Images

This Sept. 26, 2012 image from a USGS unmanned aircraft shows the demolition of Glines Dam and Lake Mills on the Elwha River in Olympic National Park, Wash. 

USGS research ecologist Jeff Duda collects discharge data on a side channel of the Elwha River. Two large dams on the Elwha River are being incrementally removed from 2011 to 2013 to restore river function in an important salmon-bearing river.

The turbid waters of the Elwha River and the coastal waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca mix directly offshore of the river mouth, forming a large coastal plume.  This plume is easily identified by the cloudiness of the water (or "turbidity") resulting from sediment discharged by the river.  Two large dams on the Elwha River were incrementally r

The turbid waters of the Elwha River and the coastal waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca mix directly offshore of the river mouth, forming a large coastal plume.  This plume is easily identified by the cloudiness of the water (or "turbidity") resulting from sediment discharged by the river.  Two large dams on the Elwha River are being incrementally r

USGS researchers Chris Curran and Raegan Huffman retrieve instrumentation to measure sediment concentration from the Elwha River, Washington. Two large dams on the Elwha River are being incrementally removed from 2011 to 2013 to restore river function in an important salmon-bearing river.

USGS hydrologic technician James Foreman operates an electronic deployment reel from a bridge over the Elwha River, Washington. Two large dams on the Elwha River are being incrementally removed from 2011 to 2013 to restore river function in an important salmon-bearing river.

River otters in Olympic National Park trigger a movement-activated camera without activating the wire mesh box trap (left) used by scientists to capture the animals to attach radio transmitters and monitor their movements.

USGS divers Steve Rubin and Reg Reisenbichler laying out a survey transect. Completing his 12th dive at the site in 2023, Rubin has been conducting dive surveys around the mouth of the Elwha River for over a decade as part of an evaluation of ecosystem health and recovery since the Elwha dams were breached in 2011.

Beautiful River with Mount Rainier in the background

USGS divers Steve Rubin and Reg Reisenbichler laying out a survey transect in the Elwha River in northern Washington.

After floods, USGS scientists use indirect indicators to determine the extent and height of flooding. Debris caught on trees and fences is one such indicator.

A USGS Technician attaches a high water marker to a tree. Debris wedged on the tree indicates the height that flood waters reached. A comprehensive survey of these markers allows scientists to determine the size of floods. 

The canoe, "Salmon Dancer," is launched in preparation for leaving on a tribal journey

The canoe, "Salmon Dancer," is launched in preparation for leaving on a tribal journey

A canoe family and their canoe, "Salmon Dancer," leave on their tribal journey from the beach at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

A canoe family and their canoe, "Salmon Dancer," leave on their tribal journey from the beach at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

A canoe is launched at the beach at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

A canoe is launched at the beach at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

USGS scientist Eric Grossman installing water-quality instruments in a canoe at the beach at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

Canoe on the beach and departing canoe at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

A canoe is launched at the beach at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.