Rafting on the Klamath River before the recent dam release.
They are critical habitats for fish, amphibians, and fowl.
They are also central to the histories and present cultures of the region’s many Indigenous tribes.
Rafting on the Klamath River before the recent dam release. (Photo: Matkatamiba viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)
The Klamath River is among these watery landmarks.
Running down from Oregon into northern California, the massive Klamath River eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean.
It stretches a long 257 miles.
The Klamath River where it empties into the ocean in California. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
These arespecieswhich swim upstream from the ocean to spawn in fresh water.
Between 1911 and 1962, dams were built by PacifiCorp.
While holding the water back, the dams harnessed the flow for hydroelectric power.
Map of the path of the river with the dams notated. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The barriers changed the natural flow of the water downstream.
Without strong flow, toxic algae and high temperatures develop according toSave California Salmon.
These factors contributed to a massivedie-offof salmon in 2002.
Indigenous activists and environmentalists have pushed for years to rectify the problem.
The projects will be removed, and indeed this is ongoing.
Its what weve been fighting for: to see the river for itself.
The Klamath River where it empties into the ocean in California.
Map of the path of the river with the dams notated.
