The Hemlock Dam Removal Story - Columbia Basin Restoration

Hemlock Dam was built in the Great Depression to provide water for a work camp in the area. The dam was build on Trout Creek, a tributary of the Wind River, in the Columbia River Gorge.

The dam was removed in the summer of 2009 and over 12 miles of upstream habitat was restored for Columbia River Steelhead. The Forest Service worked with local contractors, conservation groups, the Bonneville Power Administration, federal agencies and native tribes to secure funding for the dam removal and complete this ambitious restoration project.

The Crag Law Center worked with the Gifford Pinchot Task Force to ensure that the project moved forward smoothly. Crag intervened in a challenge to the water quality certification for the project and contended that the Washington Department of Ecology had complied with federal law in approving the dam removal.

This 10 minute version of the film is an edited version of the full-feature length 23-minute version of the film which is available directly from the Crag Law Center. Contact Ralph Bloemers at 503.525.2727 to obtain a copy of the feature length or look for it to appear in various film festivals across the country.

Copyright 2010 HydroPower Reform Coalition

Directed by: Sam Drevo and Ralph Bloemers
Produced by: Ralph Bloemers

Category:

Education

Tags:

• dam removal
• restoration
• columbia river gorge
• steelhead
• habitat
• native fish
• rivers
• clean water
• environment
• forest service
• pacific northwest
• old growth forests
• mt. st. helens
• native peoples