KLAMATH BASIN: After the monumental removal of four major dams along the Klamath River—the largest such project in U.S. history—wild salmon have made a historic return to parts of the river they hadn’t reached in over 100 years. But now, their upstream journey has hit another snag: the 41-foot-high Keno Dam in southern Oregon.
While the dam removals, completed in late 2024, reopened miles of spawning habitat and revived the river’s natural flow, salmon migrating further upstream are being blocked by an outdated and ineffective fish ladder at Keno. Experts say this ladder, which no longer functions as intended, is now the final major obstacle preventing access to an additional 350 miles of pristine spawning streams in the upper basin.
Tribal leaders, conservationists, and federal officials are now rallying to address the issue. Some are advocating for a modernised fish ladder, while others are pushing for the dam’s full removal. Funding options are under discussion, especially through federal grants tied to fish restoration and climate resilience.
Meanwhile, signs of ecological recovery are already visible. Beaver and otter populations are returning, native vegetation is being replanted, and water quality has improved. Indigenous groups such as the Yurok and Karuk tribes continue to play a key role in the restoration, blending environmental work with cultural renewal.
In a symbolic celebration, a group of Native American teenagers recently embarked on a 310-mile kayak journey along the reborn river, honouring their ancestral connection to the water and raising awareness about ongoing challenges like Keno.
After more than a century of being cut off by dams, wild salmon finally made their way back to the upper Klamath River—and it marked a moment in history. For the first time in over 100 years, Chinook salmon were spotted swimming upstream through parts of the river they hadn’t accessed since the early 1900s.
This milestone followed a massive dam removal project that had been in the works for years. Four aging hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River were dismantled in what became the largest river restoration effort in U.S. history. The project was aimed at reviving the river’s ecosystem, improving water quality, and restoring natural fish migration paths.
The return of wild salmon to the Klamath is a major victory—but the journey upstream is far from over.
