Andrew+Barclay+Wiki

media type="youtube" key="CaNb2wouYUk" height="344" width="425" __Marmot Dam Remova__l- The marmot dam was built in 1906 and removed in 2008 after it was decommissioned by Portland General Electric (PGE). They decided to start removal after seeing that the dam would need repairs and knowing the ecological impacts of dams. The dam had originally been constructed for hydroelectric power and had since become obsolescent and needed to be revamped. “Of many possible options for decommissioning, PGE chose the informally termed 'blow and go' option, in which the dam was removed as quickly as possible with minimal prior removal of stored sediment”. The video accompanying shows time-lapsed photos of the flow changes to the river and sediment removal. They waited for a large rainstorm so that the most amount of sediment could get moved away quickly. They also had researchers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) who did studies on the effects to the river flow from the removal of the dam. I think that until we know more about the impacts of dam removal, we cannot stop performing them as the consequences of leaving them intact are detrimental to the river and its original inhabitants. Fish ladders were installed on this dam, but did not work well and screens were placed in 1951 to prevent fish heading downstream from getting killed in the turbines. The removal of the Marmot Dam and a few others in the Sandy river area are intended to increase salmon habitat and create more fishing opportunities in the area. The PGE will continue to monitor the river until 2017 for any other causes of concern that might arise. This will hopefully be a case that will remain as precedent in upcoming dam removal projects as a successful one.

Major, Jon J., and Abagail Rhode. "Initial Fluvial Response to the Removal of Oregon’s Marmot Dam." //Initial Fluvial Response to the Removal of Oregon’s Marmot Dam// 89.27 (2008): 241-42. Print.