Planning study news
WSDOT is finalizing its study analyzing how freight, rail and barge traffic might change if the dams are removed. Join us at one of the following open houses to learn more about the findings:
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5-7:00 p.m. at the Whitman County Library, 102 South Main Street, Colfax
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5-7:00 p.m. at the Clarkston High School Library, 401 Chestnut Street, Clarkston
Thursday, Oct. 8, 5-7:00 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Libraries Pasco Branch, 1320 West Hopkins Street, Pasco
Purpose
The Snake River from Clarkston to Pasco contains four dams (Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite). There has been much interest in the removal of these dams for the benefit of salmon, steelhead, Pacific lamprey, bull trout, sturgeon and other native fish species. While there have been several studies that address the topic of removing the dams, there is limited understanding of how transportation would be affected.
As such, the Legislature (see ESHB 2134, Section 217 (9)) directed WSDOT to conduct an analysis of highway, road and freight rail transportation needs, options and impacts of shifting the movement of freight and goods that currently move by barge to truck and rail. This study will fulfill the Legislature's request.
Upcoming engagement opportunities
For updates on the study, join our GovDelivery. You can view upcoming engagement activities in the public engagement calendar of events (PDF 188KB).
You can find quarterly reports and other resources in the Outcomes tab below.
Recent studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration (July 2020) and another by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (September 2022) explored in detail the benefits and drawbacks of many aspects of removing the lower Snake River dams. While the Corps study investigated transportation impacts (see the Transportation discussion under MO3), the NOAA study did not.
Because the transportation impacts of removing the lower Snake River dams were not sufficiently addressed in those prior studies, the Legislature directed WSDOT to conduct an analysis of highway, road and freight rail transportation needs, options and impacts from shifting the movement of freight and goods that currently move by barge through the lower Snake River dams to highways, other roads and rail.
The study generated volume estimates and evaluated scenarios for the infrastructure and operational changes needed to address those additional volumes. The assessment included quantitative analysis based on available financial and carbon-emission cost data. The analysis also included a robust inclusive public engagement process to solicit feedback from interested community members.
The Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Study consisted of four phases with community engagement activities occurring throughout the study.
Study overview
Phase 1 – Understanding Needs
Phase 2 – Impacts and Safety
Phase 3 – Competitive and Regulatory Impact
Phase 4 – Draft and Final Report
Phase 1: Understanding Needs was completed in spring 2025. The team released a Phase 1 status report in December 2024 (see the "Outcomes" tab below). The report includes an analysis of existing freight, rail, and roadway traffic movement and volumes. During Phase 1, the study team collected information from companies that produce and move goods on the Lower Snake River to develop a Total Logistics Cost (TLC) Model. The team used this model throughout the study to evaluate how the transportation network may need to adapt to continue moving goods into and out of Eastern Washington.
Phase 2: Infrastructure Impacts evaluated scenarios to understand how the rail and roadway network could be affected if the dams were removed and freight transportation shifted from barges to rail and trucks. For each scenario, the team identified potential transportation improvements and mitigation options, along with cost estimates for these mitigations. The team also analyzed potential impacts on geology, rail infrastructure, roadways, utilities, river sedimentation, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation safety.
Phase 3: Regulatory and Competitive Impacts focused on considerations and impacts related to the potential transportation improvement scenarios. The study team identified state and federal regulatory considerations for each scenario, how shifting goods movement may affect commodity flows, and the potential impacts of reduced competition among goods-movement modes.
Phase 4: Report involved preparing the study report, which is a thorough compilation of the study’s analysis and results.
Throughout the study, the team engaged communities through in-person and online open houses, project updates, and two advisory committees: the Technical Advisory Committee and the Community Advisory Committee. These committees met at key milestones to provide input on the study's analysis, findings, and community engagement activities.
The study team formed two advisory committees: the Technical Advisory Committee and the Community Advisory Committee. These groups meet at key milestones throughout the study to provide additional review and input for data analysis and community engagement.
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee reviewed study elements and represented their organization/agencies interests. Their primary role is to ensure that the study is using the most up-to-date local, regional, and state data. This includes keeping agency partners informed about technical and policy work and helping the study team understand local, regional, state and tribal needs. The Technical Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from various organizations, federal, state and local representatives, and businesses.
Community Advisory Committee
The Community Advisory Committee represented organizational and governmental interests and reviewed community engagement approaches within the study. Their primary role was to ensure that the study considers current local policy and maintains strong community engagement and outreach. This included keeping local organizational stakeholders and government offices informed about the study and engagement opportunities, as well as helping the study team understand local, regional, state and tribal needs. The committee included representatives from various local organizations and local elected officials.