The Chehalis is Washington’s second largest river system, a top producer of 4 wild salmon species and home to the greatest diversity of amphibians in the state. 150 years of human activity has made the basin less resilient to floods and droughts. Climate models predict more extreme weather patterns and the possible extirpation of spring chinook salmon within the next 100 years.
A 300 ft tall “temporary flood retention facility” - a dam - has been proposed as one solution to manage flooding. But this dam would have significant impacts on some of the most important salmon habitat and cold water refugia in the basin.
In addition to the dam proposal, the state and others are proposing an Aquatic Species Restoration Plan, which could be the largest watershed restoration effort in Washington’s history.
We are producing a feature film and educational campaign around the future of the Chehalis Basin and a diverse group of stakeholders searching for common ground. We will highlight green infrastructure alternatives to manage flood risk that illustrate how working with nature can produce long term benefits for fish, wildlife and communities.
A 300 ft tall “temporary flood retention facility” - a dam - has been proposed as one solution to manage flooding. But this dam would have significant impacts on some of the most important salmon habitat and cold water refugia in the basin.
In addition to the dam proposal, the state and others are proposing an Aquatic Species Restoration Plan, which could be the largest watershed restoration effort in Washington’s history.
We are producing a feature film and educational campaign around the future of the Chehalis Basin and a diverse group of stakeholders searching for common ground. We will highlight green infrastructure alternatives to manage flood risk that illustrate how working with nature can produce long term benefits for fish, wildlife and communities.
