Removing Lower Snake River Dams

We must unite around solutions to remove the four Lower Snake River Dams.

The Snake River

Free the Snake Flotilla

The Snake River is the Columbia’s largest tributary. The Snake and its feeder streams—many of which are mighty rivers in their own right—drain most of Idaho. Historically, the Snake River produced between one third and one half of the Columbia’s salmon, including millions of Chinook, steelhead, coho, and sockeye. The headwaters of the Snake, high in the Idaho mountains, are still some of the best salmon breeding areas in the Lower 48, insulated from development and the worst effects of climate change. Nevertheless, Snake River salmon and steelhead populations have collapsed and some scientists say they could go extinct in the next 20 years.

Lower Snake River Dams

Map of the Lower Snake River dams

For salmon and steelhead, the trouble starts when the Snake River leaves the Idaho mountains. The Snake flows roughly 150 miles through eastern Washington to join the Columbia near Tri-Cities—a stretch of water called the Lower Snake River. In the 1960s and 70s, the Army Corps of Engineers built four dams on the Lower Snake River to allow barging and generate a small amount of electricity. As scientists, tribes, and fishermen all warned, these four dams decimated the Snake River’s salmon and steelhead. The four dams transformed the Lower Snake River into a series of warm, shallow lakes where predators, dam turbines, and hot water kill too many migrating salmon.

Restoring the Lower Snake River

The situation is dire: Snake River salmon and Southern Resident orcas are close to extinction. But there’s still time to restore the Snake and Columbia rivers’ once-mighty salmon runs. As a region, we must unite around solutions to remove the four Lower Snake River Dams and re-invest in regional transportation, irrigation, and energy infrastructure. Working together, we can have a future that includes salmon, agriculture, and clean energy.

What can I do to help?
snake river event portland summer 2021
Un-Dam the Snake River

Tell Congress to work with States and Tribes to remove Snake River dams, prevent salmon extinction, and honor Treaties.

Support Removal of the Snake River Dams
Stand with Native Youth

Support Removal of the Snake River Dams

Salmon Orca Project
Support Pacific Northwest Tribes

Replace the Lower Snake River dams and save our salmon!

Call your Elected Leaders

Let them know you want the Snake River dams removed. Use this tool to find the right phone numbers. 

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Oregon business sign-on letter

Read about why Oregon business owners support lower Snake River dam removal and add your name.

 

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Our Northwest Opportunity

Learn about and join the national movement to un-dam the Snake River.

Our Work

Legal advocacy and community organizing stop pollution, fight fossil fuels, save salmon, engage communities, and clean up Hanford.