Watershed

by Elizabeth Grossman

Questioning the value of dams requires a serious readjustment in the country's notion of progress, a prospect threatening to some and daunting to all. Watershed examines the implications of dam removal to America's rivers and their communities by exploring the stories of a number of places where dam removal and river restoration are now underway. This is a story of people and place, and of a vital turning point in the nation's relationship to its rivers.

260 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 2002

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptions of the places and a good record of what happened / history of the dams but now somewhat outdated though still a very relevant issue... maybe more now than ever.

[Nola · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is shocking that there are so many dams in the U.S. that were built in the first place and secondly that so very many of them no longer serve any purpose. Removing dams that no longer have a purpose is a significant thing that can be done for ecological restoration, but it is also a need that will take a lot of money. What was nice about this book was the detailed, personal view of the chosen dams that came from the author’s visits to them and discussions with local citizens who have been involved with the issue of removal. The author visited dams from all regions of the U.S. Most people cannot remember or have any idea what areas were like before the dams were built. What this book doesn’t examine are newer proposed and built dams, such as the Three Gorges dam in China and Su-Watana in Alaska. There is not much cost/benefit analysis on the electricity provided by dams and the ecological damage caused by dams. I would have preferred more synthesis in the writing instead of the detailed quotes from so many different people.

[John Boettner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is a bit dated, it speaks volumes for our times. I'm surprised at the lack of reviews.

Given the number of dams Grossman speaks of, and the fact that so many of them are in such disrepair they not only can no longer pass inspection, they are becoming such a hazard no one will even claim ownership. As these dams get built, there is a phenomenon known as hazard creep where communities sprout downstream of dams; it might be fine for a time, but none of these structures are permanent much less maintenance free...eventually there comes a time where action is required if lives are going to be saved (and this goes without addressing the environmental disruption dams contribute to watersheds).

In Washington State we are just now witnessing the removal of one of these hazards, perhaps it is time for a sequel to see what we've learned from our experience with dam removal in Washington State.

[Ethar Abuhashish]

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