For the first time in over a century, salmon will swim freely through a major watershed near the California-Oregon border as the largest dam-removal project in U.S. history approaches completion this week.

In a sweeping move towards environmental restoration, the Kalmath River is seeing a remarkable revival, while four major dams across the United States face demolition. These changes mark a significant shift in how communities and governments are addressing ecological balance and river health.

Kalmath River – A Comeback Story

The Kalmath River, once a vital waterway known for its rich biodiversity and crucial role in local ecosystems, had long been stifled by industrial activities and dam constructions. However, a coordinated effort involving local communities, environmental organizations, and government agencies has brought about a dramatic turnaround.

This week, workers breached the final rock dams on a key section of the Klamath River, effectively clearing the way for the river to flow unobstructed. The demolition of these barriers has been a critical step in restoring the river’s natural course and enabling the migration of salmon to important spawning grounds.

Crews employed excavators to dismantle rock structures that had previously diverted water upstream of Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 dams, which had already been nearly fully removed. As each section was taken out, more river water flowed through the historic channel, creating a crucial passageway for fall chinook, or king salmon, just in time for their spawning season.

The removal of these dams marks a significant milestone in a broader national effort to restore rivers to their natural states and revive ecosystems for fish and other wildlife. The Klamath River’s revival follows a pattern seen in other parts of the country, where over 2,000 dams have been removed in recent decades to enhance river health and biodiversity.

The Klamath River, once the third-largest salmon-producing river on the U.S. West Coast, saw its fish populations dwindle dramatically after the construction of dams by PacifiCorp between 1918 and 1962. These structures obstructed the river’s flow and disrupted the lifecycle of salmon, which return from the Pacific Ocean to spawn in their natal rivers. A bacterial outbreak in 2002, exacerbated by low water and high temperatures, resulted in the death of over 34,000 fish, largely prompting a concerted effort from environmental advocates and tribes to address the issue.

U.S. Dams – The Shift Towards Ecological Restoration

In 2022, federal regulators approved a plan to remove the dams, and since then, work has progressed steadily. The smallest of the four dams, Copco No. 2, has already been dismantled. The other three dams’ reservoirs have been drained, and deconstruction began in March.

The Klamath River Renewal Corporation, a non-profit established to oversee the project, has acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, it will take time for the full ecological benefits to become apparent. The experience with the Elwha River’s dam removal, for instance, showed that it took about a decade for fish populations to fully recover.

As the final stages of the Klamath River dam removal approach, the focus will shift towards monitoring and supporting the river’s restoration, with hopes for the return of a vibrant and sustainable salmon population.

In tandem with the revival of the Kalmath River, the United States is witnessing a major shift in its approach to dam management.

The decision to remove these dams is driven by a growing recognition of the ecological costs associated with damming rivers. Over the years, many dams have been found to disrupt natural river flows, contribute to fish population declines, and hinder the movement of aquatic species.