UPDATE: The Klamath River is experiencing a remarkable transformation just one year after the historic removal of four dams, marking a pivotal moment for the river’s ecosystem and Indigenous communities. On August 2024, the last of the dams was breached, allowing the river to flow freely for the first time in over a century along 40 miles of its banks.
This urgent update comes as Indigenous leaders and activists, who have long campaigned for the river’s restoration, celebrate the significant environmental impact of the dam removals. The dismantling of these structures, which were constructed between 1911 and 1962, is not just about environmental recovery; it represents a long-fought victory for the Yurok Tribe and other Indigenous communities that have been advocating for their rights and the health of the river.
In an exclusive interview, Amy Bowers Cordalis, a Yurok Tribe member and environmental advocate, highlighted the transformative effects already visible in the river. “I feel like I am just getting to know my great-grandmother’s river,” she stated, referring to the revitalization of the waterway that her ancestors once fished. Bowers Cordalis is also the author of the upcoming book, The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family’s Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life, set to be released on October 28, 2023.
Crews are now actively restoring the river’s ecosystem, scattering millions of seeds and creating natural floodplains to expedite recovery. “They’re building salmon playgrounds and expediting Mother Nature’s healing,” Bowers Cordalis noted. This restoration effort is crucial for reviving salmon populations that have suffered due to decades of dam-related environmental degradation.
The removal project, costing approximately $200 million, involved extensive negotiations between PacifiCorp, California, and Oregon, culminating in the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. This monumental decision was driven by the realization that maintaining the dams would be more expensive than dismantling them, particularly in light of current environmental standards.
Bowers Cordalis emphasized the emotional and cultural significance of this moment, saying, “It wasn’t just me… It’s been building ever since colonization.” Her book recounts a multigenerational struggle against oppression, discrimination, and ecological degradation, culminating in the recent dam removals that promise to heal both the river and the Yurok way of life.
As the waters of the Klamath become clearer and the river’s natural flow is restored, local communities are already witnessing positive changes. Bowers Cordalis described how the river now moves with a new vitality and is significantly cleaner. “You can see the bottom of the river now,” she exclaimed, contrasting the current state with the toxic algae blooms and pollution that once plagued the area.
In closing, she expressed hope for the future, stating, “We used a nature-based solution to heal an ecosystem, and by doing so, you not only heal ecosystems but you heal people, you heal culture, and you heal economies.” This powerful sentiment not only reflects the urgency of the situation but also serves as a rallying cry for continued advocacy and environmental stewardship.
As the Klamath River continues to heal, all eyes are on the positive changes ahead. The story of this river’s revival is a beacon of hope, illustrating the potential for collaborative action to restore both natural landscapes and Indigenous rights. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as communities work tirelessly to nurture their ancestral waters back to health.
