Enloe Dam, a 54-foot-high concrete wall spanning 290 feet across the Similkameen River, is located in north-central Washington state. The Similkameen River is the largest tributary to the Okanogan River but has been inaccessible to anadromous fish since Enloe Dam was constructed in 1922. Currently, just over 70 miles of stream habitat in the Okanogan River Basin are capable of supporting Upper Columbia River steelhead and spring Chinook salmon, both of which are listed under the Endangered Species Act. However, stream temperature models predict that much of that habitat will become uninhabitable by 2040. Dam removal will reconnect an additional 1,520 miles of habitat and provide refuge from the projected temperature increases.
The region is home to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in the U.S. and two First Nations in BC (Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands). The dam stands over one of the most important Tribal fishing sites in the region, Coyote Falls, which will be restored once the dam is removed. Protecting this place requires removing a structure that has been functionally and economically obsolete for more than 60 years. Enloe Dam is a century old, and an unplanned breach or dam failure would have catastrophic consequences for downstream communities. Removal will reconnect a recreation corridor for anglers and whitewater enthusiasts, and increase accessibility for camping, swimming, and hiking.
In 2023, TU and partners were able to produce a stakeholder engagement framework, project roadmap, and a commitment of support for a feasibility study from the dam owner. Over the next year, TU will work on design, permitting, and construction documentation, with the goal of reaching the construction phase by June 2027.
