Dams Out: Klamath Dams

Wild and Scenic Mokelumne River

Big News for the Klamath!

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today approved the transfer of the license for the Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project (Project) from PacifiCorp to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation and the states of Oregon and California, as co-licensees. This is a crucial step towards achieving a free-flowing river and getting the four lower Klamath dams removed, […]

Challenges in the Klamath Basin

The Klamath Basin is currently suffering from a water and fish crisis, and tensions are rising among the community. The severe drought the West is in is devastating farmland, wildlife, and fish that are deemed sacred to native tribes. This area, along the Oregon-California border, has a complex history. Drought and fights over water are […]

The Future of Hydropower

Dams have a notorious reputation; there’s a long history of environmental damage caused by dams, from blocking migrating fish to withdrawing access to Indigenous people. Yet, dams do boost some positive impact from the electricity they generate; this is energy free of planet-warming climate emissions. It’s safe to say then that the controversy surrounding dams […]

Drought Causing Water Competition in the Klamath Basin

California is in the second year of a drought. According to the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, “Northern California has received about 48% of average historical precipitation for this time of year.  This is the 3rd driest water year on record, so far.  Only 1924 and 1977 were drier in precipitation over the last […]

Removal of Klamath Dams to Restore River Basin

The Klamath River Basin was once home to one of the West’s most prolific salmon fisheries. But for more than a century, efforts to harness the natural power of the river through the installation of hydroelectric dams, have contributed to devastating declines in water quality, the region’s anadromous fisheries, and the tribal, recreational, and commercial […]

McCloud River Deserves Protection from Shasta Dam Raise

The epic McCloud River runs approximately 50 miles from the spring-fed headwaters southeast of Mount Shasta into the Shasta Reservoir. Before Shasta Dam (completed in 1944) blocked the return of anadromous fish, the McCloud River was one of the most productive salmon and steelhead waters in the Sacramento Watershed. Home to the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, […]

Trout Clout: California’s Rivers and Fish Need Your Voice

California’s Rivers and Fish Need Your Voice The California Natural Resources Agency is seeking public input to inform their work to protect California’s vast network of natural and working lands in the fight against climate change. This effort is part of advancing Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20, also known as 30×30. What is 30×30? Governor […]

The Future of California Water: Discussion with Felicia Marcus and Gia Schneider

CalTrout Watershed and Legacy Circle members and partners joined together last Thursday for an informative discussion on the visions for the future of California water. With a zoom room of visionaries themselves, we had a lively time! You can listen to the interviews with our guests Gia Schneider of Natel Energy and Felicia Marcus the […]

Transforming an Ecosystem

In the mountains of coastal Orange County, within Cleveland National Forest, a five-year project is underway to remove 81 small-sized dams across four streams. California Trout is leading an important role in this large, multi-partner and multi-level project, which addresses a key initiative for our organization: reconnecting habitat. We aim to give salmon and steelhead […]

Momentous Public Lands Bill Passes the House

CalTrout is thrilled to announce some exciting news on the forefront for our nation’s public lands. Today, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act (aka: PAW Act). The bill’s sponsors, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), Judy Chu (D-Pasadena), and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) came together […]