Protection of critical habitat is another key aspect of salmon conservation. While numerous human activities impact habitat, few are as destructive to salmon populations as hydroelectric dams. That is because these dams, by definition, block passageways for migrating salmon swimming upriver to spawn.

NASF plays a major role opposing hydroelectric dams on salmon rivers. One such example is the proposed Hvammsvirkjun dam on the river Thjorsa. Thjorsa is home to the largest stock of Atlantic salmon in Iceland. The proposed dam would cause serious migration barriers and vastly increase smolt mortality.

NASF and its partners are challenging proposals that would obscure salmon migrations. From outreach to policy makers and government agencies to challenges in court, NASF works hard to ensure that valuable waterways remain navigable for the salmon of today and tomorrow.