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Commentaries and editorials

ISU Bengal Theater to Host Screening of Documentary
Exploring How Snake River Dams Imperil Salmon, Orcas

by Taylor Calder
Idaho State Journal, March 20, 2026

Aerial view of Lower Snake River and some wheat fields high above on fertile soils. POCATELLO -- A documentary exploring the connection between lower Snake River salmon and the survival of Pacific Northwest orca whales will be screened at the Bengal Theater on April 1.

"The Snake and the Whale," by Emmy Award-winning journalist John Carlos Frey, examines how four federal dams on the lower Snake River are driving Idaho salmon and Southern Resident orcas toward extinction.

The screening begins at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for a pre-show social hour featuring local organizations. Executive Producer Scott Levy will host a question-and-answer session following the film.

"When a top predator begins to disappear, it's a warning sign we can't afford to ignore," a Portneuf Resource Council press release said. "This film connects the decline of Idaho's once mighty salmon runs to the survival of the orcas that depend on them, revealing how science, policy, and personal stories intersect in shaping the future of the Snake River. What's at stake isn't just fish or whales, it's a way of life, a legacy, and the health of an entire ecosystem."

The event is sponsored by the Pocatello League of Women Voters and the Portneuf Resource Council.

For more information, visit snakeandwhale.com or follow the film on Instagram at @thesnakeandthewhale.

Related Sites:
Free Film - Snake and the Whale at 6:30pm April 1, 2026


Taylor Calder
ISU Bengal Theater to Host Screening of Documentary Exploring How Snake River Dams Imperil Salmon, Orcas
Idaho State Journal, March 20, 2026

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