Document Actions
Klamath River Dams
Starting point for learning more about Oregon Wild's efforts to remove the four lower dams from the Klamath River and bring salmon and steelhead home to Oregon.
A century ago, the Klamath River was the third largest producer of salmon
and steelhead on the West Coast. But this salmon nursery has become a grave.
Today Klamath River salmon are on the brink of extinction. Agribusiness development diverts an enormous amount of water from the river each year, and a series of aging dams cuts the Klamath in half, blocking salmon from over 300 miles of historic habitat.
The license to operate these dams, owned by PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of
Berkshire Hathaway’s Mid-American Energy Holdings, expired in 2006. The corporation is now in the process of seeking a new license
for these dams. Oregon Wild, like many scientists,
commercial fishermen, Native American Tribes, and other conservation groups, seeks the removal 
of the lower four dams from the Klamath River.
Removing these dams as part of a holisitic plan to restore the Klamath Basin is the cheapest, safest, and most effective option for
recovering Klamath River salmon and protecting the communities that depend on
them.
Additional Dam-related News:
Bush administration's Klamath settlement plan prioritizes agribusiness over salmon and wildlife. Read an analysis of the plan here, or Oregon Wild's views on what a truly balanced settlement should include.
Hoopa Valley Tribe press release on Klamath settlement plan. Click here to read their analysis if flaws in the deal. UPDATE - Hoopa oppose Bush-initiated Klamath plan.
Remember when Bush Administration Threatened to Derail Klamath Dam Talks? Wildlife advocates forced out of dam settlement talks.
Explore our JC Boyle Dam photo gallery. Boyle is one of 4 dams on the Klamath River that should be removed.
News clips and press releases, many related to the Klamath River dams.
American Fisheries Society article documents that Klamath salmon once traveled up the river into Oregon (requires Adobe Acrobat).
Toxic algae documented behind Klamath River Dams (photos).
