Klamath River Dam Removal

Conservationists can now point to the largest dam removal project in the U.S. as a success story. The ecosystem of Washington’s Elwha River has been thriving since the removal of its hydroelectric dam system. Recent surveys show dramatic recovery, especially in the near shore at the river’s mouth, where the flow of sediment has created favorable habitat for the salmon population. A new generation of salmon species, some of which are endangered, are now present in the river. Some hope that the restoration of the Elwha River will become a shining example for the removal of dams across the U.S.

PG&E’s Potter Valley Project consists of two dams on the upper mainstem of the Eel River that block access to important high elevation habitat. These dams are coming up for re-licensing next year—a once in 50 years opportunity. CalTrout is working with Humboldt State University to assess habitat conditions above the dams—specifically how many miles of spawning and rearing habitat there is, and how many fish can be produced. Established science will legitimize and empower our demand for improved fish passage as a condition of re-licensing this dam.

Visit the Eel River Recovery Keystone Initiative page to learn more about our work headwaters-to-sea approach to bringing the Eel’s salmon and steelhead back to historic abundance.

Latest News: Matilija Dam Removal Efforts Awarded Two Grants

The Matilija dam on the Ventura River has long been on the list of obsolete dams and now, new innovative removal plans are garnering broad support. CalTrout is working with Patagonia, Surfrider Foundation, the Matilija Coalition, and Ventura County on a funding plan to get the dam removed and habitat restored for critically endangered Southern steelhead. Funding was awarded in December 2016 through California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Proposition 1 grants program to advance the project to 65% design phase and complete the environmental and permitting requirements over the next 3 years. As part of the Matilija Coalition, we were also awarded a $175K grant from the Open Rivers Fund, a program operated by Resources Legacy Fund and funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

CalTrout and partners are currently pursuing more funding opportunities to fuel the Matilija dam removal project. We are committed to this long-term effort. Support our work and help steelhead return home.

In 1918, the first dam was finished on the Klamath River, blocking hundreds of miles of spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead and salmon.  In the following years, three more dams were built.

Now, nearly a hundred years later, a deal has been signed, the funding is in place, and the dams are coming out in 2020. Now we must plan for years of habitat restoration. The removal of these four dams on the Klamath River will open up fish passage to over 400 miles of historic spawning habitat, allowing the salmon and steelhead to return home!

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Read more about the Klamath dams and the long battle for their removal in the Winter 2015 issue of The Current.