Breaching salmon dams would cost billions to replace lost power, irrigation

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The benefits provided by four giant hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River in Washington state can be replaced if the dams are breached to save endangered salmon runs, according to a report released this month.

But it would be expensive.

Finding other ways to provide electricity, irrigation and enabling commerce would cost between $10.3 billion and $27.2 billion, said the report commissioned by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state.

The draft report does not make any recommendations on whether the four dams should be breached. A de...