The Elwha River Dams have shut down their electric turbins as of the 1st of June, 2011, and the word is that contractors will start ripping out the dams this September.  The dams have produced electricity for homes and businesses in the Clallam County area for almost a century.  Three turbine generators  have been shut down, two on the Elwha Dam and one on the Glines Canyon Dam.  Tearing down the dams to restore Salmon habitat has been a discussion that extends back a decade or more.  There’s been a lot of controversy about whether removing the dams is the answer to environmental concerns for the wildlife and fish habitat.  We won’t really know for decades.

Elwha River Dams

The implications of tearing out the dams remains to be seen as far as effecting the chain of animal life and vegetation, but we do know how it will effect real estate.  Homes along the lower Elwha River will not be effected as the drainage plan will not cause flooding or raise water levels to threaten any homes on or near the Elwha River.

Above the dames on the lakes that have been in place for almost a hundred years, there are no homes or private property.  Where there are homes on the lower Elwha River, this is and will continue to be a beautiful area, although for some retirees it is too far out of town.  The Elwha River  is about a 10 minute drive where it crosses Highway 101 west of Port Angeles.

Homes rarely come up for sale on the Elwha River, but you can view homes in the Elwha River area on this site:  Port Angeles Homes For Sale.

Elwha River is Rugged and Beautiful

The Elwha River area is rugged and beautiful, and if you’re going to drive around and get familiar with the area, I recommend seeing the Elwha River.

Last Updated on September 4, 2011 by Chuck Marunde