The Klamath River, which flows through parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California, has four aging hydroelectric dams which have blocked salmon and steelhead fish from reaching more than 300 miles of potential spawning and rearing habitat. Removal of the river’s four dams – J.C. Boyle, Copco 1, Copco 2, and Iron Gate have been the subject of national attention for nearly two decades
Last week however, progress was been made towards the most significant dam removal effort in US history when the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) filed its “Definite Plan for the Lower Klamath Project” with the Federal Regulatory energy Commission (FERC).
The Definite Plan is a 2,300-page document that provides comprehensive analysis and detail on project design, deconstruction, reservoir restoration, and other post-deconstruction activities. Additional topics covered include plans to: manage construction impacts, manage impacts to groundwater wells, perform flood-proofing, improve roads and bridges, provide recreation opportunities, replace the City of Yreka water line, protect aquatic resources, and provide for ongoing fish hatchery operations.
Dam removal is projected to improve water quality and revive flagging salmon and steelhead fisheries on this major river system. Removal additionally provides economic benefit to the region by creating local jobs and boosting tourism and recreation in the area. A study released by the US Geological Survey in 2017 demonstrated fish are eager to return to the upper reaches of watersheds after dam removal, even if the areas have been blocked for decades or more. The study showed that historic upstream habitat can be recolonized by fish in a matter of weeks after access is restored.
Restoration activities outlined in the Definite Plan will include improving habitat along the river. CalTrout has been active in the region and has, among other projects, partnered with ranchers along the Scott and Shasta Rivers – two Klamath River tributaries – to improve conditions for migratory fish that are likely to return to the system once the dams are removed.
“After more than a decade of working toward removal of these four problematic dams, it’s exciting to see KRRC taking concrete steps toward making this vision a reality,” said Curtis Knight, executive director of CalTrout and one of the original negotiators involved in the development of terms of the Klamath settlement agreements, including the agreement that shaped how and when the dams would be removed.
The Klamath River was once the source of significant salmon and steelhead runs. Opening up the lower reaches of the river through this process will be invaluable in the effort to recover these fish runs. – Curtis Knight
“CalTrout’s goal is to find constructive solutions that support the needs of fish and people,” added Drew Braugh, Mt. Shasta/Klamath program director for California Trout. “This recent milestone in the dam removal process is an important step in the right direction. And our ongoing work with ranchers and farmers will help to ensure that conditions will be as good as possible for these fish when they finally have a chance to access large swaths of the Klamath watershed for the first time in over a century.”
CalTrout has been and continues to be deeply involved in the effort to identify a way forward in the Klamath Basin that respects the needs, rights and values of residents, Tribes, ranchers and farmers, and conservationists who are all invested in the future of this region.
More information about KRRC and its mission can be found at KRRC’s website: www.klamathrenewal.org.
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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.