The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association has released a new study on the potential impacts of removing the Lower Snake River dams.  In an article about the study, the Capital Press says, “The livelihoods of thousands of farmers would be put at risk if the four lower Snake River dams are breached.”

The impacts of dam removal would have significant impacts on twelve Northwest counties in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.  The report estimates that 7644 farms in these counties would have serious impacts.  These farms currently generate $2 billion in annual sales. 

Other impacts outlined in the study include: 

Moving from barging on the river to truck and rail transportation would require 5 million more gallons of diesel each year, and increase carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions by 1.2 million tons, the equivalent of 181,000 passenger cars or adding one new large coal-fired power plant every two to three years, according to the association.

Breaching and related mitigation costs are estimated to cost between $10.5 billion and $65.7 billion. 

The highway and rail network would need a short-term $1.3 billion capital investment to handle 4.2 million tons of annual shipments to and from the region.

For a complete copy of the study click here:  PNWA Snake Dam Study – Aug 2023