Overview

• Biologists identified a Chinook salmon in an Oregon tributary of the Klamath River, marking a significant ecological milestone.
• The dam removal project, completed in August, was the largest of its kind in U.S. history and involved dismantling four hydroelectric dams.
• The effort was driven by decades of advocacy from Indigenous tribes, including the Yurok and Karuk, who have cultural and economic ties to the salmon.
• With the dams gone, salmon now have access to over 400 miles of river and tributaries, with hopes of revitalizing fish populations.
• Ongoing monitoring and restoration efforts aim to ensure the long-term recovery of salmon and other fish species in the region.