The Klamath River's Salmon and Steelhead Return: A New Chapter for Conservation
Written by: Trent Jones
The removal of the Klamath River dams has led to a new era for salmon and steelhead, after years of restoration efforts, the fish are finally returning to their native habitats for the spawn.. This monumental moment in conservation was confirmed in August when the last barriers were taken down, and the first fall-run Chinook swam past the former Iron Gate dam site.
Photo: Swiftwater Films.
The Fish Are Back!
This year, over 100 Chinook successfully spawned above the dams, reaching as far as Oregon. In addition, coho and steelhead have been spotted in the river, a promising sign of the waters revival. Sonar monitoring shows large numbers of fish moving upstream, which offers hope for the future generations .
Photo: Swiftwater Films.
Monitoring for Success
To gauge the full impact of this restoration, ongoing monitoring is going to be essential. Federal and state agencies, along with local tribes, are working together to track fish movements, habitats, and population health through data collection techniques. This coordination will hopefully ensure effective as the fish begin to return.
Photo from: Trout Unlimited
Reintroduction and Restoration Plans
Before the dams came down, Trout Unlimited (TU) was already working on restoration projects to improve the Upper Klamath's ecosystem. Similar success stories from places like Washington’s Elwha River show that, with proper restoration, migratory fish can recolonize historic spawning grounds and thrive. TU’s team is dedicated to continuing restoration efforts across the region, ensuring these efforts have a lasting impact and is why we wiill alway support TU and there movement
Photo: Swiftwater Films.
A Bright Future Ahead
After a century without migratory fish, seeing salmon and steelhead returning to the Klamath is a monumental victory. With ongoing restoration and monitoring, the future of these fish looks bright.
For more on river restoration and the return of salmon and steelhead, the article by TU 👉 Klamath RiverRestoration.
