Hemlock Dam, on Washington's Trout Creek, was removed on August 4th, 2009.  The 26 foot dam was originally constructed in 1935-36 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide for hydropower generation.  Generation ceased in 1958 when modifications were made to provide water for the Wind River Tree Farm.  This nursery closed in 1997.

Hemlock historically produced up to 40% of the Wind River's threatened wild steel head, and removal opens up approximately 15 miles of habitat.

In 2008 the Hydropower Reform Coalition provided $3K to the Gifford Pinchot Task Force (GPTF) for a legal intervention in Skamania County's appeal of Washington's Dept. of Ecology Clean Water permit.  The final report for this project is provided below and provides a history of the project, as well as describing the successful litigation and the steps taken to remove the dam.

In 2009, the Coalition provided GPTF with a second grant to produce a video on the removal of both Hemlock and the nearby Marmot Dam on Oregon's Sandy River.  This video will provide a visual representation of river restoration efforts and how this can connect habitat, recreation and community.  When completed, the video will be available here on the Coalition website.

Photo's courtesy of GPTF and Crag Law Center.