the film
forum
library
tutorial
contact
Economic and dam related articles

There Was Never a Concern
of Snake River Flooding

by Bill MacDonald
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, November 7, 2021

Southeastern Washington's Lower Granite Dam. I am a retired Walla Walla Corps of Engineers employee. I read the U-B editorial on Oct. 26 claiming high concern of flooding if the lower Snake River dams are removed.

The lower Snake River dams do not provide flood control and were never designed for that purpose. The 2002 lower Snake River study by the Corps clearly states this in Section 2: "All four lower Snake River dams are run-of-river facilities. They are not authorized, designed or operated for flood control."

I discussed the article with a long-time resident of the valley of the opposite political persuasion. He agreed with me and said there was never a concern of Snake River flooding. The natural flowing river in the relatively narrow canyon was never a problem. This basic knowledge of the Snake River needs to be public information, so we can make an objective evaluation of the lower Snake River dam removal proposal.

The public Corps reports can be accessed at here.


Bill MacDonald
There Was Never a Concern of Snake River Flooding
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, November 7, 2021

See what you can learn

learn more on topics covered in the film
see the video
read the script
learn the songs
discussion forum
salmon animation