Portland General Electric has begun demolition of the Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, the largest dam removal in the Pacific Northwest in 40 years. It is the first phase in Portland General Electric’s $17 million Bull Run Hydroelectric Project “decommissioning” plan, which also provides for the removal of PGE’s Little Sandy Dam next summer. The removal will improve salmon and wildlife habitat.

“Today, this partnership took a great step toward restoring a breathtaking river for fish, wildlife and people,” said PGE CEO and President Peggy Fowler. “We celebrate the future of a watershed that will provide unimpeded salmon and steelhead passage from the slopes of Mt. Hood to the Pacific Ocean.”

Demolition of the Marmot Dam should take about two months. The concrete chunks will be recycled for road surfacing.

At 22 megawatts, Bull Run is one of PGE’s smallest generating facilities, and its power has already been replaced with wind power and other sources.