After a century-long absence, Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River Basin, following the removal of four hydroelectric dams in California.
Lucy Sherriff reports for BBC.
In short:
- Chinook salmon were spotted in Oregon’s Klamath Basin for the first time since 1912 after the removal of four dams that had blocked migration.
- Tribal communities, who campaigned for the dam removal for decades, view the salmon's return as a step toward restoring their fisheries and cultural traditions.
- The dam removal, completed in August 2024, reopened 400 miles of the river to migratory fish and marked the largest project of its kind in U.S. history.
Key quote:
"The fish are spawning in these tributaries that nine months ago were 30 feet underwater. It offers so much hope for the future."
— Barry McCovey, senior fisheries biologist, Yurok Tribe
Why this matters:
The return of salmon signals ecological recovery and cultural renewal for the region’s Native tribes, who depend on the fish for sustenance and tradition. It highlights the broader environmental impacts of dam removal, offering hope for restoring other degraded waterways.
