Ultimately, salmon recovery might depend on dam removal and several other recovery efforts, conservationists claim.

CNN: Dam removal: Too little, too late for salmon?

"In certain cases dam removal is the best alternative from an economic standpoint as well, " said Johnson.

CNN: Study opens floodgates on dam removal

In fact, dam removal is the only recovery action that would provide substantial benefits for all listed stocks.

CNN: Salmon Swimming

"Alternatives to dam removal may be both more economically painful than dam removal and less effective, " he said.

CNN: Salmon Swimming

The report makes clear that dam removal is not appropriate for all or even most of the nation's dams.

CNN: Study opens floodgates on dam removal

The resolution is non-binding, meaning the Army Corp of Engineers is not required to end consideration of dam removal.

CNN: Snake River dam resolution called unfair

The report indicates that dam removal is often less costly than dam repair.

CNN: Study opens floodgates on dam removal

According to American Rivers, the National Marine Fisheries service continues to down play the importance of dam removal by underestimating dam-related salmon mortality.

CNN: Salmon Swimming

Conservation groups have long claimed that alternative isn't working, and point instead to dam removal as the ultimate solution to restoring the region's salmon and steelhead.

CNN: Energy crisis affects Snake River dam proposal

The list of improvements (to salmon recovery) goes on with recommendations of everything possible short of dam removal, but will these second-place actions together be enough to recover Idaho's salmon and steelhead?

CNN: Dam removal: Too little, too late for salmon?

As an alternative to dam removal, the BPA is required by the current federal biological opinion on salmon recovery, to provide minimum flow and spill levels to help salmon survive the dams.

CNN: Energy crisis affects Snake River dam proposal

One such success story in the report is the removal of Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in Maine.

CNN: Study opens floodgates on dam removal