Rising from the Ashes

179,016

3,571 0

Published 2020-04-17

Less than six years ago, the second of two dams on the Elwha River, on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, was taken out to provide access for fish to the upper river located in the Olympic National Park. Since then, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation of the river – and of the wildlife that depend on it. Before the dams were installed in the early 1900s, the Elwha produced consistent and robust runs of salmon and steelhead and was a productive fishery. Afterwards, these runs dwindled almost to nothing. In fact, the river’s summer run of steelhead was almost extirpated. But taking out the dams paid immediate dividends for salmon and steelhead, which are now being found throughout the watershed. And summer steelhead, in particular, have staged an amazing comeback. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, summer steelhead have repopulated the Elwha in numbers unthinkable a few years ago. This film, from renowned filmmaker Shane Anderson, documents the return of summer steelhead to the Elwha, some of the key players who are studying the recovery of salmon and steelhead in this river, and what the Elwha’s recovery can tell us about large-scale river restoration projects in other places.

Join Wild Steelheaders United at www.wildsteelheaders.org/join-us/

or Donate gifts.tu.org/donate/wild-steelhead

All Comments (21)

@berryelectronics 4 years ago

Who else came here after watching " Undamming the Elwha, the documentary" This was a great follow up. Thank you!!
@WilliamKiene-yg7rq 2 months ago

I believe that before all the dams we had lots of Summer Steelhead in Nor Cal, OR, WA and BC. Now at 79, taking down many dams, all around the World, makes me very happy.
@antonybanks9865 3 years ago

All the people involved in this project should be so proud of the work you have done.
@johnfrench9608 2 years ago

Everyone involved should feel immensely proud. What a beautiful river 😍
@gschaaf713 4 years ago

Nice to see people nurturing our planet instead of exploiting its resources. this is the highest value work. thank you for your service.
@zachb8012 2 years ago

I visited the estuary of the Elwha in August of 2021 and I ended up watching this video because it stuck with me as one of the most wonderful and awe-inspiring places I have ever been. There were juvenile salmon leaping from the water, where hundreds of gulls were being hunted by bald eagles and out at sea we saw a pod of porpoises. As if to put the icing on the cake of this ecological wonder one of the cleanest surf breaks I've ever seen now graces the bay. Earth's rivers are a magical gift and truly the best reason to love and appreciate the splendor of our natural world. There is always hope, so long as we never forget where we came from.
@jaimec1489 2 years ago

Beautiful video! I’ve watched it 3 times - a wonderful story of nature bouncing back after human interference. So much hope! Thank you for sharing.🐟💪🏻
@jackwright485 2 years ago

I consider the Elwha my "home water". I fly fished the upper river every September until it closed for fish recovery post dam removal. Supposedly it is scheduled to reopen this fall, but I don't know if I can fish it again, especially after watching this film - I find myself feeling that I respect the fish too much. I still remember the first Elwha rainbow that I caught (on a size 14 Elk Hair Caddis) in the upper river many years ago, and saying to myself "this is something special, this is not your typical rainbow trout". I have revisited the upper river during the fishing closure, and it remains my favorite river valley in Olympic National Park. I took my wife there a couple of years ago, and she understands why I want to have my ashes spread in the upper Elwha valley when the times comes. Thanks for the film - I recognized all of the locations.
@lag9765 11 months ago

Thank you for all that you do....
@jeromedamian5740 1 year ago

Thanks to all that helped and that have supported that project to happen. A remarkable experience for the future of that fisheries. I have watched over the years as are salmon population decline in significant numbers and size ,since the 80s. Im in the noth central California area, not to far from Yosemite. All major rivers are as follows, Mokelumne Stanislaus Tuolumne and the Merced River all of which have had a impact in numbers . I have witnessed the growth and population of housing and agriculture in and around these rivers along with the many years of drought in California that have all taken its toll on the fisheries. I remember so many solmon in these rivers that when you walked into them you would get bummed or push out of the way by moving fish , some of which hit the 30lb plus size . Today your lucky to see 15 in a river system with a dramatic decline in size. Its such a difficult issue because people only think about their own needs for water and crops. Your story is very important and ill share it with people that care.
@jamesdavis8771 4 years ago

Dude this was absolutely soothing to my sole! Restore our fisheries! Thank God!
@johnmedina5399 10 months ago

Such a beautiful river system and hope they do an update video. This river is the poster child for the benefits of dam removal. Those under water shots were amazing great video.
@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372 2 years ago

I do love mother nature. Thank you mother 🌎
@adamsmith8533 4 years ago

I live outside of Buffalo NY and most likely will never see that river but it warms my heart to see such a wonderful success story. Thank you all for your hard work. You should be very proud. Nature will find a way if we let her!
@dwaynekoblitz6032 4 years ago

I’ve been following this ongoing story since dam removal. My goosebumps started around the one minute mark and only intensified as it went on. Such a remarkable story of what nature will do if man will just get out of the way. ❤️
@fishingbeyond8435 4 years ago

Steelhead now, steelhead forever!
@axeman4542 4 years ago

I visited the Elwha in 1987 on my honeymoon. To see the progress made with the dam removal gives me so much joy, and hope for similar results when the Klamath dams come down. Great work TU and all associated organizations, and a fine film from Shane as always.
@suezylproctor 4 years ago

I was so happy to see the dams come down. I did not hold my breath waiting for the fish to come back. If we leave nature alone, it finds its way. What a beautiful success story - thank you all for what you are doing.
@felipericketts 2 years ago

Gives me joy and hope for the future and all those that will follow. Thanks for this great story!
@dynamo2169 1 year ago

As a member of trout unlimited and supporter of dam removals this was a cool video to watch. There is debate and hopeful progress to be made in my native state of Maine concerning removing dams to foster Atlantic salmon return. Really enjoyed the video!