River Ways presents a collage of personal perspectives concerning the proposed removal of four dams on the Snake River in Eastern Washington. Environmental groups and fishing interests criticize the dams for their negative impact on salmon populations, but agricultural communities dependent on the dams oppose efforts to remove them. River Ways examines the lives of ordinary people whose futures depend on whether the dams come out or remain. Frank, a Native American fisherman, struggles to make ends meet in the face of dwindling salmon numbers. Ben, a family farmer in Washington, fears the effect of dam removal on his business. And Mark, a commercial fisherman, hangs on to an industry in economic decline. Other subjects include environmental activists, irrigators, sport fishermen, and salmon biologists.