Chinook Salmon Return to Klamath River Basin

For the first time in over a century, fall-run Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River in Oregon and California, following the recent removal of four hydroelectric dams that had blocked their migration since the early 1900s. Biologists with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed sightings of the salmon on October 16, marking their first presence in the Oregon portion of the Klamath Basin since 1912. Spawning salmon were also observed in California tributaries, specifically in Jenny Creek, just days after the last dam was removed on September 26. This historic return of anadromous fish is seen as a significant milestone in efforts to restore salmon populations and improve ecological health in the region. The Klamath River dam removal project is recognized as the largest of its kind in U.S. history, aiming to reestablish self-sustaining fish populations critical for conservation and Indigenous communities. Monitoring will continue to assess the repopulation of these fish in the newly accessible habitats.