After a decades-long battle on Washington State’s Elwha River, a coalition of environmentalists, scientists and locals succeed in having two dams demolished. Six years later, scientists are monitoring the river and larger ecosystem as they recover from a century of abuse. And one of the best ways to do the research? Snorkeling Class III whitewater.

Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto  •  Escape by Fitz Cahall & Cordelia Zars  •  Snowmen by Kai Engel  •  Clouds by Cordelia Zars  •  Primary Colors by Ken Christianson  •  I Am Faint by Ken Christianson  •  Happy Little Dance by Ken Christianson  •  Delivered by Brendan O’Connell  •  Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.