Imagining a New Future for the Lower Snake River

The mighty Columbia and Snake rivers connect the entire Inland Northwest and have supported human and wild communities since time immemorial. Both rivers historically produced millions of salmon and steelhead, nourishing tribal communities for thousands of years and the white settlements who came later. Today, these rivers provide hydropower, irrigation, navigation, and recreation. However, since dam construction, 13 stocks of wild salmon and steelhead were listed as threatened and endangered under the Endangered Species Act and continue to decline. Businesses, families and communities who depend on these fisheries and the now flooded landscape for their food and livelihoods have been greatly impacted.

The Northwest has been engaged in a decades-long debate over how to restore the once prosperous recreation and fishing economies of the Columbia Basin by recovering fisheries and honoring tribal treaties and conservation laws. All attempts made by agencies to restore salmon populations to a river altered by four major federal dams have failed. Calls for restoring the lower Snake River continue to grow across the Northwest.

How do we replace services that the dams currently provide and take advantage of the newly restored amenities that come with a free flowing river?

These are critical discussions for communities and residents in the Inland Northwest and the time to have them is now. Whether you support dam removal, have questions about it, or are on the fence, it is in our best interest to begin this conversation and share ideas. Creating a vision for a free-flowing Snake River will allow us to develop a transition plan that protects communities and positions the region to take advantage of the benefits of dam removal, including expanded fisheries, recreation opportunities, and new available lands. People with a stake in this future are already exploring how to replace the dams’ benefits with clean energy and modern transportation to replace lower Snake barges. The alternatives are affordable and in reach.

If Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams are removed, 144 miles of free-flowing river will be restored and more than 14,000 acres of submerged land will resurface. Let’s imagine what this river corridor could look like...

Before the dams were built between 1960 and 1975, the corridor from Pasco, WA to Lewiston, ID was populated with several farming towns with productive orchards and other crops grown on the fertile flatlands.

As the story of the salmon goes, the salmon told the creator he would be willing to give his life so the Nez Perce (Ni MiiPuu) could be nourished and sustain themselves on Mother Earth. In return the Ni MiiPuu said they would take care of the salmon (story shared by the Sierra Club).

For years, the Nez Perce Tribe has been calling for the removal of the four lower Snake River dams because of the impact they have had on salmon, steelhead, and other fish species the tribe relies on and works to protect. The construction of the dams severely impacted the way of life for the Nez Perce, the Palouse Tribe and other tribal communities throughout the region and their removal could be one step closer to restoring salmon and steelhead populations to their pre-dam levels. 

The entire lower Snake River corridor, from Pasco, WA to Lewiston, ID, has a long farming history. Three miles upstream from Little Goose Dam—the third of the four lower Snake River dams—lies Penawawa, an important, historical Palouse village where tribal members lived and raised horses on the lowlands along the river. More recently, Penawawa was home to a European settlement with productive orchards and fruit crops along the river’s edge. Today only a small peach orchard exists along the flatwater reservoir.

Rich and climate resilient wildlife habitat can be found throughout the lower Snake River corridor. This habitat supports migratory and game bird species, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and of course imperiled salmon and steelhead. For the past two decades, fishery scientists have maintained that our best opportunity for restoring salmon lies in the Snake River basin, and to restore healthy, harvestable numbers of salmon we must remove the four lower Snake River dams.

Key areas currently managed for wildlife along the lower Snake River include the mouth of Penawawa Creek, Central Ferry, and lands along Lower Granite reservoir.

If the dams were to be removed what habitat could be restored and enhanced? What species could be restored? Answers to these questions could inform land and water conservation priorities and reinvigorate salmon and other wildlife populations to support fishing and hunting.

A restored river corridor offers the potential for a wide range of recreation and tourism activities.  Restored steelhead and salmon would support sportfishing up and down the river. Historically popular steelhead fishing sites such as the “Colfax Hole” directly upriver from the Lower Granite dam could return, putting this site (and many others) for outdoor recreation back on the map.

Additionally, river boating could make a comeback as more than 80 rapids once existed along the lower Snake River. Jetboating, rafting, kayaking and other water recreation would expand. While some current uses including bass fishing would decline, overall recreation would significantly increase. New campgrounds could also be established along the river corridor. Swimming areas and beaches could be re-established without “Swim at Your Own Risk” signs posted due to stagnant, algae filled water often found in the summer months. Jet boat tours and other river recreation activities could expand on the river.

Historic Sites of Rapids Along the Lower Snake River:

Cruise lines that currently dock in Clarkston would dock in Pasco. Rather than spend 13 hours on the upstream journey from Pasco to Clarkston, tourists could do a scenic 4 hour bus tour along the Palouse to Clarkston, or extend it with stops along the way such as a wine tour in Walla Walla, a visit to Lyons’ Ferry to learn Tribal history, or a jet boat ride from Boyer Park near Almota to view a newly restored river. With the right planning and infrastructure, local communities would benefit from new recreation and tourism dollars.

For decades, Washington has been a leader at providing affordable and reliable energy to river communities. Dams are an important part of this success, but new technologies and expanded renewable energy opportunities are growing in the Inland Northwest.

“We have options. But we don’t have a lot of time. We can maintain cheap, clean power; bring back healthy, harvestable salmon runs; and protect the livelihoods of neighbors upriver, downriver and on the coast. I truly believe this is within our reach.”

–Buzz Ramsey, Yakima Bait Company

It’s time for residents and community leaders to explore what a free-flowing river would mean for towns and economies. Stakeholder discussions need to continue regarding how transportation, irrigation and clean energy alternatives can be implemented to replace the current benefits provided by the dams. And we should begin having community conversations on how to take advantage of the economic and community benefits a free flowing river corridor can provide, like how we make the most of:

• 144 miles of a free-flowing Snake River and the restoration of over 14,400 acres of land that are currently inundated by water;
• Increased hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities;
• New investments into local communities that enhance agriculture, recreation tourism and quality of life; 
• Restored waterfronts for Clarkston, WA and Lewiston, ID

We want your thoughts and ideas on what you would like to see at a specific site or throughout the river corridor.

Whether you want the lower Snake River restored, want the dams to stay, or haven’t made up your mind, you can still participate in community conversations and planning.

• Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited
• Spokane Riverkeeper
• Josh Mills, Wild Steelhead Coalition, Spokane
• Idaho River Adventures
• The Lands Council

Thank you for joining us in shaping our future.