OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Boaters are urged to stay away from the section of the Elwha River that flows through the former Elwha Dam site.
The site is located between U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 outside of the Olympic National Park boundary.
The river is open to boating from the Altair Campground downstream, but park officials are strongly discouraging boating — as well as tubing and swimming — through the former Elwha Dam site.
Remnants of the dam’s foundation remain in that area of the river and include long pieces of rebar and other metal shards that extend close to the water’s surface, said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.
Boulders and swift currents in the area compound the risks, she said.
“The risk of snagging a boat on the remaining metal is high and presents a very real danger to boaters and swimmers,” said park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum.
“Until we are able to correct this problem later this year, we urge everyone to portage around the old Elwha Dam site.”
The park is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a plan for removing the metal during this summer’s low river flows.
Until then, boaters, tubers and swimmers are urged to avoid the section of river through the old Elwha Dam site.
The Elwha River is closed to boating from the Smokey Hill Trail (formerly Upper Lake Mills Trail) downstream to the Altair Campground.
