Elwha Educational Video 4: “What’s a River For?”

Duration:

9 minutes, 8 seconds

The Elwha River in Port Angeles, Washington is the stage for the largest dam removal in American history. A century ago, a businessman dammed the waters of the Klallam people where 100-pound salmon cast their shadows. Behind the dynamite and bulldozers that erased Thomas Aldwell’s dream is a saga of competing ideas about the purpose and meaning of a river.

 

Exploring the Elwha River Ecosystem Video Series- Freeing the Elwha Curriculum Correlation *All lesson correlations for video modules 1-3 are applicable to this module

What’s a River For?
Social Studies Integration / With NGSS correlation
Freeing the Elwha : Social StudiesUnit 1: Tribal HistoryThe Point No Point Treaty
Freeing the Elwha : Social StudiesUnit 2: The Homestead EraLesson 1: To go or not to go?
Freeing the Elwha : Social StudiesLesson 5: Good IntentionsGUIDING QUESTION: How did an 1881 law in Washington interfere with then support the building of the Elwha Dam and what was the consequence for salmon? What did the building of the dam do for the economy of the Port Angeles area?	Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. (MS-ETS1-1) All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS-ETS1-1
Freeing the Elwha : Social StudiesLesson 6: A Long and Difficult ProcessGUIDING QUESTION: It would be nice if a few sticks of dynamite could quickly remove a dam, but there are many big issues involved in dam removal, what are those issues and how do they relate to the Elwha River dam removal project?	Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. (MS-ETS1-1) All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS-ETS1-1
Freeing the Elwha : Social StudiesLesson 7: Should the Dams on the Elwha be Removed? Classroom DebateThe American Field Guide : Salmon vs. Dams: The Dam removal Debate on the Elwha River (Teacher Resource Packet)	Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. (MS-ETS1-1) All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS-ETS1-1
Science Integration
Lesson 6: Effects of Elwha Dams on SedimentsGuiding Question: The building of the Elwha River Dams has had a huge effect on the natural sediment transport and sediment structures along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. What benefit will the removal of the dams have to natural and human communities along the Strait of Juan de Fuca as natural sediment transport resumes	ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems All Earth processes are the result of energy flowing and matter cycling within and among the planet’s systems. This energy is derived from the sun and Earth’s hot interior. The energy that flows and matter that cycles produce chemical and physical changes in Earth’s materials and living organisms. (MS-ESS2-1) SS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems Rainfall helps to shape the land and affects the types of living things found in a region. Water, ice, wind, living organisms, and gravity break rocks, soils, and sediments into smaller particles and move them around. (4-ESS2-1) Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. (MS-ETS1-1) All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS-ETS1-1
Lesson 14: Impact of Hydroelectric Dams on SalmonGuiding Question: Dams are important to people but they have a serious impact on salmon migration. How do dams affect salmon and what successes have people had in trying to help salmon migration?	LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.(MS-LS2-4) All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS-ETS1-1
Lesson 15: Effects of Elwha Dams on SalmonGuiding Question: The building of the Elwha River Dams had a huge impact on the anadromous fish of the Elwha River, why were the dams built in the first place, how have they affected anadromous fish and the surrounding environment, and why are they coming down?	LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.(MS-LS2-4)
Lesson 16: Restoring the Elwha RiverGuiding Question: There are many important factors involved in removing the Elwha Dams and restoring the Elwha River. What strategies is Olympic National Park employing to help the river and its anadromous fish recover?
English Language Arts: Creative Response Lessons
Lesson 1: A Trip to Olympic National Park and the Elwha RiverGuiding Question: Where in the world are Olympic National Park and the Elwha River?Overview: In this lesson students will use web resources to find Olympic National Park and the Elwha River on a map. Students will generate a map which they will use in a travel brochure they will create for Olympic National Park and the Elwha River Valley.r
Lesson 2: Calling the Salmon Back to the Elwha: Poems for the Adventurous AnadromousGuiding Question: How can asking someone or something to respond to a request help to build understanding?Overview: In this lesson students will write a "question and answer" poem that uses two voices, one to call the salmon back to the River and the other to respond to the caller. Students will perform their poems.
Lesson 3: Totem PolesGuiding question: If you were to create a totem pole for the Elwha River what combination of current and historical symbols would you include in it?Lesson Overview: Students will work in small groups to research Totem Poles, their history, meaning and symbolism. Then in the same small groups students will construct a totem pole for the Elwha River out of found objects that represent the historical and modern significance of the river and its restoration. Groups will then give a short presentation to introduce, explain and justify their totem pole