The Klamath River Flows Free for First Time in 100+ Years

The Klamath River is free flowing for the first time in over one hundred years! Today, the cofferdam was broken at the former Iron Gate Dam site, marking the completion of the construction phase of the largest dam removal and river restoration project in U.S. history. 

Dam removal unlocks access to hundreds of miles of historic habitat for native salmon and steelhead, improves water quality for humans and non-humans alike, and marks a step towards restoring a place critical to the cultural life-ways of Indigenous peoples who have lived along the river since time immemorial.

“I’m proud that CalTrout has been at the table pushing for this crucial and pivotal river restoration project to transpire, and it is so satisfying to share the experience with partners from fellow conservation organizations, government agencies, and most especially our Indigenous and tribal partners,” said Curtis Knight, Executive Director of California Trout. “Dam removal on the Klamath River is special not just because of its magnitude and impact, but because of all the people that came together to make this happen. We started this journey 24 years ago sitting at a negotiation table. Together this amazing community of committed people are pulling off the largest dam removal and restoration project in U.S. history.”

The CalTrout team witnessing the cofferdam breach (left to right): Executive Director Curtis Knight, Project Manager James Whelan, Regional Director Damon Goodman

Although the construction phase of dam removal is expected to be completed by the end of September (some remaining riverside infrastructure is still being deconstructed), restoration of the land along the river and in key tributaries that were previously covered by the reservoirs will continue for several years. Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), the company contracted to oversee the restoration, is committed to remaining active in the basin until vegetation is successfully established and the newly restored habitat is on a positive ecological trajectory.

As fish begin to return to waters that have been inaccessible for over a century, we will be ready to monitor fish migration and assess the efficacy of this monumental restoration effort. In July 2024, CalTrout and our partners launched the Klamath River Monitoring Program to build our understand of dam removal including how fish repopulate newly opened habitat and how they recover from landscape level restoration. The project team consists of a diverse group of interests including tribes, governmental entities, and non-profits.

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