Historic Salmon Return to Klamath River After Century-Long Absence

The largest dam removal project in U.S. history allows salmon to access previously unreachable habitats, marking a significant environmental victory.

The removal of four dams on the Klamath River was completed on October 2, enabling salmon to swim freely for the first time in over 100 years.
Chinook salmon began migrating into areas above the former Iron Gate dam on October 3, reclaiming habitats that were inaccessible for decades.
The dam removal is seen as a major win for local tribes who advocated for years against the environmental damage caused by the dams.
Scientists are using sonar technology to track the migration of Chinook, Coho salmon, and steelhead trout, collecting data on the river's ecological recovery.
The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast, but the dams had severely disrupted its natural ecosystem.