Eklutna River salmon need water & fish passage.
Eklutna River salmon runs have been greatly diminished by operation of the Eklutna Hydropower Project.
For nearly a century, migration of Eklutna River salmon has been blocked by hydroelectric dams and impacted by water diversions. We believe there’s enough water in Eklutna Lake to go around. It’s time to bring the salmon back.
Happening Now:
Eklutna Coalition calls for dam removal.
The proposed plan is not enough. Read a better solution here.
BREAKING: Proposed hydroelectric project mitigation plan fails to address harm to the Eklutna River
Read the press release from Native Village of Eklutna, The Conservation Fund, Trout Unlimited & The Alaska Center here.
4 out of 5 Alaskans do not support the utilities’ Draft Plan
Read more about what Alaskans want for their river here.
The effort to revive the Eklutna River and return salmon is underway.
In 2018 an abandoned hydroelectric dam that blocked salmon migration for nearly 100 years was successfully removed, an important initial first step in restoration and investment in the river’s health.
At present, a second dam at the outflow of Eklutna Lake diverts all of the water in the lake to fuel the Eklutna Hydropower Project and provide drinking water for Anchorage. Zero water is released to support wild salmon in the Eklutna River.
Are you ready to help?
A healthy, fully functioning & productive Eklutna River is possible. It’s up to Alaskans to create it by being engaged in the process that is currently underway to mitigate, or make up for, the Eklutna Hydropower Project’s impact to fish and wildlife.
Your voice of support is important in helping ensure water is returned to the river!
“The fish, the fish, it’s in all our stories. Children, grandparents – everybody all working together - that unity. It’s almost a binding agent for who we are. When we’re proud of Eklutna then we’re proud of ourselves.”
— Maria Coleman, Cultural Facilitator, Native Village of Eklutna