Salmon Return to Klamath River After 100 Years Following Historic Dam Removal

For the first time in over a century, salmon have returned to the Klamath River Basin in Oregon and California, marking a historic ecological milestone following the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.

In October, biologists from Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife identified a Chinook salmon in an area upstream of the Klamath River where the J.C. Boyle Dam once stood. This significant sighting is the first anadromous fish in Oregon’s Klamath Basin since 1912 when the first of four hydroelectric dams was constructed, blocking salmon migration routes.

The removal of the dams—completed in August 2024 after decades of advocacy by Native American tribes—has reopened over 400 miles of the river, allowing salmon and other fish species to reclaim their historical spawning grounds far sooner than expected.

A Triumph for Tribal Advocacy

For the Yurok, Karuk, and other tribes along the Klamath River, the salmon’s return is deeply symbolic. Known as the “salmon people,” these tribes have depended on the river’s fish for sustenance and cultural practices for generations.

“This is incredible news,” said Barry McCovey, senior fisheries biologist for the Yurok Tribe. “The sheer number of fish returning and their geographic range has exceeded all expectations.”

Brook Thompson, a Yurok tribal member and civil engineer, expressed profound relief and joy, stating:

“Seeing the videos of the salmon returning home brought me to tears of happiness and relief. We did it. I am filled with newfound energy and hope to keep up my work in restoration and supporting the rights of tribes and fish.”

The effort to remove the dams began in the 1990s as tribal communities sought to restore the river’s ecosystem and salmon fisheries. After decades of negotiations and setbacks, the final dam was demolished in 2024, clearing the way for the river’s revival.

Restoring a Vital Ecosystem

The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. However, the construction of dams led to a catastrophic decline in fish populations, with fall Chinook salmon numbers plummeting by 90% and spring Chinook by 98%.

Now, biologists and tribal members are witnessing an ecological transformation. Salmon are spawning in tributaries that were previously submerged under reservoirs just nine months earlier. Steelhead trout, coho salmon, and Pacific lamprey are also expected to return in the coming years as the ecosystem heals.

Mark Hereford, leader of Oregon’s Klamath fisheries reintroduction program, expressed amazement:

“The fish are spawning in these tributaries that were underwater just months ago. It offers so much hope for the future.”

Challenges and Optimism Ahead

While the initial results are promising, the restoration project is just beginning. The Yurok Tribe is also restoring 2,200 acres of land newly exposed after the reservoirs were emptied, aiming to rebuild a thriving salmon fishery.

“There’ll be ups and downs,” McCovey acknowledged. “Any restoration project this big does. We know it won’t be easy, but that’s ok. We’re looking to the future.”

The tribes envision a day when they can host their salmon festival using fish from the Klamath River, as their ancestors once did. Brook Thompson shared her dream:

“My future descendants will see so many salmon they could walk across their backs to the other side, just as my grandfather experienced.”

This achievement signals not only the resilience of the salmon but also the enduring determination of the tribes and conservationists who fought for decades to see the river restored.