Work has now commenced on removing the third of four dams that almost decimated salmon populations on the Klamath River, spanning Oregon and California, and led to some of the largest fish kills in the nation's history.
Karuk elder Leaf Hillman and his wife, Lisa, witnessed the initial excavation of the earthen dam this month. Alongside other tribal fish and water protectors, they had long campaigned for the demolition of the dams, which posed a threat to their cultural heritage and primary food source. "We sweep all the bad things off the downriver edge of the world and off the upriver edge of the world," said Hillman. "We make this place all new again in service of all the spirit people that exist on this earth, both human and nonhuman ancestors and relations."
The Iron Gate Dam, the final dam constructed to provide electricity to Northern California in the early 20th century, saw its reservoir drained in January, along with the other reservoirs. The Klamath River Renewal Corporation, overseeing the largest dam removal project in the U.S. to date, opted for the winter drain to avoid disrupting fish runs.
The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, had previously reported on the damage caused by the dams and the ongoing restoration efforts for wildlife habitat and ancestral homelands.
The removal of the dams marks a significant achievement for tribes and environmentalists who have long fought for the restoration of the Klamath Basin. The process began in 2023, following Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval in 2022. Copco II was the first dam to be removed in mid-2023, followed by Copco I in March. The removal of the final dam, JC Boyle, is slated for this fall, coinciding with the Chinook salmon season.
Hillman acknowledged that the dams and reservoirs occupy the ancestral lands of the Shasta Indian Nation, who have requested the return of 2,200 acres of land submerged since the early 1900s.
Mark Bramson, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, expressed gratitude for the partnership with tribes, acknowledging their longstanding advocacy for the project. Dania Rose Colegrove of the Hoopa Tribe celebrated the commencement of demolition on social media, reflecting the sentiment of many long-time advocates.
"For us, this day has always been inevitable," said Hillman, noting the challenges and setbacks faced by the tribes. "No other answer than success was the only thing that was possible for us."