Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Dams exacerbate flood threat

For decades, the two dams on the Elwha River have held back sand and sediment needed to replenish the beaches at the river's mouth. Without a regular influx of sediment, the beaches have been eroding putting waterfront residents at risk of flooding.

With western Washington now in its 24th consecutive day of rain, storm damage and flooding are a concern.

But as this article from the Peninsula Daily News (1-6-06) states:

"Even if federal authorities come through with flood-control devices, they'd only slow down the Strait's incursion into the reservation. Only removing the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams on the river will allow it to replenish the beach and perhaps rebuild Angeles Point."