Klamath River Reclaims Over 400 Miles of Habitat Following Historic Dam Removals

KLAMATH, CA – The Klamath River is experiencing a significant ecological resurgence following the completion of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Four hydroelectric dams – J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate – have been successfully dismantled, reopening over 400 miles of vital upstream habitat for salmon and other native fish species that had been blocked for nearly a century. The project, completed ahead of schedule and within its estimated budget of approximately $500 million, marks a monumental achievement in river restoration.

The effort to remove the dams was largely spearheaded by the Yurok, Karuk, and Klamath tribes, who have campaigned for decades to restore the river's health and traditional salmon runs critical to their cultural heritage and sustenance. "Our áama, ancestral companions, can now return to over 400 miles of unleashed spawning grounds," stated Chairman Russell ‘Buster’ Attebery of the Karuk Tribe, highlighting the profound impact on tribal communities. The dams, built between 1918 and 1964, severely degraded water quality and decimated fish populations, with Chinook salmon numbers plummeting by over 90%.

Early indicators suggest a rapid positive response from the ecosystem. Within weeks of the final in-water work at Iron Gate Dam, more than 6,000 Chinook salmon were observed migrating upstream into newly accessible areas, according to Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC). This swift return of fish underscores the resilience of the river and the immediate benefits of removing the obstructions.

The project involved complex engineering and environmental management, including the controlled draining of reservoirs and the careful removal of accumulated sediment. Restoration efforts are now underway to revegetate the 2,200 acres of land formerly submerged by the reservoirs, using billions of native seeds collected by tribal members and restoration crews. This comprehensive approach aims to fully restore the river's natural processes and biodiversity.

Funding for the ambitious undertaking came from a combination of surcharges on PacifiCorp customers and California state bond money, demonstrating a collaborative commitment to environmental restoration. The success of the Klamath River project is being watched globally as a blueprint for future large-scale river revitalization initiatives, offering hope for other dammed waterways worldwide.