This story originally appeared on Underscore Native News. Amy Bowers Cordalis, a proud citizen of the Yurok Tribe, has many different roles within her community. She is the executive director and co-founder of Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, a lawyer for the Yurok Tribe and was instrumental in advocating for the Klamath Dam removal, in […]
dam removal
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Students Watch History Unfold on the Klamath, Dam Removal Celebration Set for Dec. 7
On a recent field trip to the Klamath River, local school children were able to witness a momentous example of nature’s ability to rebound: salmon spawning in a creek upstream from the former Iron Gate dam after decades of absence. It’s one of many ecological milestones being reached following the largest dam removal project in […]
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Salmon Spotted in Klamath Basin for First Time in More Than a Century
On Wednesday, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist spotted a first-in-a-century sight on a tributary to the Klamath River in the Klamath Basin: A fall-run Chinook salmon. Just weeks after the last remnants of the four hydroelectric dams that used to clog the lower Klamath River were hauled away, concluding what was the […]
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The Klamath River Salmon Die-off Was Tragic. Was it Predictable?
A recent large die-off of young salmon released into the Klamath River shocked and dismayed state biologists, reinforcing that human efforts to restore nature and undo damage can be unpredictable and difficult to control. The tiny Chinook salmon turned up dead downriver just two days after they were released from the California Department of Fish […]
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Pets, Dam Removal, Jacobs Update and Cozy Cafes
This week we’re checking out the good boys and girls in the NCJ Pet Photo Contest and talking Humboldt pet care. We’ve also got updates on dam removal and the Eureka City Schools property sale. Finally, if you’re looking for a place to enjoy a coffee and a book while it’s still chilly, we’ve got […]
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First of Four Klamath Dams Has Been Removed
And then there were three. The nonprofit Klamath River Renewal Corporation recently announced that work to remove the first of four hydroelectric dams clogging the lower Klamath River is complete, bringing the largest dam removal project in the nation’s history one step closer to fruition. “Seeing the Klamath River flow through this canyon after being […]
Posted inArts + Scene
The Return of ‘30,000 Salmon’
In mid-September of 2002, tens of thousands of fish (mostly Chinook salmon) turned up dead on the Klamath River. Attributed in part to low water flow from the Iron Gate Dam, the devastating fish kill left an enormous impact on the local community, artist Becky Evans included. A self-described “land-based artist,” Evans tends to let […]
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Tribes Decry Klamath Water Proposal
The Karuk and Yurok tribes issued a warning this morning that a Bureau of Reclamation proposal to reduce flows on the Klamath River could kill off an entire salmon run in advance of a historic dam removal and restoration effort aimed at saving the fish. Noting that tribes and state officials just last week celebrated […]
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Feds OK Klamath Dam Removal
The Federal Regulatory Commission gave its final nod of approval this morning to plans to remove four hydroelectric dams from the Klamath River, putting the largest dam demolition project in U.S. history on track to begin next year. The vote was unanimous. “This moment is bigger than anyone could comprehend,” said Amy Cordalis, a Yurok […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Views: Klamath Basin Dam Removal Needs a Science-Driven Oversight Plan
The Klamath Basin is on the cusp of the most ambitious dam removal effort ever attempted. If all goes to plan, efforts will get underway by next year to bring down the four aging hydropower dams that divide the basin in half. Are we ready for this? The ramifications of this dam removal effort are […]
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Feds Release Klamath Dam Removal Environmental Document
The Federal Energy Regulation Commission today released the final draft of its Environmental Impact Statement on plans to remove four hydroelectric dams from the lower Klamath River dams, and proponents say the document confirms the long-touted environmental benefits. “Once again, a thorough analysis by experts reveals dam removal as key for restoring Klamath fisheries and […]