Klamath River flows free as last dams are removed, benefiting tribes and salmon

PHOENIX — The Klamath River, which flows at the California-Oregon border, has seen the successful demolition of the final of four dams that had long threatened its salmon populations. This milestone marks a significant triumph for tribes and environmental advocates who have dedicated decades to restoring the river.

Brook Thompson, a member of the Yurok Tribe, was only seven years old when she witnessed the catastrophic fish kill in 2002 on the Klamath River. Now at 28, she recalls the horror of seeing thousands of dead fish floating in the water, many roughly her size.

“It was devastating seeing thousands of dead bodies in the river,” Thompson expressed. This tragic event ignited a movement among the Yurok, Karuk, Hupa, and Klamath Tribes to advocate for the river’s revival. Their mission: to eliminate the four dams that obstructed the river’s natural flow and contributed to the perilous algae blooms responsible for the 2002 disaster.

Recently, the last obstacle was removed, with the breach of coffer dams that redirected water from the last two aging hydroelectric dams still undergoing demolition. This allowed the Klamath River to reclaim its historical path and open up 400 miles of spawning and nursery habitats for salmon.

The moment the coffer dams at Iron Gate and Copco I were breached, supporters of the river erupted with cheers, filled with elation as the water flowed through its ancient channel. This event heralds the convergence of a more than 20-year battle to dismantle the dams, known as the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.

The Klamath River has faced over a century of adverse mismanagement and injustices against tribal communities, including the construction of dams on traditional Shasta Nation lands and modifications to the Upper Klamath Basin for agricultural purposes. This led to an influx of phosphorus into Upper Klamath Lake, which eventually polluted the river.

The drastic decline in fish populations, which plummeted by about 95%, prompted the federal government to implement protections for certain salmon species.

As salmon numbers dwindled, so did the cultural spirit of the Native peoples who have lived along the Klamath for centuries. Salmon is integral to the lives of the Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Shasta, Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Paiute peoples. They marked the passage of seasons by the annual salmon runs, relying on the fish, as well as acorns, berries, and coastal seaweed for sustenance.

In addition to the adverse environmental impact, the dams, alongside fire suppression, overwhelming industrial activities, and alterations to the basin, inflicted heavy damage on tribal communities. As access to their traditional foods diminished, profound despair settled in, leading to rising suicide rates and increases in domestic violence, substance abuse, and health issues related to poor nutrition. Thompson noted that many of her friends passed away before turning 30.

Jeff Mitchell, a member of the Klamath Tribes and a tireless advocate for over 50 years, emphasized the consequences of the dams. “The dams completely wiped out our fisheries and ruined the water quality,” Mitchell stated, noting that salmon and steelhead accounted for a quarter of the tribe’s subsistence needs.

Government initiatives that altered the Sprague River and drained its wetlands introduced significant phosphorous loads into Upper Klamath Lake, which led to hypereutrophic conditions. These conditions fueled toxic algal blooms, detrimentally affecting local fish populations, particularly the endangered c’waam and koptu sucker fish, which are central to the Klamath tribes’ culture and diet.

Following the catastrophic fish kill in 2002, caused by toxic algae from the dams, tribal leaders rallied to restore the river and their communities. The “Undam the Klamath” campaign was launched, uniting tribes, environmentalists, and allies, who collectively pressured legislative bodies and corporations for action.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission provided the final green light for the removal of the lower four Klamath River dams in November 2023, and demolition commenced shortly thereafter. With the final coffer dams dismantled, migratory fish now have unobstructed access to Upper Klamath Lake, the Sprague, and Williamson Rivers.

The full deconstruction of remaining riverside structures is anticipated to wrap up by the end of September. Initiatives led by Resource Environmental Solutions will further restore lands and tributaries previously submerged under polluted waters, working toward healing the river and revitalizing long-dormant salmon spawning areas.

Thompson reflected on the impact of the dam removal on tribal youth, who now see tangible outcomes of their tribe’s progress. She believes this inspires a sense of agency in them, highlighting that they can contribute to solutions for their communities.

The Shasta Indian Nation also approaches a new beginning as it nears an agreement with California to restore 2,800 acres of land previously submerged due to the reservoirs.

Although the initial rush of water brought temporary loss in quality due to suspended sediment and dead algae, Klamath River Restoration Corporation representatives assured that natural processes would quickly clear the river. The salmon population downstream remains unaffected by the sediment wave thus far.

Even as joy fills the air, Mitchell emphasized that the work is just beginning. Ensuring the salmon, steelhead, and other migratory fish return as staples of the Klamath Tribes’ diet requires continued efforts. “We’ve got to make sure the fish have a real home,” he remarked, reminding us of the interconnectedness inherent in the river’s ecosystem.

Source: Arizona Republic