PHOENIX — The last of four dams that severely harmed salmon populations on the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border was taken down last week. This marks a significant win for tribes and environmentalists who have worked for decades to restore the river.
Brook Thompson, a member of the Yurok Tribe, was just 7 years old when she witnessed the devastating fish kill on the Klamath River in 2002. Now 28, Thompson recalled seeing thousands of dead fish and has since been part of a 20-year effort to remove the dams that caused the tragedy by promoting the growth of harmful algae.
With the final dam removed on Tuesday, the Klamath River is once again flowing freely. The demolition of the last two outdated hydroelectric dams and the removal of coffer dams have reopened up to 400 miles of salmon spawning and nursery habitats.
Tribal members and river advocates celebrated as the waters flowed through the river’s ancient channel. This marks the end of a more than 20-year battle and the start of a new chapter in restoring the Klamath Basin.
For over a century, the river has suffered from mismanagement and injustices, including dam construction on ancestral lands, changes for agriculture, and pollution. These actions drastically reduced fish populations and harmed tribal communities who depend on salmon for food and cultural practices.
The removal of the dams is a crucial step toward recovery, but challenges remain. The Klamath Tribes and their allies continue to work on restoring the river and its ecosystem. The Shasta Indian Nation is also preparing to reclaim 2,800 acres of land lost to the dams.
Though there was a temporary drop in water quality due to silt and old algae, the river is expected to clear quickly. The focus now is to ensure that fish populations thrive and the Klamath River Basin remains healthy and sustainable.