History is being made right now on the Klamath River. By the end of 2024, four Klamath River dams will be removed — the largest dam removal and river restoration project in U.S. history. We talk with Amy Cordalis, a member of the Yurok tribe, about tribal empowerment, what a restored Klamath River means to native people, and her optimism for the future. Mark Bransom of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation also joins the conversation to walk us through the dam removal process, what we can expect from sediment release from the reservoirs, and post dam removal restoration activities. Join us for this deep dive into the Klamath with an extended episode of the Fish Water People podcast.
Stay tuned as the Fish Water People podcast continues with more conversations with people from around the state and beyond.
The Fish Water People podcast is brought to you by California Trout and Bridget Shaw and Drew Alvarez at Pusher Inc. with music from Wilco. Thanks for listening & subscribing!
Cover Photo: Copco 1 removal. Credit: Shane Anderson
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.
1 Comment
Such an outstanding update on the Klamath dam removal project. Wonderful blending of the tribal perspective with a deep dive on KRRC process and plans. Very inspiring and informative. Great job, Curtis! — Frank Eldredge