Joining the Wild and Scenic River System: What does that even mean?

Wild & Scenic Waterfall: Big Brother on the White Salmon River, WA

I said it to my kayak instruction students and rafting clients countless times this summer.

"Oh yea, the White Salmon is a Wild & Scenic River" (confidently nodding as if it was so obvious what this means that I wouldn't even bother elaborating).

Just a few of Oregon and Washington's Wild & Scenic Rivers

When it comes down to it though, I have no idea what this means exactly.

Obviously it means that some type of imaginary conservation blanket covers the twisting river through canyons and farmland. Perhaps it prevented the construction any sort of obstruction, like a dam, along the free-flowing river. It might even mean that the river met some higher standard of water quality.

Still, too many questions remained for me to be able to truthfully make this statement to my guests.

• Is the whole river protected?
• What does 'wild' and 'scenic' actually mean?
• What about the Condit Dam downstream?
• Is some agency/organization/group actually managing this river?
• Why is this river so special?

So I found out.

In the article Part I: Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in Oregon and Washington, I explain the answers to all these juicy questions.

If you have ever enjoyed the flowing water of a "Wild & Scenic River" I suggest you check it out. Educate yourself on the rivers you love and maybe one day you will be the one to stop their destruction.

Changing a River Forever: Removal of the Condit Dam in my backyard

I follow the river. Not only when pushing off from shore and moving with the current, but also from home. I watch gauges and learn about tributaries. I listen for reports of new wood and alteration of rapids over the seasons.

My new home in the Columbia Gorge, from Portland to Hood River to White Salmon, brings the opportunity to learn and connect with a new set of rivers.

When I heard the plan to tear down a 200 ft dam from my new favorite river, my attention sharpened.

[Check out the article Condit Dam Removal: White Salmon soon to be freed that I wrote to learn more about what is going on with the decomission process and how boaters will be effected]

I learned that the days of the Condit Dam on the White Salmon River were numbered, soon discovering how long this process has actually taken.

Steps toward decommissioning began 14 years ago! Hoops and hurdles stood in the way as PacifiCorp, Skamania and Klickitat counties, local community associations, energy and environmental departments and many more all petitioned for their interests. Settlements were made, certifications gained and now only one last order from the Federal Energy Regulation Comission must be made before the final date is set.

And here I stand, showing up for the very last moments of the ordeal.

While I have not been a witness of the process in the past, you better believe I will be around for what happens next.

The White Salmon River valley is about to change drastically. We will witness a new riparian environment slowly rebuild. Fading through degrees of succession as plants and animals reemerge into their natural habitat. Fish will travel farther upstream now, changing the dynamic of upstream sections of river as well.

And of course, the contours of the river bed that have hidden under the lake for nearly 100 years will once again feel the flow of the river.

Makes me wonder what other projects exist throughout my region working toward similar goals and how I might be able to be a part of it all.