Removal of two dams > 30 m from the Elwha River, on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, can provide an unprecedented opportunity to study the geomorphic and biologic consequences of this activity. Resulting information can inform management decisions regarding Elwha resources, as well as future dam removal projects. Research and monitoring priorities for each river section (above, between, and below the dams) and nearshore depend on the location-specific effects of the dams, planned active restoration efforts, and conceptions of Elwha ecosystem dynamics. Several river section- or discipline-specific workshops were held 2001 to 2005 to describe impacts to the Elwha River, potential responses to dam removal and priorities for research and monitoring. We present conceptual models based on summaries of these workshops to provide a framework to integrate and relate studies that are currently planned or are underway. We identify the need for an organizational framework – including conceptual models, study designs, data management and integrated sample designs – for research and monitoring that will increase understanding of ecosystem response, and engender additional financial support.