The Removal of Savage Rapids Dam

The Savage Rapids Dam built by the Grants Pass irrigation District in 1921 was designed to deliver Rogue River water to the fields of local farmers; It did not offer water retention, electrical creation, or flood control. Because the age of the dam was leading to costly replacement issues and its disruption of adult and juvenile fish passage caused local leaders to consider its removal. Irrigation was to be continued with the building of a modern pumping plant. After a 20 year court and legislation battle the parties agreed to remove the dam and build the pumping facility.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Savage Rapids Dam
• Dam Removal
• Salmon
• Rogue River
• Southern Oregon
• Sport Fishing
• Irrigation
• Coho
• Rafting

[dudkhalia]

There are lots of way to produce renewable energy, from wind, solar, hydrogen and hydrokinetic... dams are absolete, dangerous and only creates damages and corruption, but no jobs!

[GarbageStrike]

@kerbyjackson - I believe its called lame royalty free stock music guitar song number 564.

[AGDemo]

No Dam = Less Jobs! :-(

[SalmonSlayer1991]

@rockinpiano1 at 1:11 it states that this damn dam doesnt control water levels cant store water cant slow flood waters the only purpose it was constructed was for irrigations thus the removal f this dam doesnt change a single thing other then greater access to habitat and more natrual flow patterns

[rockinpiano1]

I don't understand removing this dam or the Gold Hill dam so close to the Lost Creek dam. Are we going to remove Lost Creek dam, too? Now instead of gravity flow irrigation you have to use electricity to pump water and the pumps are already having problems with silt. Wait until we get another 1964 type flood, people will be clamoring for more dams. Same thing goes for the Klamath River. Folks have a very short memory about how much rain/snow can fall in Southern Oregon in a short time.

[kerbyjackson]

What's the piece of music at 7:15?

[casienwhey]

great accomplishment

[juliekaynorman]

Great video!  Five stars for sure.