Thursday
Apr192012
Undamming the Elwha
Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 12:03AM The KCTS 9/EarthFix original documentary Undamming the Elwha follows the journey of the Elwha River from the day it was dammed to the day it was set free once again.
Reader Comments (4)
How can you do a documentary on the Elwha, and not address the fact that it was once home to some of the largest chinook salmon on the planet; fish of over 100 lbs. Did I just miss it?
I'm always amazed when people leave that out; not exactly a small detail.
Hatchery fish giving the system a "life boost"......
Are you all haters?
This was a good film. A couple inaccuracies, which is to be expected. I watched it from start to finish and found it very touching when the first nations saw the removal of the dam.
And on hatchery fish. Most likely not best for the system, but it is going to happen. Hatchery = jobs. Jobs dictate public policy.
Get over it.
"A couple of inaccuacies which is to be expected " Really.
The major, and for many unforgivable, inaccuracy is the acceptance that hatchery intervention is needed. The idea that hatchery influences can be turned on and off like a spigot to alleviate a "temporary" condition is ludicrous. Is there any historical example of hatcery vs. wild steelhead interactions that did not do irrevocable harm to the wild population ?
Its not wrong to show sympathy for those who made the best choices they were capable of in the context of their time. However, it is inexcusible to make a choice for hatchery fish on the Elwha in the context of what we know about fisheries today.
The Elwha deserves better from us