Two Years On, the Undammed Klamath is Flourishing

“So many people worked together to make this happen. I remember Ronnie Pierce and Troy Fletcher telling us that every day we needed to do something to bring dam removal closer to reality. But in the end, after 25 years of effort, we had to let go, and that was hard. There came a time when we all had to turn over the effort to the [Klamath River] Renewal Corporation and pray that they did a good job. They did. And when Renewal Corporation was done, all the humans had to let go and trust the fish, and they responded in a huge way. And when that happened, it validated all the effort we put into it.”

– Michael Belchik, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Yurok Tribe

Dam removal advocates on the former Copco 1 Dam on the first day of demolition. Credit: Michael Belchik, Yurok Tribe

“The recovery of the Klamath River following dam removal is nothing less than stunning. The bare mudflats were soon blanketed in poppies, yellow lupine and other native plants. Nobody – and I mean nobody – thought the salmon would make it so far so fast. There is reason for great optimism for the river and local communities.”

– Dave Meurer, Director of Community Affairs, West Region, Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC (RES).

Poppies bloom in the former Iron Gate Reservoir footprint. Credit: RES

“Two years on, I am reminded that powerful impact comes from connection – from the leadership and vision of the basin’s Tribes whose enduring connection to the land and water underpinned the movement towards dam removal the Klamath so desperately needed. And now we are witnessing the cascade of transformation that comes when a river is once again able to connect within itself. What seemed impossible two decades ago is a lived reality for the people of the Klamath Basin – a healthier river for the watershed’s communities, fish and wildlife.”

– Dr. Ann Willis, California Regional Director, American Rivers

“In only two spawning seasons since completion of dam removal on the Klamath River, we now know that the fish know what to do if we humans give them a chance. They've journeyed 200+ miles beyond where the dams were located, to places completely unknown to any of this generation of fish. 100+ years of blockage, yet they knew what to do! What have we learned? I hope we've learned Nature is smarter than we humans, and we save time, energy, and money if we work with Nature rather than against her. The fish and the river can benefit from our stewardship, as long as what we do enhances natural function. It took 20+ years of dedicated negotiation to remove the dams. It's now up to the fish, RES, and the Tribes to lead the way for recovery of what once was the third most productive salmon river in the lower 48. Thanks to all the partners who committed their lives and time to this noble action, and thank you to Tribal members who lead the way.”

– Dr. C. Mark Rockwell, Northern California Council, Fly Fishers International

“Last fall, after more than 100 years, the salmon came home to the Upper Klamath Basin! In October of 2025, year we found a Redd in Crooked Creek, which runs through our ranch in the Wood River Valley. Witnessing and contributing to their return to these waters reinforces my deep sense of responsibility to steward our ranch for the health of the fish, wildlife, people, and cattle that depend on it, both here and downstream.”

– Kelley Delpit, Klamath Program Senior Manager, Sustainable Northwest

Salmon migrated into Upper Basin creeks and streams within one year of dam removal. Credit: Kelley Delpit, Sustainable Northwest.

“Across the world, the Klamath is a beacon of hope for all of us who care about recovering salmon and our shared rivers. After years of tireless advocacy, planning and hard work, it is thrilling to see the numbers of returning fish and the extent of the basin they've already reached after being blocked for over a century. The salmon inspire us and are motivation driving the ongoing work to continue improving habitat and water quality throughout the basin, and to sustain the partnerships that will let the Klamath's fish and communities thrive into the future.”

– Chrysten Rivard, Vice President, Pacific Region, Trout Unlimited

Spencer Creek, an Oregon tributary of the Klamath River, provides newly accessible spawning habitat for salmon. Credit: Trout Unlimited.