Removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams (Hydropower)

Described in some circles as North America’s largest ever dam removal project, the controlled deconstruction of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams has been in the works since Congress agreed in 1992 to full restoration of the Elwha River ecosystem and native anadromous fisheries through the removal of the 108-foot-tall Elwha Dam and 210-foot-tall Glines Canyon Dam and their respective powerhouses. The removal of the dams and power generation facilities increased spawning habitat on the Elwha River from 5 miles to over 70 miles available for the five species of salmon to spawn.

Set within and on the edge of a pristine national park, the powerhouses operating at the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams required careful removal. Knowledge of powerhouse construction and operation helped our crews successfully dismantle Elwha Dam’s concrete powerhouse and its four hydro-turbine generators, transformers, switchgear, penstocks, and a surge tower in addition to the dam. At Glines Canyon Dam, the team deconstructed and removed another concrete powerhouse with one hydro-turbine generator, transformers switchgear, a steel penstock and a 130-foot-tall surge tower in addition to our work removing the concrete arch dam.

Removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams (Hydropower)