Tag #Southern Resident Killer Whale

How did the damming of the Elwha River impact the Chinook salmon population, and what is the current status of the salmon population after dam removal?

Decades of damming the Elwha River decimated the Chinook salmon population, the orcas' primary food source, from roughly 30,000 to near zero. The removal of the dams, completed in 2012, is now showing signs of recovery, with 7,000 Chinook salmon counted last year. This ecosystem restoration project highlights the interconnectedness of wildlife and habitat preservation.