Klamath River salmon reclaim territory after dam removal
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Tribal groups and scientists observed Klamath River salmon returning to areas blocked by dams for over a century, following the removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Oregon-California border.
Crews finished removing the dams in October 2024, completing the largest dam removal project in the world. Researchers used underwater cameras to track the salmon, finding approximately 7,700 Chinook salmon passed the former dam sites in 2024.
That number increased to over 13,000 in 2025, representing nearly one-fifth of the total Chinook returning to the Klamath Basin. The Klamath River salmon comeback happened faster than expected, with the fish reclaiming 88% of their historic territory in the upper Klamath River Basin. The upper Klamath Basin’s broad, lake-filled headwaters and cold, spring-fed rivers aided the salmon’s return.
The Yurok, Karuk, Klamath, and Shasta Indian Nations advocated for the dam removal for decades, as salmon are important to their food, culture, and ceremonies. Scientists will continue monitoring the salmon population to determine if the recovery lasts and if salmon reproduce in the newly accessible areas.
