Questions of Salmon and Energy in Western Rivers

Despite concerns, the rivers are being dramatically altered to aid the transport of the energy industry equipment.

"On Feb. 1, huge trucks began hauling oil-production equipment to Montana from Lewiston, Idaho's only seaport, located 465 miles east of the ocean and made possible by a series of navigation locks connected to massive concrete dams that control the Columbia and Snake. Soon the trucks are expected to ship much more equipment farther north, to the oil sands of Canada, against opposition from groups who say the route, once traveled by Lewis and Clark, should not be used to advance the future of fossil fuels.

Even as advocates for salmon want some dams removed to ease fish migration, major renovations are under way this winter at three dams to ensure that the barge traffic they enable can continue for decades to come."