Regarding the recent article addressing Snake River dam removal (“Analysis: What if the lower Snake dams come out?” , April 17): During 2018 and 2019, I, along with three students from Clatsop Community College, were involved in a project with the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. The project involved hiking up four undammed streams feeding into Willapa Bay during the fall spawning season to count salmon.

We monitored the streams regularly during this period, and counted only one salmon during the entire two-year project. Similar results are found in other Pacific Northwest rivers and streams. The ranger we were working with said that in the past, “one could walk on the backs of salmon” in these streams.

Without question, dams are not good for salmon. However, our study raises a flag that something else is also responsible for the demise of salmon. Marine biologists tell us that ocean warming is seriously stressing fish populations.

The lower Snake River dams cited for removal provide clean, renewable energy to thousands of homes. Without the dams, agriculture will use more energy for irrigation. Furthermore, farm produce will have to be trucked and trained rather than floated downriver, adding significant amounts of pollution to the atmosphere and traffic to our roads.

Climate warming is the most serious issue humankind has ever faced. Since the benefits to salmon are questionable, let’s think carefully before we spend billions of taxpayer dollars to remove such a vital source of clean energy.

ED JOYCE

Astoria