The Klamath River has become a global symbol of environmental restoration following the completion of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. This ambitious initiative has captured worldwide attention as it redefines what is possible in terms of ecosystem restoration, Indigenous rights, and the future of salmon recovery.
The media spotlight on the Klamath restoration is already inspiring action on other environmental projects. In the Pacific Northwest, debates about the removal of Snake River dams have gained traction, with advocates citing the Klamath’s success as evidence of the feasibility and benefits of such initiatives. Locally, advocates of Eel River dam removal are similarly drawing on the Klamath’s example.
But the Klamath’s success is influencing river advocates and Indigenous communities all over the world. According to the conservation group International Rivers, “…Klamath removal has sparked a conversation in Latin America, Africa, and Asia about what to do with their aging dam fleets. This is particularly true since the Derna dam disaster in Libya last year exposed the risks that aging dams face in an era of extreme weather caused by climate change.”
Much of the news coverage this year focused on either the superlative nature of the project or presented it as a David and Goliath story of Tribes versus energy giants, the Klamath is now telling a different story – one of nature’s resilience. Almost overnight the Klamath River began to show signs of recovery. Days after the dams were breached, salmon returned to spawn in areas over 60 miles upstream of the former dam site. This story was captured recently by the Associated Press as the reporter observed hundreds of Chinook salmon were observed laying eggs in newly accessible tributaries shortly after the dams’ removal.
Water quality improvements have also been immediate. Harmful algal blooms, exacerbated by stagnant reservoirs, are diminishing, creating a healthier environment for aquatic species and water temperatures are lower which is good for salmon. The Karuk Tribe’s Fisheries program manager Toz Soto has noted the promising signs of recovery, reinforcing optimism for the river’s long-term ecological health. “All in all, the fish that came up this year were really healthy,” Soto said at a recent press conference. “I didn’t see fish with bacterial infections and things like that, so water temperature’s already having an impact on the fishes’ health.”
Lessons for the Future
The Klamath River restoration is not only a historic environmental success but also a model for collaborative natural resource management. The partnerships among Tribal governments, environmental organizations, and corporate stakeholders demonstrate how diverse interests can align to address complex ecological challenges.
The extensive media coverage of the project has amplified its impact, inspiring public and political support for similar efforts worldwide. As the salmon return to the Klamath, they symbolize resilience and the possibility of reversing environmental damage through collective action.
The Klamath’s story is a powerful reminder that bold, visionary projects can reshape ecosystems and serve as a beacon of hope for global conservation efforts.
Below are a few highlights in case you missed them:
For a great podcast that features local campaigners and scientist telling the story starting from the 2002 Klamath Fish Kill to the breaching of the dams in October, check out “Bringing the Salmon Home: The Story of the World’s Largest Dam Removal Project” by Gastropod.
Earlier this year the Washington Post examined the broader implications of the project in its article “Klamath River Dam Removal Hopes to Undo Decades of Ecological Destruction” The coverage underscored the project’s potential as a blueprint for similar restoration initiatives globally.
A good summary of how fish have responded immediately to dam removal and what scientists have planned next can be found in this great piece in The Revelator by Juliette Grabel, “Salmon have Returned above the Klamath River Dams: Now What?
And for those that want an even deeper dive, author Stephen Most just published a 20th anniversary edition of his classic, River of Renewal: Myth and History of the Klamath Basin, with two new chapters on dam removal. It is the seminal work on the modern history of the fish and water crisis in the Klamath Basin.