It's overstating it. Salmon is spawning in the upper river, but it's not returning in sufficient numbers.

https://www.elwha.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Spatial-Spa...

> While annual estimates of the proportion of hatchery-origin natural spawners (pHOS) were initially 94-97% during and immediately following dam removal (2014-2019), pHOS declined to 82-85% during 2020-2024 (Weinheimer et al. 2022, WDFW unpublished).

And the absolute numbers are also not that great.

Elwha dam removal was a no-brainer as it was entirely useless. But it does cast doubt on the efficacy of larger dam removal projects, they are not necessarily going to result in automatic recovery.

WA is also spending about $10B on improving culverts on smaller streams. So far this hasn't resulted in meaningful effects on salmon runs. These moneys would be much better spent on other environmental projects.