A free river at last: after 100 years, the return of salmon on the Klamath in exciting “before and after” photos

It ended on October 2, 2024 the largest dam removal project in the United Statesalong the river Klamath423 kilometers of liquid trail that flows from eastern Oregon to northern California, and then flows into the Pacific Ocean.

The event, awaited for decades, allowed the river to resume its natural flow et al Chinook salmon to return to its waters after over a century. The before and after images show a radical ecological change: a return that marks the rebirth of one of the most compromised river ecosystems on the west coast of the United States.

Before and after dam removal images, taken by the documentary company Swiftwater Filmsreveal an extraordinary transformation: where barriers once interrupted the flow of the river, today you can see a free-flowing waterway, with new life opportunities for local fauna. Nature takes back its space, and with it migratory fish, such as king salmon, return.

“This is a monumental achievement, not only for the Klamath River, but for the entire state, the nation and the planet,” the California governor said in a statement. Gavin Newson – By tearing down these aging dams, we are giving salmon and other species a chance to thrive again, while restoring a critical lifeline to tribal communities that have long depended on the health of the river. This is proof of what is possible when we come together to prioritize our environment, our people and future generations“.

The effects of dams

The history of the Klamath dams has ancient roots. Between 1903 and 1962, the company Pacific Corp built a series of structures along the river, to generate electricity. Although these infrastructures were crucial for the economic development of the region, they had devastating effects on the river’s ecosystem and on the lives of the indigenous populations who had lived in symbiosis with the water and fish fauna for centuries.

In 2002, the river was the scene of an environmental catastrophe: due to low water levels and high temperatures, a bacterial epidemic killed over 34,000 fishespecially Chinook salmon. This event marked a turning point. The Yurok, Karuk and other local communities, united with environmental groups, they began a long battle for the removal of the damsaware that only by returning the river to its natural flow could environmental balance be restored.

The road to victory was not easy. For over twenty years, indigenous tribes fought tirelessly to assert their rights and protect their sacred territory. “Dam dismantling is an expression of our sacred duty to maintain balance in the world,” said Joseph L. James, chairman of the Yurok Tribe. For these populations, the river does not only represent an economic resource, but a spiritual element fundamental to their identity.

In 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finally approved plans to remove four dams on the Klamath River, including Copco 1 and Iron Gate Dam, marking the beginning of the river’s rebirth. Work began in July 2023 and, after more than a year, on 2 October 2024, the operations concluded successfully.

The return of the salmon

On October 3, the day after the last dam was removed, California Trout researchers observed a historic event: a Chinook salmon measuring approximately 75 centimeters was spotted swimming upstreamin an area of ​​the river that had not seen a salmon in over a century. It is a tangible sign of the success of the intervention and of nature’s ability to recover if given the right opportunities.

A slow recovery

However, scientists warn that the complete restoration of river ecosystems will take many years. Removing dams is just the first step in a long healing process. “The river has started to heal, but it will take years of monitoring and interventions to fully recover the ecosystem,” he said Damon Goodmandirector of California Trout. The organization, along with various environmental and tribal groups, is continuously monitoring fish migration and ecosystem response with the help of sonar and other advanced technologies, to gather crucial data on the progress of the river’s recovery.

The impact of this project extends far beyond the Klamath. Over the last 25 years, More than 2,000 dams have been removed in the United Statespart of a growing movement to restore space for rivers and their natural cycles. The experiences of other rivers, such as theElwha in Washington state, which saw a rapid recovery of salmon after the removal of its dams, show that while the recovery process may be slow, the results can be dramatic.

“Our áama, ancestral companions, can now return to over 400 miles of free breeding grounds, renewing a bond that has nourished our people since time immemorial. The river is purifying itself and, with time, its waters will become purer. The scars left by the dams will fade and balance will be restored to the land. This is a reclamation of our cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and sovereign rights. We are grateful to everyone who made this possible. Yôotva!”, President Russell ‘Buster’ Attebery of the Karuk tribe

“The tribal effort to dismantle the dams is an expression of our sacred duty to maintain balance in the world. That’s why we fought so hard and for so long to take down the dams and bring the salmon home,” Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph L. James.