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Olympic Hot Springs Road Closed
The Elwha Valley's Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to public entry beyond the Altair Campground during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam. Olympic Hot Springs is not accessible from the Elwha.
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Elwha River Closures
Boating is prohibited on the Elwha River from Upper Lake Mills Trail downstream to the Highway 112 bridge, except for the stretch between Altair Campground and the Highway 101 bridge.
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Changes to Visitor Services Due to Sequestration
Due to mandatory, across the board budget cuts, some visitor services at Olympic National Park have changed. See the Plan Your Visit section for more information.
Creative Response Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: A Trip to Olympic National Park and the Elwha River Guiding Question: Where in the world are Olympic National Park and the Elwha River? Overview: In this lesson students will use web resources to find Olympic National Park and the Elwha River on a map. Students will generate a map which they will use in a travel brochure they will create for Olympic National Park and the Elwha River Valley. Time: Two class periods Materials:
Lesson 2: Calling the Salmon Back to the Elwha: Poems for the Adventurous Anadromous Guiding Question: How can asking someone or something to respond to a request help to build understanding? Overview: In this lesson students will write a "question and answer" poem that uses two voices, one to call the salmon back to the River and the other to respond to the caller. Students will perform their poems. Time: Two class periods Materials:
Lesson 3: Totem Poles Guiding question: If you were to create a totem pole for the Elwha River what combination of current and historical symbols would you include in it? Lesson Overview: Students will work in small groups to research Totem Poles, their history, meaning and symbolism. Then in the same small groups students will construct a totem pole for the Elwha River out of found objects that represent the historical and modern significance of the river and its restoration. Groups will then give a short presentation to introduce, explain and justify their totem pole. Time Needed: Two Class periods Materials: 
This webpage was made possible in part by a grant from Washington's National Park Fund. |
Did You Know?
Removal of two dams on the Elwha River is the second largest ecosystem restoration project in the National Park System.