Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History Completed – A Landmark Victory for Indigenous Tribes

The largest dam removal project ever undertaken in the United States is now complete, following the demolition of the last of four dams on the Klamath River. This milestone represents a significant victory for tribal nations along the Oregon-California border, who have fought for decades to restore the river to its natural state.

The removal of the Iron Gate Dam, Copco Dams 1 and 2, and JC Boyle Dam will enable the region’s renowned salmon population to navigate freely through the Klamath River and its tributaries for the first time in over a century.

Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit overseeing the project, celebrated the occasion as staff members, conservationists, government officials, and tribal representatives gathered by the riverbank near the former site of Iron Gate Dam saying, ‘It was a celebratory moment.’

The federal approval for the dam removal came in 2022, with the smallest dam, Copco No. 2, being taken down the following year. To enable the final demolition, crews began releasing water from the dams’ reservoirs earlier this year.

The river system has been a source of contention, particularly during the historic drought that affected the Klamath Basin, which sparked conflicts between local farmers, Indigenous tribes, and conservationists. However, excitement replaced uncertainty among Indigenous communities that have long relied on the river.

Bransom shared the moment’s significance, stating to CNN, “We all came together in a feeling that ranged from pure joy to anticipation to excitement. For the first time in over 100 years, the river is back in its historical channel, and witnessing that reconnection was profoundly moving.”

The Yurok Tribe of Northern California, often referred to as the “salmon people,” considers salmon a sacred species integral to their culture, diet, and traditions. According to their beliefs, the spirit that created salmon also created humans, making the fish essential to their existence.

Amy Bowers-Cordalis, a member and general counsel for the Yurok Tribe, expressed that the removal of the dams symbolizes “freedom” and the beginning of the river’s healing process. “The river has always been our lifeblood,” she noted. Unlike her elders, she did not have the same fishing opportunities growing up and often saw fish carcasses along the riverbank. “Restoring the river allows future generations to uphold the Yurok fishing way of life.”

Human-made dams, elevated water temperatures, and extended droughts have significantly impacted the river and its dependent ecosystems, particularly the salmon population. Salmon are born in freshwater systems like the Klamath, migrate to the ocean, and return to spawn, facing numerous threats throughout this journey.

The Klamath River experienced devastating losses in 2002 when warm temperatures and low water led to a viral outbreak that killed over 34,000 fish, primarily chinook salmon. This crisis prompted the Yurok Tribe and other local tribes to advocate for the removal of the dams, which they believe hold great cultural and spiritual weight.

The Iron Gate Dam, the largest of the four at 173 feet tall and 740 feet wide, was the last to be removed, allowing the Klamath River to flow freely for the first time in over a century. Built in the early to mid-1900s without tribal consent, these dams were constructed by the utility company PacifiCorp to generate electricity but disrupted the salmon’s lifecycle by blocking access to their historical spawning grounds.

The climate crisis further exacerbates the situation: warming waters and drought conditions have contributed to the death of salmon eggs and juveniles due to low oxygen and food shortages, promoting the spread of diseases. Julie Alexander, a senior researcher at Oregon State University, stated that even in the absence of climate change, dam infrastructures alter river flow and temperature, creating conditions that foster pathogens and increase fish interactions, leading to transmission of parasites.

While the dam removal project is a monumental achievement, there were concerns regarding water quality throughout the process. Sediments that had accumulated behind the dams for over a century, potentially containing high levels of organic material, were released, resulting in muddy water and impacting local wildlife. However, Bransom framed it as “short-term pain for long-term gain.”

Experts suggest that the energy supply won’t be significantly hindered by the removals, as all four dams combined accounted for less than 2% of PacifiCorp’s overall energy production.

Looking ahead, restoration efforts will commence, with plans to plant nearly 16 billion seeds of around 100 native species across 2,200 acres of the Klamath River Basin. Thanks to the dam removals, fish can now swim freely once more. Bowers-Cordalis of the Yurok Tribe believes that witnessing the river’s reconnection is akin to a form of land restitution, representing the “ultimate reward.”