85 dams has to be done slowly to ensure as little damage as possible. Once the dams are fully removed and the sediment-rich with nutrients is able to flow down the river, the salmon population in the river will begin to flourish. The fish will provide nutrients to the ocean and be a source of food when they die, in turn, supporting 100 other wildlife and aquatic species.13 Reflecting a similar idea on the Dayton Dam provides interesting results. The dam does serve as a principal of sustainable energy development, however, that is how far the significance of it goes. The amount of energy it produces pales in comparison to the billions of kilowatts per year produced by coal and nuclear plants. Removing the dam all at once could harbor some dire consequences. An immense amount of power being lost coupled with all the sediment flowing downstream would create nearly impossible living conditions for the wildlife and humans in the areas surrounding the Dayton Dam. Upon implementing a several-year-long plan, similar to that of the hydroelectric dams along the Elwha River, the Dayton Dam could be removed with little to no repercussions. Though the dam is not currently being considered for removal, it is a viable option for the future as it becomes less of an economically sound means of electricity. The dam may have been an inspiration in the past, but it is now more of a burden for the people and wildlife around it. 13 Renee Cho, "Removing Dams and Restoring Rivers," State of the Planet, last modified May 2, 2014, https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2011/08/29/removing-dams-and-restoring-rivers/.
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