We could easily quintuple renewable energy in our state, just from a mix of solar and wind, and modern electric power generation needs at most 0.5% hydroelectric for shaping. These dams were built at a time when we didn't know how to do tri-phase inverters, or energy from a mix of solar and wind to get a better power curve.

Let's compromise: for every dam we take down let's decommision twenty coal, gas, or oil plants.

What magnificient aquatic animals salmon are.

They say, pre-dam, Elwha River salmon used to get up to a hundred pounds. Each. Well, not all of them; when you're face down in a river, just enjoying the current, and the view, and you come around a corner (or a boulder) and there's a forty or fifty pounder nearly nose to nose, it'll take your breath away. A hundred-pounder'd probably fill my wetsuit.

Great pic.

President Sanders, what is your view on the Snake River dams?

A. Tom, thank you for that question, and what I think is we need to restore the damn Planet, guarantee (as much as possible) to make it a Better Place for our Progeny, and if we can do that, and gain Effeciency [he always capitalizes when he talks] as well, while putting Americans back to Work at good paying jobs, why the fuck Not?

Remove the damn dams.
Thank you, Mr. President.

How bout no damn dams -- giant paddlewheels+solar+wind etc instead?

And you, Mr. trump?

Dams are awesome we used to have a liitle dam it wasn't a wide dam it was more roundish, you know. And the fish there were fish and we used to catch 'em and eat 'em right there, sushimi i think they call it we'd throw the bones back in the water, make ahellova mess, but we diidn't care, it's a stupid river and then the boys, they'd throw rocks at the fish -- Erik and JR, they always loved that shit. They turned out great; not like that damn son of a son in law of mine -- what's 'is name I think. If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him.

Next question?

No, thanks, Mr. trump.

Wouldn't it be something if one day we could clear all the dams off the Columbia and restore the cataracts through the gorges? I guess it would take a world changed in many ways.

Someone should tell Elon Musk to stop screwing around with this ridiculous boring machines and invent fusion power. That's the way the Free Market solves problems for society, right?

Nothing will happen so long as this moronic administration is in the White House. Hopefully this will be challenged and tied up in court long enough for Trump to meet his end and the next president's agencies can take another look.

@5 One change is that agriculture in much of eastern WA would cease to exist.

When the BLA and Army Corps of Engineers built the great American dams in the front end of the 20th century, their first purpose was irrigation, with flood control as an important secondary function. Generating electricity was almost an afterthought, rating a distant third.

It's hardly an original observation, but we have a remarkably short memory, compared to other nations.

@4
C'mon, there's no way in hell Trump could ever pronounce (or understand) the word sushimi.
Hamberder - on the other hand, Trump understands.

This article would be more valuable if it showcased the actual benefits that the Snake River dams provide, which are minimal. Hydro power production is low compared to the mainstem Columbia River dams, they provide the ability for barges to run up to Lewiston, ID... but there is a rail line that runs parallel to the river and offers the same shipping benefit, and the reservoir capacity behind each of the Snake River dams is minimal and doesn't provide much in the way of flood control. The gov agencies that sponsored this decision have a vested interest in their decision to keep the dams, as removing them would lower their bloated budget and political power. They should come down.

Thank you, robotslave dear. Very few Seattleites understand the importance of the Columbia Basin Project.

Amoravec, I’m frankly surprised that BPA took a stand on this. They had been rather agnostic about it in the past, particularly after all the wind power started coming on-line. I agree with you that the Snake River dams can and should come down, but they’ve been talking about this for decades. And Republican stupidity just makes it worse.

https://www.kuow.org/stories/why-not-take-down-seattle-s-dams-to-help-orcas

Human ingenuity is America's biggest assset:

The amount of H20 emptying into the Columbia and Snake Rivers will remain the same, perhaps increasing with more water in our atmosphere. Seems like we could free the Salmon AND provide irrigation for The Dry Side.

Maybe I'm a Dreamer.

@8 -- It didn't hail from Fake so-called prez's well-colandered 'memory' -- in a previous (and very rare) moment of 'lucidity,' trump Sharpied 'sushimi' on the back of his left hand (aides were terrified that he might try and eat it [handburger?], but so far so good).

kristofarian dear, you should take a trip out to Grand Coulee this summer. Take a look at Banks Lake. That is the irrigation reservoir for most of central Washington. It’s quite a marvel of engineering. Plus, the scenery is beautiful.

I dunno @Catalinia. I'm certainly no Expert (unlike fake prez) -- perhaps instead of one Giant res. that wets most of CEWA, we fill three hundred* coulees if it's merely irrigation we seek, not 'Head' from a massive dam. But there's a fuckova lotta peeps out there way smarter than me who just. might. Hell, make it a contest.

(I bet if we polled every Grade School in WA, they'd Crowd Source
our way outta this [and most] Dilemma in nearly zero time.)

And thanks for the tourism tips!
It is AWESOME over there.

*or, however many it might take

Oh, wait -- we were talking about the Snake R., not the Mighty Columbia.
My argument stands, just not on that river.

kristofarian, it’s funny that you mention grade school: I used to do presentations to school children on renewable energy. We’d get into deep philosophical discussions (seriously) over issues like land use, “good” vs. “bad” hydro, whether there is a “right” to solar exposure, and whether trees or solar should take precedence, They were very thoughtful. I miss that part of my old job.

We're currently dictated to by a toddler
it's time to try some actual Kids. The
as-yet-programmed type.

We lose too much perspective when
we're taught what and how to think.

Besides, they're the ones're gonna inherit this Planet.
So if Anyone gets a Say, it fucking oughtta be Them.

If it all goes sideways, bonus, we'll have someone (else) to blame it on.

Small wonder you miss it, Catalina....

"So you speak to me of sadness
And the coming of the winter
Fear that is within you now
It seems to never end
And the dreams that have escaped you
And the hopes that you've forgotten
You tell me that you need me now
You want to be my friend

And you wonder where we're going
Where's the rhyme and where's the reason
And it's you who cannot accept
It is here we must begin
To seek the wisdom of the children
And the graceful way of flowers in the wind

For the children and the flowers
Are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness
Could clear a cloudy day
Like the music of the mountains
And the colours of the rainbow
They're a promise of the future
And a blessing for today

Though the cities start to crumble
And the towers fall around us
The sun is slowly fading
And it's colder than the sea
It is written from the desert
To the mountains they shall lead us
By the hand and by the heart
They will comfort you and me
In their innocence and trusting
They will teach us to be free

For the children and the flowers
Are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness
Would clear a cloudy day
And the song that I am singing
Is a prayer to non believers
Come and stand beside us
We can find a better way."

John Denver
Rhymes and Reasons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN4AZtep4wQ

Gosh, mccartty, when 'doktor' Aluta's Magical Spell™ wears off (and, it seems, they almost always Do), perhaps you might give (as long as you're already Here) the Dan Savage a whirl -- he can solve Most marital Issues with Aplomb (and [typically] Excellent Advice!).

Savage Love, he calls it -- but it's (usuall) not nearly as Savage as the name implies. And don't be afraid to DTMFA -- he doesn't sound like much of a "catch" to me. -- but give Savage Love a shot, first. Good Luck!

y

robotslave, Catalina Vel-DuRay, and kristofarian: I love reading your posts. So spot on.
I haven't been to Grand Coulee Dam in years---since I was a little kid and my family drove out to Coulee City to visit an elderly great uncle in his late nineties who had never married or had a family. Thank you all for your good points made.
@1 Will in Seattle: Sounds good to me.
@19 kristofarian: I LOVE it! Rest in peace, John Deutschendorf, Jr. ( a,k,a John Denver).

Hey, speaking of Dan, is he okay? Where is he? Haven't seen him on here this week.