Habitat restoration continues on White Salmon River where 33 miles of spawning area has been formed after removal of Condit Dam
Restoring power: Yakama Nation dancer Moses Walsey with bald eagle headdress helped commemorate the removal of Condit Dam. Photo: Jurgenhessphotography
By Jurgen Hess. October 17, 2022. Unless you live in or around the Columbia River Gorge you may not have heard of the Condit Dam on Washington’s White Salmon River.
For a century, the 44-mile-long White Salmon had been blocked by the 125-foot PacifiCorp hydroelectric dam, located upstream from the town of Underwood.
On Oct. 26, 2011, contractors detonated charges opening a tunnel through the base of the dam. The opening emptied Northwestern Lake behind the dam and sent millions of gallons of water and tons of sediment downriver.
Engineers expected that upon breaching Condit Dam, the lake would drain in six hours. It drained in 30 minutes.
Pre-blast: Condit Dam created electricity and blocked fish migration on the White Salmon River. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Among other things, the event heralded a rebirth for anadromous fish populations in the White Salmon River watershed.
The dam’s removal was of particular importance to the local Yakama Nation.
On October 7, the Yakama Nation sponsored a celebration of the Condit Dam removal at Northwestern Park on the White Salmon River.
About 200 people attended, including tribal members (many in traditional dress), biologists, environmental activists and scientists.
Gathered on a flat about 500 feet from the river, proximity to the free-flowing water—on its way to join the Columbia River and journey to the Pacific Ocean—lent profound emotion to the event.
Free-flowing future
Yakama Nation Council member Tony Washines opened the event with a tribal prayer.
“It was a great blessing when the dam went out,” he said. “We retained our fishing rights to the White Salmon River under the 1855 Treaty.”
In all, 13 speakers represented the Yakama Nation, local government, PacifiCorp, U.S. Forest Service and citizens groups.
Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife Committee Chair Jeremy Takala: “Dam removal should be on the table.” Photo: Jurgenhessphotography
“Let’s not make it a salmon versus the dams scenario again. Dam removal should be on the table,” said Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife Committee Chair Jeremy Takala. “Salmon are our food source, people need to be mindful of the First People on this land. These are our ancestral lands.” [A previous version of this story misquoted Jeremy Takala in this section. “Whether the dams are removed or not, we want to keep pushing for an aggressive plan that restores salmon populations in the Columbia Basin,” Yakama Nation spokesperson Andrea Tulee tells Columbia Insight. —Editor]
“Children only have memories of a free-flowing river,” said White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler.
PacifiCorp’s Todd Olson was project leader for dam removal. He spoke about the worldwide interest in the project—representatives of 32 countries had watched online when the dam was blown.
“There were seven dams proposed on the White Salmon River all the way to the community of Trout Lake,” said Pat Arnold, Chair of Friends of the White Salmon River. “We fought them all. People have to respond to threats to the river. As you get involved in protection your heart grows, your soul grows.”
Significant controversy attended the removal of the dam, which had created a 92-acre reservoir known as Northwestern Lake.
Summer homes were built on the shoreline of the idyllic setting. Some homeowners sued to retain the dam in the lead up to the dam’s removal.
After PacifiCorp created a financial settlement, opposition evaporated.
“I really like the transition to a free-flowing river,” said one longtime homeowner, who attended the event. “The restoration work is wonderful. It’s good to see the new plants.”
Jeanette Burkhardt, Yakama Nation watershed planner, gave a tour of restored lands that were once the Northwest Lake bed.
Northwest passage: Removal of the dam opened the White Salmon River to more recreation. Photo: Wet Planet
Since the dam’s removal, her work has consisted of planting native vegetation on 2.8 acres.
Soil in the old lakebed lacked organic nutrients and was high in iron and acidic sulfur. Organic materials and mycorrhizal fungus were added to make the soil more fertile.
Five hundred volunteers planted 7,400 native plants. Irrigation wasn’t used.
The Yakama Nation restoration effort near Northwestern Park was funded by PacifiCorp and an EcoTrust grant.
Beaver nation: Habitat restoration in action. Photo: Jurgenhessphotography
Today, ponderosa pine, choke cherry, deer brush and native oak are growing well.
Black cottonwood trees have taken off closer to the riverbanks.
One cottonwood had clearly been felled by a beaver, another positive sign that habitat restoration efforts are succeeding.
Fish returns
The celebration was called a homecoming for anadromous fish, which were prevented from returning to their ancestral waters when Condit Dam was built in 1912.
Donella Miller of the Yakama Nation Fisheries: “With climate change fish need cool, clear water.” Photo: Jurgenhessphotography
Yakama fisheries managers Joe Zendt and Bill Sharp explained the success of dam removal for fish—33 miles of spawning/rearing areas and 15 miles of White Salmon drainage have been formed as new habitat for anadromous fish.
Chinook salmon, fall Tule salmon, coho salmon and steelhead especially are doing well.
U.S. Geological Survey fish biologists have found juvenile steelhead and coho in all tributaries upstream of the dam site.
Especially rewarding, rare Pacific lamprey have been seen above the former dam site.
Closing ceremony
After Yakama Nation and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs members performed hoop dances, Tony Washines closed the celebration with a prayer that included a traditional bell ringing.
At a baked salmon lunch, attendees spoke about the significance of the dam removal, pledging to return for the next anniversary to hear what the river has to say.
The Collins Foundation is a supporter of Columbia Insight’s Indigenous Issues series.
Hello, my name is Andrea Tulee and I am the Public Information Officer for the Yakama Nation. We would like to let you know about an error in this article that is located in a quote by Yakama Nation Councilman Jeremy Takala, “It’s salmon versus dams…”
The corrected saying was, “ Let’s not make it a Salmon versus the dams scenario again”…..
On a side note, whether the dams are removed or not, we want to keep pushing for an aggressive plan that restores salmon populations in the Columbia Basin. This is why we hope this can be changed to reflect our true sentiments on this subject. Other than that you did a great job covering this event. Thank you for your work on this.
Ever heard of “Fish ladders” ??? The removal of this hydroelectric dam WILL further reduce clean electrical energy production for the Northwest.
Solar panels and wind turbines will NEVER keep up with the demand for electricity !
People first. Birds, fish and animals second.
Condit initially had fish ladders, but they didn’t work. PacifiCorp made its decision to remove the dam based on costs. And that dam removal was best for fish restoration. It doesn’t have to be nature vs humans. We need nature to be human.
Well stated, Jurgen.
This is a great topic to explore – celebrating the removal of a dam! Dams can have a significant impact on the environment, so it’s important to recognize the positive effects that removing a dam can have. I think one great way to celebrate the removal of a dam is to organize a community event that brings people together to enjoy the newly restored natural environment. This could include a nature walk or hike, a picnic in the park, or even a group kayaking or canoeing trip on the newly flowing river. Another idea could be to invite local environmental experts or speakers to discuss the benefits of dam removal and answer any questions from community members.