Overview

• Over 800,000 Chinook salmon released into the Klamath River died from gas bubble disease, caused by extreme changes in water pressure.
• The salmon fry were part of a restoration effort following the largest dam removal project in US history, aimed at reconnecting the river's ecosystems.
• Officials attribute the high mortality rate to the fish passing through a tunnel at the base of the Iron Gate Dam, which is scheduled for demolition.
• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to release more fish downstream of the tunnel to avoid further incidents.
• The incident has sparked concerns over the impact of dam removal on salmon populations, despite long-term benefits for the river's ecosystem.