Water Is Freely Flowing Down The Klamath River For First Time In 100 Years

The largest dam removal in US history is happening now.

After years of advocacy from Indigenous groups and environmentalists, dams along the Klamath River are being removed, allowing water to flow freely again. This offers new hope for the region’s iconic salmon.

The Klamath River, stretching 414 kilometers (257 miles) between Oregon and northwestern California, was once the West Coast’s third-largest salmon-producing river. It sustained Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead trout, crucial for the Yurok and Karuk tribes.

PacifiCorp’s dams, built from 1911 to 1962, caused a sharp decline in fish stocks by halting essential water flows needed to flush out toxins and diseases.

Now, with the dams nearing the end of their lifespan, their removal aims to revive the river’s ecosystem.

For decades, the Yurok Tribe relied on Klamath River salmon, vital for food and cultural identity. Intense efforts followed a devastating Chinook salmon die-off in 2002, culminating in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision in 2022 to decommission the dams.

“This river reach will soon see salmon migration for spawning,” said Yurok Vice Chairman Frankie Myers.

Decommissioning began with the release of water behind three dams last week, marking the river’s first unrestricted flow in a century.

“Seeing the river flow freely after more than a century is monumental,” Myers remarked.

Yet, challenges lie ahead. Climate change brings droughts and wildfires that threaten salmon recovery.

While dam removal promises a resurgence, Klamath River salmon still face uncertainties.