Olympic National Park, in close collaboration with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will offer a limited number of public tours into the Elwha Dam powerhouse on four Saturdays in April and May.
“We’re thankful to our Reclamation partners for working with us to allow a rare opportunity for members of the public to see the inside of a working hydropower plant on the Elwha River,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. “The plant is still operating, so tours must be limited for safety and security reasons.”
These special tours will allow members of the public an opportunity to view the interior of the historic Elwha powerhouse before it is decommissioned this summer. Contractors will begin removing both the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams this September, marking a major milestone in Elwha River Restoration.
A total of eight tours, each limited to ten participants, will be offered on the following Saturdays: April 23, April 30, May 7 and May 21. Tours will begin at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
In accordance with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation security procedures, participants must be United States citizens. Valid identification such as a driver’s license or state identification card must be presented prior to entering the powerhouse.
Tour participants must be 12 years or older; children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Participants must be in good physical condition and capable of climbing more than 100 steep steps. Good walking shoes are a necessity; sandals or high heels will not be permitted on powerhouse tours. The tour route is extremely strenuous; as the steps into and within the powerhouse are unusually steep and narrow.
The Elwha powerplant is an active, operating facility; inherent risks associated with an industrial environment include loud equipment, high voltage and high water pressure. Hard hats and earplugs will be provided to all participants for use during the tours. Photography is authorized and encouraged, however participants should note that other items including backpacks, camera bags and water bottles are not allowed inside the powerhouse.
Reservations are required and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning on Monday, April 18. A maximum of four people may be reserved per visitor group. People interested in making reservations should call the Olympic National Park’s public affairs office at 360-565-2985.
One hundred years ago, entrepreneur Thomas Aldwell saw the Elwha River’s raw, natural energy and sought to harness it. After obtaining investors, he formed the Olympic Power Company and began building a dam five miles upstream of the river’s mouth. The Elwha Dam became operational in 1913, providing power to developing communities around the Olympic Peninsula. Growing demand led to the decision to build another hydropower project and by 1927, Glines Canyon Dam was built eight miles upstream. Both dams were built without methods of fish passage.
The Bureau of Reclamation has operated the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams since they were purchased by the United States in 2000. Both dams will be removed beginning this September in what will be the largest dam removal in U.S. history.
Removing the dams will free the Elwha River after 100 years, and allow five species of Pacific salmon and other anadromous fish to return to more than 70 miles of river and stream, most of which is protected within Olympic National Park. The restored river and returning salmon will renew the culture of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, who have lived along the river since time immemorial.
For more information on Elwha River Restoration, people may visit the Olympic National Park website at www.nps.gov/olym or find Elwha River Restoration on Facebook.
