PORT ANGELES — You can watch the historic piece-by-piece removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams — and the effects on the Elwha River — over the next three years from a variety of places.
Prime viewing spots for the largest dam removal project in U.S. history include:
■ Elwha Dam overlook.
Clallam County and Olympic National Park have built a new trail to an overlook with interpretive signs above the Elwha Dam.
The short trail and overlook can be accessed from a gate just south of the Elwha RV Park on Lower Dam Road off state Highway 112.
The public is asked to stay on the designated trail and out of the construction area.
■ Glines Canyon.
The public can hike to viewpoints out of the way of the contractor’s heavy machinery on Whiskey Bend Road, park spokesman Dave Reynolds said.
It’s about a one-mile walk up the road, and then hikers must walk down to the shore of Lake Mills to stand behind a rope and see the 210-foot dam.
Whiskey Bend Road will be closed in about two weeks for repair, and may be closed for the rest of the year, said Brian Krohmer, project manager for the dams removal.
Access to other areas in the Elwha Valley — including Madison Falls, Elwha and Altair campgrounds and the Elwha Ranger Station — remains open.
For road information in the park, phone 360-565-3131 or visit www.tinyurl.com/3hbuum8.
■ Elwha River Bridge.
Less than two miles downstream from the Elwha Dam, the public can get a bird’s-eye view of migrating salmon and other wildlife from the pedestrian deck of the Elwha River Bridge.
Dedicated in 2009, the 85-foot-tall Clallam County bridge features the Olympic Discovery Trail suspended beneath the vehicle lanes.
To access the bridge, follow Elwha River Road.
■ Webcams.
The National Park Service has installed six webcams along the Elwha River.
While the primary purpose of the webcams is to monitor the process of sediment movement, viewers will have a direct view of each dam as the removal process progresses.
The webcams, which take still photographs showing the progression of work, are placed facing both the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, the deltas at the southern ends of Lake Aldwell and Lake Mills, and along the northern shore of each reservoir.
You can watch the dams coming down from your laptop by clicking www.tinyurl.com/damwebcams.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
