JOHN GUSSMAN — the Sequim-based cinematographer documenting the $325 million Elwha River restoration/dam removal project — has shared a 2-minute, 44-second film clip taken Tuesday of the Elwha, now free of its two dams and swollen by heavy rains, roaring down to the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Angeles.
Elwha River at flood stage 12/9/14 from John Gussman on Vimeo.
The prize-winning “Return of the River, ” co-directed by Gussman and Jessica Plumb of Port Townsend, will be shown in the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center, 401 E. First St., in Port Angeles from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
The film documents the history of the Elwha, the decades-long efforts to remove its Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, and the restoration efforts to bring salmon runs back to the southern 70 miles of the river.
Admission is by donation. There will be a Q&A with Gussman after the film.
Another film that includes a segment on the removal of the Elwha dams also screens in Port Angeles this week.
“DamNation,” a documentary examining pride in big dams to a new awareness of how river and human health are connected, will screen in the second-floor conference room of The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave., at 7 p.m. Friday.
Admission is a $5 donation toward the Coastal Watershed Institute.
To learn more about “Return of the River” and Gussman’s other projects, click on www.elwhafilm.com; phone him at 360-808-6406 or email jgussman@dcproductions.com. Plumb can be reached at 360-821-9665, or email her at jcplumb@olypen.com.