Wildlife

Wild Salmon Welfare and Dam Removal

Dam removal programs are restoring salmon migration routes, with significant welfare implications for recovering populations.

Key Facts

Dams block salmon migration, causing population fragmentation and local extinction
Successful dam removals on rivers including the Elwha have allowed rapid population recovery
Fish ladders provide incomplete welfare and passage compared to free rivers
Over 1000 dams have been removed in the US, restoring hundreds of miles of habitat

Welfare Considerations

Salmon blocked by dams cannot complete their migration, causing reproductive failure and physiological stress in fish that have already undergone energetically costly preparation for spawning. Fish ladders impose additional energy costs and many fish fail to negotiate them. Dam removal restores natural behavior and eliminates migration barriers, directly improving fish welfare.

What You Can Do

Support dam removal programs on rivers with salmon migration
Advocate for fish passage requirements on existing dams
Donate to river restoration and salmon recovery organizations
Support renewable energy alternatives to hydropower where dams threaten salmon