After decades of activism and negotiation, the largest dam removal project in U.S. history has been completed, reopening more than 400 miles of the Klamath River. The final dam was dismantled at the end of August 2024, marking a major milestone for environmental and tribal advocates.
The Klamath River, once a vital salmon-producing waterway, had been obstructed by the JC Boyle, Copco 1, Copco 2, and Iron Gate dams, built by PacifiCorp. For nearly 100 years, these dams blocked access to critical habitats, leading to dramatic declines in salmon populations—fall chinook numbers plummeted by over 90%, and spring chinook by 98%. The Yurok tribe, deeply connected to the river and its salmon, had long campaigned for the dams’ removal, viewing it as essential for the survival of their culture and way of life.
The dismantling of these dams, a project estimated to cost $450 million, involved extensive coordination among tribal, local, state, and federal stakeholders. The removal began in October 2023, following a 12-year delay from an initial agreement signed in 2010. The process has seen significant progress, though challenges remain.
“We were told it was never going to happen,” recalls Brook Thompson, a Yurok tribal member who played a key role in the campaign. “We were asking for four removals, and now we’ve achieved it.”
As the reservoirs emptied, the newly exposed land—2,200 acres in total—presents a new challenge: restoration. The area, which had been submerged for a century, needs ecological rehabilitation. The Yurok tribe, alongside Resource Environmental Solutions, is spearheading this effort. Extensive planning and seed collection began as early as 2011, with native species prepared for revegetation to restore the land and support the river’s recovery.
“The river is already showing signs of rejuvenation,” says Oscar Gensaw, a Yurok fisherman. “We expect healthier fish runs in a couple of years as the ecosystem repairs itself.”
The restoration efforts are focused on ensuring the river’s long-term health and sustainability. The tribe aims for the chinook salmon population to recover by an average of 81% by 2061. This ambitious restoration project underscores the profound connection between the Yurok people and the Klamath River, emphasizing the river’s role in their culture and survival.
This historic project represents a significant victory for environmental and tribal advocacy, with ongoing efforts to restore both the river and the land it supports.
