Klamath River Restoration: Major Dam Removal Completed in US

The removal of four major dams on the Klamath River marks a significant milestone in ecological restoration efforts, culminating in August 2024 after decades of activism by the Yurok tribe. These dams had obstructed access to nearly 400 miles of critical salmon habitat for almost a century, leading to a drastic decline in salmon populations, with fall chinook numbers dropping by over 90%. The Yurok tribe, known as the salmon people, had to import salmon from Alaska for their annual festival due to the dire situation. The restoration process is now underway, beginning with the planting of 18 billion seeds, a task that requires careful species selection and planning. The project is being managed by Resource Environmental Solutions, an ecological restoration company, and is seen as a vital step towards revitalizing the river ecosystem. The challenges faced in seed collection highlight the complexity of restoration efforts, as the team had to wait for the right conditions to gather sufficient seeds. The Yurok tribe's involvement in this project is crucial, as it emphasizes the importance of indigenous leadership in ecological restoration. The tribe's historical connection to the land and their long-standing fight for the river's health underscore the significance of this moment. As the river begins to heal, the focus will shift to understanding the long-term impacts of these changes on the ecosystem and the community. The removal of the dams is just the beginning of a broader restoration effort that aims to restore the river to its former glory, although the path ahead remains complex and challenging.