After decades of tireless advocacy, the last of the four dams on the Klamath River has been removed, restoring the river’s natural flow. This victory is the result of efforts by the Yurok and Karuk tribes, alongside environmental activists who have fought since witnessing catastrophic fish die-offs in 2002.
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The Klamath River is located in the western United States, flowing from southern Oregon through northern California. It spans approximately 263 miles (423 km), beginning in the high desert of Oregon and emptying into the Pacific Ocean near the town of Klamath, California
The project, which started in 2023, will be fully concluded in a few days with remaining work focused on removing debris and restoring the natural river channels.
The decision was finalized when PacifiCorp, the utility that owned the dams, determined it was cheaper to remove them than meet environmental regulations.
The removal marks a historic turning point, bringing life back to over 400 miles of the river's habitat and enabling salmon to return to their ancestral spawning grounds.
This is a massive win for biodiversity. With the river free-flowing, water quality will improve, salmon populations will begin to recover, and healthier ecosystems will emerge.
Klamath River undamming creates a blueprint for river restoration worldwide.