Elwha River Introduction

Welcome to the Elwha River (3:20).

Part 1: Timeline

Watch the Elwha Introduction PowerPoint from Olympic National Park.

Use the PowerPoint and the timeline on page 2 to fill in dates on your "Introduction to the Elwha River" paper.

If the dam removal animations in the slideshow are not working, view this time lapse video of Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam removals.

Part 2a: Undamming the Elwha (PBS 2012 Movie - 27 min)

Watch the Undamming the Elwha movie.  While you watch, fill in your Elwha River Introduction paper.

Part 2b: Undamming the Elwha (PBS 2023 Movie - 27 min)

Watch the The Beautifiul Undammed.  After you watch, answer this question: What positive-for-the-ecosystem changes have happened since dam removal on the Elwha River?

Part 3: Olympic Peninsula from Space Map Activity

Using the Olympic Peninsula from Space map, please label the following using dry erase markers.

• Olympic National Park

• Port Angeles

• Seattle

• Puget Sound

• Hood Canal

• Strait of Juan de Fuca

• Elwha River

• 2 Other Landmarks You Choose

• Bonus: Outline the Elwha River Watershed

See a printable version of these instructions here.

Part 4: Elwha Watershed Map Activity

Using the Elwha Map worksheet paper (or the Olympic Peninsula from Space map if you do not have your paper), please label the following on your map.

• Mouth of the Elwha River 

• Site of Former Lower Dam (Elwha Dam)

• Site of Former Lake Aldwell

• Site of Former Upper Dam (Glines Canyon Dam)

• Site of Former Lake Mills

• Klahane Ridge (the mountains we see South of Port Angeles)

• Elwha River and All Creeks that Flow into the Elwha

• One Other Interesting Thing on the Map (label it)

See a printable version of these instructions here.