Historic Klamath River Dam Removal Restores Natural Flow After a Century

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history nears completion, opening vital salmon habitats and revitalizing ecosystems.

Crews are breaching the final dams on the Klamath River, allowing salmon to swim freely for the first time in over 100 years.
The project, costing around $500 million, aims to restore the river's ecosystem and improve water quality.
Tribal leaders and environmental groups have advocated for this removal for decades, citing cultural and ecological benefits.
The dams, built between 1918 and 1962, significantly disrupted salmon populations and river health.
Salmon have already been reported at the river's mouth, with hopes for early successes in their return upstream.