The Bonneville Dam, which spans the Columbia River between the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington, has affected fish populations, but now organizations are attempting to lessen its impact on the environment.
The winds its way through the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
The river was once full of wild rapids and strong populations.
Now, the 1,954-kilometer (1,214-mile) river is much calmer. Bridges seem to have tamed it, like saddles on horses. More importantly, a series of has chopped the once mighty Columbia into a series of peaceful . Water passing through the blades of the dams generates power.
The first major artificial change to the Columbia River occurred in 1938 with the completion of the . The Bonneville Dam is actually a series of several dams. They link Oregon and Washington. Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Bonneville Dam was built for two reasons. One was to provide residents of the Pacific Northwest with . The other was to make the waterway easier for boats to navigate.
Power-Producing Dams
Other dams were built along the course of the Columbia, including the huge in Washington. It is the largest structure in the United States. Currently, there are 14 major dams on the main stem of the Columbia River.
The dams on the Columbia generate about 50 percent to 65 percent of the area's electricity. They produce that power using less and than other power generators. The dams also make it possible for boats to travel 750 kilometers (465 miles) up the Columbia River, from the Pacific Ocean all the way to Lewiston, Idaho.
Salmon Runs
The dams have made trouble for the river's , especially the Columbia's salmon. Jeff Hickman is a former organizer for the , an environmental organization. He says the area was once very healthy. "It had the largest population of fish on the planet," Hickman says.
The Columbia was once a fast-moving waterway, but the dams broke it into a handful of reservoirs with slower currents and warmer water. Hickman says the warmer temperature puts more stress on migrating fish. It also creates a more suitable environment for predators that eat those fish.
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is an organization that represents the region's population. Bob Heinith is their water program coordinator. According to Heinith, the dams have destroyed fish . He says dams have cut off access to areas, which has destroyed about two-thirds of the overall habitat for fish.
Fish ladders were constructed at many of the dams. These allow adult salmon to the dams and continue upstream to lay eggs. The fish ladders are like steps that water flows down. They create a series of shallow . Dams are often impossible for fish to pass. The salmon are able to get upstream using these fish ladders, though.
Once the fish are born upstream, they have to head back to the ocean. The has tried to assist the young fishes' journey downstream in a few ways. The dams' blades have been redesigned so that they are less dangerous to fish passing through. They also added a path that allows the fish to swim around the blades entirely.
A process known as seems to help the fish, too. During salmon migrations, water is spilled over the dams to the river's former flow. The dams generate less power, but this approach is better for the fish.
Over the last few years, a new problem has emerged.
Sea lions have learned that they can travel from the Pacific Ocean up the Columbia River. At the of Bonneville Dam, they can feast on the salmon that there. To deal with the problem, the U.S. and the states of Washington and Oregon scare away the animals with and . The states have even begun the questionable process of putting to sleep repeat offenders.
The Sierra Club notes that the Bonneville Power Administration's efforts have yielded some results. They wonder, though, if the dams are worth all the extra time and money.
"There's no doubt it's helping, but you have to weigh out the costs," Hickman says.
Fast Fact
Fish Cam See what fish are swimming through the Bonneville Dam. The Bonneville Dam Fish Camera updates with a new photo every 20 seconds.
Fast Fact
River Writer During the 1930s, American singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie was hired by the Bonneville Power Administration to write songs promoting the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. During the month-long job, he penned classics including "Roll On Columbia," "Grand Coulee Dam," and "Pastures of Plenty."
The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.
Writer
Stuart Thornton
Editors
Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing, Emdash Editing
Kara West
Producer
National Geographic Society
other
Last Updated
October 19, 2023
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