Sequim Gazette staff
Debris at the former site of the Elwha River dam is a now a serious danger to boaters using that river, Olympic National Park officials said last week.
Park staff is urging all boaters to stay away from the section of river that flows through the former dam site, located between U.S Highway 101 and State Highway 112 and just outside of the Olympic National Park boundary.
Remnants of the dam’s foundation remain in that area of the river, park officials said. The debris includes long pieces of rebar and other metal shards that extend close to the water’s surface.
Boulders and swift currents in the area compound the risks, park officials said.
“The risk of snagging a boat on the remaining metal is high and presents a very real danger to boaters and swimmers,” Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said. “Until we are able to correct this problem later this year, we urge everyone to portage around the old Elwha Dam site.”
Park staffers are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a plan for removing the metal during this summer’s low river flows. Until then, park officials urge boaters, tubers and swimmers to avoid the section of river.
The Elwha River is closed to boating from the Smokey Hill Trail (formerly Upper Lake Mills Trail) downstream to the Altair Campground. The river is open to boating from the Altair Campground downstream, but boating through the former Elwha site is strongly discouraged.
The Olympic Hot Springs Road, which provides access into the upper Elwha Valley, remains closed to motor vehicles at the park boundary because of a major road washout.
National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration engineers have completed plans for repairing and reopening the road. Once plans are approved, construction will begin and it is expected to take about eight weeks.
The road is open to pedestrians, bicyclists, horses and leashed pets. Trails remain closed to pets and bicycles.
For more information about Olympic National Park — including current road, campground and trail conditions — see www.nps.gov/olym.
