Scientist: Beaches grow as Elwha dams are removed

January 20, 2013 @ 11:15 am

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) - A scientist monitoring the shoreline near the mouth of the Olympic Peninsula's Elwha River says beaches are starting to grow as two massive dams are removed.

Ian Miller, a coastal hazards specialist, tells the Peninsula Daily News ( http://is.gd/k9t0fH) that some of the sediment held back for nearly a century by the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams is accumulating in sand bars shaped nearly every day by the river's flow. Beaches to the east of the Elwha's mouth are growing slightly and becoming sandier as more sediment is released.

Miller regularly surveys four sites near the mouth: three just to the east and one just to the west.

A key question is how much Elwha sediment is reaching the surrounding shorelines, and whether it can stop or reverse beach erosion that has been documented for decades.

The Elwha Dam was removed last spring. The Glines Canyon Dam is expected to be removed by May.

___

Information from: Peninsula Daily News, http://www.peninsuladailynews.com


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Nature's Reality Check
    We can conquer terrorism, cure cancer, but a tornado can remind us of our insecurity

  • Back to Work
    Ten observations from practice that only a backup, middle child, left-handed QB can provide

  • Going 'Bulworth'
    When Obama is exasperated with the ways of Washington, he dreams of getting honest
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (2)


  • Add A Comment

  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    What?
    April 29, 2012 4:49 pm
    The river is polluting the strait w/ it's sediment?! This cannot be allowed. Dam it!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    What a funny, insightful, satirical remark 5-0
    April 29, 2012 5:47 pm
    Did you come up with that all by yourself?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }