Less than a month after four towering dams on the Klamath River were demolished, hundreds of salmon made it into waters they have been cut off from for decades to spawn in cool creeks.

Summary

Following the removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River, which flows from southern Oregon through northern California to the Pacific Ocean, salmon have returned to spawn in tributaries inaccessible for over a century.

The largest dam removal project in U.S. history, completed in October 2024, restored more than 400 miles of habitat and improved water quality.

Local tribes, including the Yurok and Karuk, celebrated this long-fought victory, citing healthier fish and cooler water temperatures.

Early salmon spawning success offers hope for restoring the river’s ecosystem and guiding future habitat restoration efforts.

The dams had produced minimal power but caused significant ecological harm.