Historic Klamath River Dam Removal Restores Vital Salmon Habitat

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history reopens 400 miles of river, marking a significant victory for tribal and environmental advocates.

Workers breached the last dams on the Klamath River, allowing salmon to swim freely for the first time in over a century.
The project is expected to restore hundreds of miles of spawning grounds and improve water quality, benefiting tribal communities and wildlife.
The removal follows decades of advocacy by tribes and environmental groups after a devastating 2002 fish kill spurred action.
The $500 million project, funded by taxpayers and PacifiCorp ratepayers, is nearing completion with some restoration work continuing.
Tribal leaders and environmentalists celebrate the river's return to its natural flow, though full ecosystem recovery may take time.