Water Wars: Determining the Future of Dam Removal in the State of Oregon
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Date
2023
Authors
Wiles, Eli
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
During western expansion, dams helped settlers conquer nature and develop the frontier. Oregon depends on dams for flood control, efficient renewable energy, and irrigation. As 20th-century infrastructure ages, removing large dams across the West has become a practical and realistic goal for politicians and environmentalists alike. This trend peaked when the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee approved the removal of four massive dams on the Klamath River in Southern Oregon. This mass decommissioning is part of a shift from barricades to educated sustainability. Managing the health of aquatic ecosystems has become a priority of the state, and the first step in managing rivers is removing dams. This research examines dam removal undertakings in Oregon and discusses the essential variables in these projects. This study generates a formula that helps determine the likelihood that a dam will be removed in Oregon. The investigation concludes with the idea that not all dams are created equal, and those that provide minimal utility for their surrounding ecosystems are unlikely to remain operational under Oregon law.
Description
51 pages
Keywords
Dam, Removal, Legal, fish, Treaties