EarthOne Spotlight: California‑Oregon Dams Vanish to Save Salmon
When the U.S. government finally handed the keys to four long‑standing dams on the California‑Oregon border, it wasn’t just a bureaucratic handshake—it was the moment the Klamath River was set free. Imagine the biggest dam‑removal party in American history and you’re close to getting the picture.
The River’s Comeback
Those four steel giants have silently stood for decades, keeping water locked away and electricity humming to about 70,000 homes. Now, thanks to a landmark approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dams are being dismantled—offering hope for two iconic salmon species:
- Chinook salmon, the large, ocean‑facing runners
- Coho salmon, the endangered cousins that’ve survived only the toughest streams
The re‑opened river will be a smoother, cooler route for the salmon—from the Pacific Ocean all the way up to their nursery grounds—and a healthier return path for the young fish heading back to the sea. Nights of heavy summer temperatures and parasite invasions will finally get a chance to cool down.
Tribal Triumph
For the Yurok people and other native tribes, this isn’t just water. It’s a return to ancestral ways of living off a bounty that has sustained them for centuries. As their chairman Joseph James put it:
“The Klamath salmon are coming home. The people have earned this victory and with it, we carry on our sacred duty to the fish that have sustained our people since the beginning of time.”
Turning the Tide—Financially
PacifiCorp, the power company under Berkshire Hathaway’s umbrella, faced fresh regulation costs—think fish screens and ladders. Instead of paying the price, they struck a deal with the tribes and the government to decommission the dams. PacifiCorp is pouring US$200 million into the project, funded by a surcharge on customers in Oregon and California. Add to that a state bond that secured another US$250 million, and the financial gears are turning to keep the river alive.
Why It Matters
In the face of climate change and severe drought, this dismantling is more than engineering—it’s a lifeline. By restoring natural flows, the Klamath River is being reshaped into a healthier habitat that promises a brighter future for its salmon, the tribes that depend on them, and the countless ecosystems intertwined with this waterway.
So here’s to a cleaner river, happier salmon, and a community that’s finally getting back the waters it has always cherished. EarthOne’s role? To keep telling these stories with a bit of humor and heart—because when it comes to our planet, knowledge is just the start.
