The collaborative work of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to restore the Elwha River was recognized as a world renowned restoration project during the awarding of the 2016 Thiess International Riverprize.

Riverprize is an annual award given by the International River Foundation to recognize and support the premier examples of river restoration management. The award was presented during an award ceremony at the 19th International River Symposium on Sept. 14 in New Delhi, India.

The Elwha River was recognized as one of three Riverprize finalists for its unprecedented approach to restoring salmon populations through the largest orchestrated dam removal project in history. The Elwha River Restoration Project also included numerous other restoration elements including fisheries management, reseeding and replanting, water management and treatment, sediment management and educational activities. These coordinated activities came after decades of debate, planning and collaboration.

“The Elwha River Restoration is a shining example of what can happen when diverse groups work together to recognize rivers for their many contributions to our culture, economy and environment,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said. “It was powerful to witness the largest dam removal and ecosystem restoration project in history, and to see endangered salmon, trout and other fish once again regain access to their historic migration and spawning habitat along the Elwha River.”

Between 2011-2014, the two dams on the Elwha River were removed, resulting in the release of millions of cubic meters of sediment downstream and the reopening of fish passage upstream, past former dam sites into protected habitats of Olympic National Park. The project now serves as a living laboratory of cultural and ecosystem restoration as the salmon return to the river.

“Elwha River Restoration is a historic achievement for the Department of the Interior and the tribe that could not have been accomplished without the help of our many partners and we are ve1y honored to have been chosen as a finalist for the Thiess International River Prize,” said Olympic National Park acting superintendent Rachel Spector.