 A May 1965 article in The Atlantic magazine by author Paul Brooks illustrated the growing protests of conservationists concerned about the project . After traveling the Yukon River , Brooks hypothesized that construction of the dam would be catastrophic from an ecological and human standpoint , would cost an exorbitant amount of money , and that the claims of attracting industry and tourism to Alaska were greatly exaggerated . In real terms , he estimated that construction of the dam would eliminate the habitat for 1 @.@ 5 million ducks , 12 @,@ 500 geese , 10 @,@ 000 cranes , 270 @,@ 000 salmon , 12 @,@ 000 moose , and seven percent of Alaska 's fur @-@ bearing animals . Similar articles appeared in magazines such as Field and Stream , which called the project " a catastrophe of major proportions " , and the Audubon Society Magazine , said the dam " would negate 30 years of endeavor in waterfowl preservation . Even sporting magazine Sports Illustrated got into the act , asking if the cost of so many waterfowl would be worth building the dam . 
