Elwha River Ecosystem Restoration Breaks Ground

Miles west of Port Angeles, Wash., dignitaries and project and community members joined members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Olympic National Park as they celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe fish hatchery. As part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funded ecosystem restoration project, the hatchery is the first step in the 5-year project, which will include the nation’s largest dam removal to date.

PBS&J is providing construction management services for the new fish hatchery. The $16-million, 16-month construction project will include water supply and drainage pipelines; water supply wells; two buildings; fish culture facilities including raceways, ponds and adult holding ponds; a fish ladder; and related mechanical and electrical systems. Improvements to the site access road and construction of a flood protection levee near the existing Elwha water facilities will also be included.

Once complete, the hatchery will help maintain existing fish stocks during dam removal, and ultimately help to restore salmon levels by producing coho, pink and chum, as well as steelhead stocks.

The groundbreaking ceremony began with remarks by several tribal council members, governmental dignitaries, Park Service representatives and project participants--who then plunged shovels into the ground, officially kicking off the project.

The festivities continued with a luncheon, hosted by the tribe, during which attendees were treated to a series of tribal drum-led chants, readings and presentations of salmon-themed gifts.

Source: PBS&J