Less than a year after the removal of four hydroelectric dams, the Klamath River, straddling the California-Oregon border, has been reborn, with life blossoming along its banks. This project, the largest of its kind in US history, was the culmination of decades of advocacy by Indigenous tribes (Yurok, Karuk, Klamath) and environmental groups. The restoration presents new challenges and joys, including facilitating public recreation, returning over 2,800 acres to the Shasta Indian Nation, and observing the rapid return of native species like coho salmon. While challenges remain, the project is seen as a hopeful sign for large-scale ecological recovery.
The river that came back to life: a journey down the reborn Klamath
CaliforniaRiversWaterOregonWest CoastEnvironmentBiodiversityUnited States
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Less than a year after the removal of four hydroelectric dams, the Klamath River, straddling the California-Oregon border, has been reborn, with life blossoming along its banks. This project, the largest of its kind in US history, was the culmination of decades of advocacy by Indigenous tribes (Yurok, Karuk, Klamath) and environmental groups. The restoration presents new challenges and joys, including facilitating public recreation, returning over 2,800 acres to the Shasta Indian Nation, and observing the rapid return of native species like coho salmon. While challenges remain, the project is seen as a hopeful sign for large-scale ecological recovery.
Trending- 1 Mid-19th century: Shasta Indian Nation massacred by gold-seeking settlers.
- 2 Early 1910s: Construction of dams on the Klamath River began.
- 3 Decades-long campaign: Yurok, Karuk, Klamath tribes, environmental NGOs, and fishing advocacy groups campaigned for dam removal.
- 4 2023: Demolition of the dams began.
- 5 Last year (2024): The final of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River were removed.
- 6 Late November 2024: Threatened coho salmon were seen in the upper Klamath River basin for the first time in over 60 years.
- 7 Mid-May 2025: First rafting trip with high spring flows on the reborn river.
- 8 May 15, 2025: First opening day for new access sites on the Klamath.
- 9 This year (2025): Close to 47,000 acres of ancestral Yurok homelands in the lower Klamath basin will be returned to the Yurok tribe.
- 10 August 1, 2025: Completion of five new public recreation sites planned.
- Ecological recovery, including the return of threatened coho salmon, insects, algae, freshwater mussels, beavers, and river otters.
- Renewal of Indigenous people's relationships with the land and culture.
- Return of over 2,800 acres to Shasta Indian Nation and 47,000 acres of ancestral Yurok homelands to the Yurok tribe.
- New challenges and opportunities for recreation and public connection with the river.
- The project serves as a hopeful sign for large-scale ecological recovery and inspires other dam removals.
What: The Klamath River has been reborn less than a year after the removal of four hydroelectric dams, leading to significant ecological recovery and the return of land to Indigenous tribes.
When: The final four dams were removed last year (implied 2024). Demolition began in 2023. Mid-May (implied 2025) marked the first rafting trip with high spring flows. May 15 (implied 2025) was the first opening day for new access sites. Coho salmon were seen in the upper basin in late November last year (implied 2024). Close to 47,000 acres of ancestral Yurok homelands are to be returned this year (implied 2025). Completion of five new public recreation sites is planned for August 1 (implied 2025). Dam construction started in the early 1910s. The Shasta Indian Nation was massacred in the mid-19th century.
Where: Klamath River, straddling the California-Oregon border, United States. Specific locations mentioned include Keno, Iron Gate dam, K’účasčas (an access site), K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon, and Ashland, Oregon.
Why: The project was the culmination of a decades-long campaign led by Indigenous tribes and environmental NGOs to remove aging hydroelectric infrastructure and restore the river's natural flow and ecosystem.
How: Four hydroelectric dams were removed. Restoration efforts include casting native seeds, removing invasive plants, trucking away mounds of earth, and carefully cultivating degraded ecosystems. The Klamath River Renewal Corporation was created to oversee the project.