I was down by Granite Point on the Lower Granite reservoir where I and many Washington State University and University of Idaho students did or usually go swimming and it is full of toxic algae, this is in line with the other reservoirs along the Upper and Lower Snake River. Signs say don’t go in the water, eat the fish, let your animals in the water. What about all the wildlife that drink the reservoir water? How is that affecting their health?

This issue continues to push the only solution to salmon recovery: clean water in the reservoirs that we all need as living organisms. Even the hydropower generated at all the federally owned dams are paid for by us taxpayers. How come we don’t get free electric? Even the Dams on the Lower Snake, where does that power go? Does it stay in the local community or does the Bonneville Power Industry sell it on the Grid to other states or the highest bidder? The hydro-electric system on the Snake River is not only a hazard but a waste of money. We need to develop alternative energy that doesn’t cause salmon to go extinct or create toxic lakes from algae.

Julian Matthews

Pullman

The Spokesman-Review: Clean water the answer to salmon recovery