In the Spring of 2002, agribusiness interests in the Upper Klamath Basin celebrated the news that the Bush administration was officially overturning salmon restoration efforts in the Klamath River.  Senator Gordon Smith flew into Klamath Falls for a press conference to mark the occasion, and joined with Bush administration officials for a ceremonial "opening of the headgates" where water was diverted from the Klamath River.

Fish kill photo gallery

Less than 5 months later, low water flows in the Klamath River sparked the largest fish kill in Northwest history.  As many as 70,000 fall chinook died before they could spawn.  This tragedy has had devastating consequences for salmon-dependent communities throughout Northern California and Oregon.

In the years since the 2002 massive kill have been marked by lawsuit, a former Bush administration denail, and misinformation campaigns aimed at diverting attention away from water diversions for agriculture.  Missing from the scene has been any real action to prevent another adult fish kill, or steps to address the ongoing juvenile fish kills that plague the Klamath River.

Explore the links below to learn more about the pass fish kills in the Klamath Basin.

Fish Kill News

of Smith's relationship to the Klamath Basin water crisis issue.

Washington Post investigation reveals Vice President Dick Cheney's role in the 2002 Klamath fish kill

Wall Street Journal story links Senator Smith's 2002 re-election bid and Klamath fish kill decisions

Klamath fish kill news archive

Scientific Reports

on 2002 Klamath Fish kill (large pdf file, Adobe Acrobat required to view)

Fact Sheets and Background Documents

about the 2002 Klamath River fish kill