Document - Wild River

Abstract

The problem of impoundment is becoming ever more acute in the Northwest. Some years ago the emphasis was on down-stream impoundments and in general conservationists did not oppose such dams largely because it was evident to all concerned that they increased the usable water for certain purposes and thus were necessary to our growing economy. Those conservationists who realized that the storing of water for irrigation, flood control, power production, and industrial use was frequently in conflict with the use of water and watersheds for wildlife and recreation were not sufficiently well organized to bring their thinking before the public in a clear and forceful way. Rivers and their watersheds are inseparable and to maintain wild areas we must preserve the rivers that drain them.