Restoring stream habitat to allow fish passage after one of the largest dam-removal projects in US history

At a Glance

  • $450M

    Construction Value

  • 450

    Stream Miles Opened

  • 18K

    Feet Stream Restored

Location
Klamath River, Oregon and California
Offices
Client
  • Resource Environmental Solutions
Partners
  • Klamath River Renewal Corporation
  • Camas, LLC
  • Kiewit Corp.
  • Yurok Tribe

Klamath River Renewal

The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon-producing river on the US West Coast. But construction of hydroelectric dams on the river inundated adjoining lands and affected fish-bearing tributaries, disrupting the lifecycles of these salmon and decimating the prized salmon runs. The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) oversaw the removal of four of these dams, opening more than 400 stream-miles (644 stream-kilometres) to salmonids swimming upstream from the Pacific Ocean to spawn.

Removal of the dams is only the first step to restoring the health of the Klamath River. Our geomorphologists, ecologists, fisheries biologists, and engineers are working with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) and ultimately the KRRC to prepare restoration plans for the fish-bearing tributaries to the river—which are currently affected by varying amounts of sediment and lack of habitat. Goals include enhancing habitat, improving fish passage, and revegetating the banks with native plant species. The project also involves implementing adaptive restoration design practices such as grading, incorporating wood in the channel, bank stability, and improvement of wetlands, floodplains, and off-channel habitat features. We’re working closely with permitting agencies in California and Oregon to develop and agree on intervention pathways to restore geomorphic processes.

When completed, the Klamath River dam removal and fish habitat restoration effort will be the largest dam removal and river restoration project of its kind in the world. It will provide economic and environmental benefits to all communities in the Klamath Basin—including farmers, anglers, local tribes, conservationists, recreationists, and the tourism industry.

At a Glance

  • $450M

    Construction Value

  • 450

    Stream Miles Opened

  • 18K

    Feet Stream Restored

Location
Klamath River, Oregon and California
Offices
Client
  • Resource Environmental Solutions
Partners
  • Klamath River Renewal Corporation
  • Camas, LLC
  • Kiewit Corp.
  • Yurok Tribe

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