The Klamath River Runs Free For First Time In A Century As Largest Dam Removal In Us History Nears Completion
Tribal and conservation advocates celebrate as river is returned to historic channel; restoration activities to continue for several more years
Credit: Shane Anderson, Swiftwater Films
On August 28, 2024, the last cofferdams were broken at the former Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 dam sites, returning the Klamath river to its natural path and marking an end to a significant construction phase in the largest salmon restoration project in U.S. history.
The project is a major step toward healing a critical watershed for West Coast salmon production and is widely recognized as a Tribal justice initiative that will help revitalize the culture and economies of several Tribal Nations whose homelands are in the Klamath Basin.
“Another wall fell today. The dams that have divided the basin are now gone and the river is free. Our sacred duty to our children, our ancestors, and for ourselves, is to take care of the river, and today’s events represent a fulfillment of that obligation,” said Yurok Tribe Vice Chairman Frankie Myers.
“I am excited to be in the restoration phase of the Klamath River. Restoring hundreds of miles of spawning grounds and improving water quality will help support the return of our salmon, a healthy, sustainable food source for several Tribal Nations. This is truly a great day for the Karuk and all the Native People of the Klamath Basin,” said Russell ‘Buster’ Attebery, Chairman of the Karuk Tribe.
For the last year, four dams have been under deconstruction on the Klamath river, which traverses the California-Oregon border. Benefits of dam removal include reintroducing salmon to more than 400 miles of historic habitat, eliminating reservoirs that hosted massive blooms of toxic blue green algae each summer, and eliminating conditions that enabled fish diseases to thrive. All of these benefits are expected to support the rebound of what was once the third largest salmon fishery in the lower 48 states.
“While there is still work to be done, today we are celebrating,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the non-profit entity tasked with the removal of the dams. “Watching the Klamath River return to its historic path in the reservoirs and now through the dam sites has been incredible, and I feel honored to take this project over the finish line for our Tribal partners, and river communities.”
“Because of Klamath River dam removal, salmon can return to the Upper Klamath Basin in Oregon for the first time in over 100 years,” said Lee Rahr, Vice President of Programs, Sustainable Northwest. “This will help restore salmon runs for Tribes up and down the river, including the Klamath Tribes in Oregon. Sustainable Northwest is proud to have played a role in this Tribally-led project to restore salmon runs and healthy river flows, and support Tribal justice.”
The breaching of the final cofferdams will result in a temporary increase in sediments, similar to what was seen during the J.C Boyle cofferdam breach, completed in July of this year.
Credit: Shane Anderson, Swiftwater Films
Although the construction phase of dam removal is expected to be completed by the end of September (some remaining riverside infrastructure is still being deconstructed), restoration of the land along the river and in key tributaries that were previously covered by the reservoirs will continue for several years. Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), the company contracted to oversee the restoration, is committed to remaining active in the basin until vegetation is successfully established and the newly restored habitat is on a positive ecological trajectory.
Background
Discussions about the potential for Klamath River dam removal began in earnest more than 20 years ago, shortly after an estimated 70,000 adult salmon died in the lower river before they could spawn. The 2002 fish kill was a traumatic event for Klamath River Tribal communities. In response, Tribal members started a grassroots campaign with the goal of removing the lower four Klamath River dams as a requisite step toward restoring the watershed to health. The Bring the Salmon Home campaign called on the company that previously owned the dams, PacifiCorp, to surrender the lower four Klamath River dams for the purpose of removal.
After years of protests, lawsuits, and direct action, PacifiCorp, the States of California and Oregon, Tribal governments, conservation groups, commercial and recreational fishing organizations, and local governments reached a settlement agreement in 2016 to remove the dams. It took additional negotiations to secure final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the dam removal and restoration to proceed. FERC approved the license surrender order in November 2022, allowing the transfer of the hydropower project to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation so they could proceed with the removal.
The smallest of the four dams, Copco No. 2, was removed in 2023. The reservoirs behind the three remaining dams were drained in January of this year, carefully timed to minimize impacts on fish runs. The river has been returned to its historic path at each dam site. As of today, the Klamath River flows freely and will allow fish passage from the mouth of the river in California up to where it originates below Lake Euwana, just below Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon. Dam removal also opens access to hundreds of miles of high-quality tributaries for migrating salmon, steelhead, and other aquatic species.
More information about this historic dam removal and larger watershed-wide restoration effort is available at reconnectklamath.org.
Thank you to all of the partners working together on this dam removal and river restoration project: Klamath River Renewal Corporation, Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, American Rivers, American Whitewater, California Trout, Environmental Protection Information Center, Institute for Fisheries Resources, International Rivers, Native Fish Society, Northern California Council, Fly Fishers International, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, Salmon River Restoration Council, Save California Salmon, Sustainable Northwest, and Trout Unlimited.
Here’s what partners are saying about this momentous action:
“I’m proud that CalTrout has been at the table pushing for this crucial and pivotal river restoration project to transpire, and it is so satisfying to share the experience with partners from fellow conservation organizations, government agencies, and most especially our Indigenous and tribal partners,” said Curtis Knight, Executive Director of California Trout. “Dam removal on the Klamath River is special not just because of its magnitude and impact, but because of all the people that came together to make this happen. We started this journey 24 years ago sitting at a negotiation table. Together this amazing community of committed people are pulling off the largest dam removal and restoration project in U.S. history.”
- Curtis Knight, Executive Director, California Trout
"Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to restoring the health of the Klamath River ecosystem. The removal of the Klamath dams not only restores the natural flow of the river but also paves the way for the resurgence of the nearly extinct Klamath spring Chinook. Historically the largest run in the basin, the Klamath dams had blocked 90% of their habitat. Thanks to decades of advocacy protecting the Klamath's last wild spring Chinook genetics, these heirs to the upper basin can finally return home.”
- Amber Jamieson, Water Advocacy Director for Environmental Protection Information Center
“The Klamath River was once the third largest salmon producing river in the continental U.S., and restoring its once-abundant salmon runs has been a priority for the coastal salmon fishing families that PCFFA represents for at least four decades. With the freeing of the river for salmon to once again fully occupy it, the valuable salmon runs from the Klamath are expected to more than double in numbers – which means more salmon fishing jobs and stronger coastal salmon fishing-dependent communities as an enduring legacy of these efforts. I am proud to have been a major part of making this happen.”
- Glen Spain, NW Regional Director, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA)
"When we remove a dam, we don't just restore a river, we heal communities. This tremendous milestone is thanks to the ongoing leadership of the river's Tribes and grassroots advocates, and holds important lessons for other rivers nationwide. American Rivers named the Klamath as the River of the Year for 2024 because it proves that we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and make incredible progress by working together. American Rivers is honored to continue our work advancing restoration and partnering with communities across the watershed."
- Dr. Ann Willis, California Regional Director, American Rivers
“I am proud to say that the fly fishing community has been a part of this process for nearly 23 years, and that we joined many partners at the negotiating table who were focused on restoring the Klamath to its historical greatness. The river is now running free & in its historical channel. The fishery & river will now have a chance to begin the process of recovery. We are happy for the river, the fish, our negotiating partners, and the Tribal communities - The river people - whose lives are forever changed for the better. Never give up was our motto. It has worked.”
- Dr. Mark Rockwell, VP Conservation, Northern California Council, Fly Fishers International
“International Rivers stands in solidarity with the Klamath River Tribal communities who have championed the restoration of their ancestral waters and ways of life. This historic dam removal, improving access to over 400 miles of habitat, represents a shared victory for all who recognize nature as a living ecosystem to be cherished and protected. As the world watches the Klamath flow freely for the first time in over a century, we are witnessing a powerful example of what's possible when we prioritize ecological integrity and respect Indigenous stewardship. This victory ripples far beyond the Klamath, offering hope and inspiration for river defenders worldwide.”
- Isabella Winkler and Josh Klemm, Co-Directors, International Rivers
“Big things happen when committed people decide that failure is not an option. So today, on behalf of Klamath River salmon and steelhead and the communities that cannot live without them, we celebrate all the talented, relentless people who wouldn’t take no for an answer – the people who lit the fire, the people who worked behind the scenes, the public servants who did the right thing – all of the people who got it done when everyone said it wasn’t possible.”
- Brian J. Johnson, Senior Policy Advisor, Western Water and Climate, Trout Unlimited
“The Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations of the Klamath River have fought long and hard for the Klamath River to flow freely and begin recovering from colonization. Today’s final breach of the last dam on the river marks the beginning of a new era on the Klamath River during which Indigenous cultures can thrive alongside the many species and communities that are dependent upon the resilience of the Klamath River. We would not have reached this movement without the remarkable commitments of the Klamath Basin Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations and their many partners. We celebrate as a united Klamath Basin.”
- Amy Bowers Cordalis, Executive Director, Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group
“The removal of the Klamath River dams marks a historic moment not only for the river and the wild, native fish that rely on it, but also for the countless individuals, Tribes, community members, and organizations who have worked tirelessly for this celebrated outcome. This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and perseverance, as together we have made a lasting impact on the future of wild fish that will benefit generations to come. Native Fish Society is honored to join in celebrating of this incredible journey, and to continue our mission of working towards wild abundance throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
- Mark Sherwood, Executive Direct, Native Fish Society
“Local families, especially native families on the Klamath River, fought for generations for this day. Many of us, and our kids, grew up in the movements for fishing rights and dam removal and many local people’s childhood memories include the toxic algae and fish kills. Now our children, grandchildren, and schools are planting seeds and engaging in dam removal and restoration. Youth are learning about the local successful movement for the environment and civil rights and how powerful they can be, and have hope for the future. We are so grateful we are able to celebrate this moment with our families, and that in the near future our youth will be able to enjoy salmon and a clean river instead of having to fight so hard.”
- Regina Chichizola, Save California Salmon
“American Whitewater is pleased to celebrate today’s incredible achievement in the long journey towards dam removal. With leadership from Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples of the Klamath River watershed, we are proud to have played a part in this community-driven effort. We still have work to do and we stand ready to ensure that salmon and people have a healthy and vibrant river that we can all experience and enjoy.”
- Thomas O’Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director, American Whitewater
