the history of the United States. It is the story of a river unleashed after a century of impoundment, and the extraordinary community effort to set it free. What if you could wave a magic wand and restore an ecosystem? What if you could revive a dying river? In a world of grim news about the environment, the return of the Elwha River is a story to celebrate. If only it had been as easy as waving a wand."

- John Gussman, photographer and documentary film maker

http://www.elwhafilm.com/
 * Return of the River - A Documentary film in production. Written and filmed by John Gussman. Directed and edited by Jessica Plumb. Watch the trailer here.**

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1371070207/return-of-the-river
 * Learn how this project was funded**

Copy and paste the link below into the browser. Clicking on it does not seem to work. http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2012-03-26_rise_of_the_river__fall_of_the_dams
 * Sequim Gazette article about project - March 26, 2012**


 * A wide look at the Pacific Northwest. The bodies of water east of the Pacific Ocean (Strait of Juan De Fucs, Puget Sound and Georges Strait) are collectively known as the Salish Sea. The glaciated mountain range running north-south are the volcanic Cascades.** Notice the desert region to the east of the Cascades. To the west, the Olympic Mountains (not volcanic) are glaciated. The river valleys that carry snow melt westward to the Pacific are the only temperate rain forests in the United States. In these valleys, including the Hoh, rainfall can exceed 140 inches per year.




 * The Elwha River watershed covers much of the Olympic Peninsula. Meltwaters from the snowy Olympic Mountains are carried by many tributaries to the Elwha River, which empties into the Strait of Juan De Fuca.**




 * Notice the two dams on the relief map below. One is gone and the other will be by next**


 * Below is an aerial view of the Elwha Dam and the lake it created - Lake Aldwell.**


 * The Glines Canyon Dam formed Lake Mills. Notice the delta on the southern end of the lake**.




 * OTHER RESOURCES**

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5120/seaLife/
 * Sea Life of the Elwha nearshore**

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-the-elwha.htm

http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/restorationoftheelwha.htm

http://www.video-monitoring.com/construction/olympic/js.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/110923-elwha-dam-removal/

http://www.dcproductions.com/112/
 * PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN GUSSMAN**

Time lapse of Hurricane Ridge @http://www.dcproductions.com/tl/ Attack of the Drones http://www.elwhafilm.com/drone/