Klamath River Post-Dam Removal Restoration

The Klamath River, located in Northern California and Southern Oregon, is currently being transformed by the worlds largest dam removal project, as four outdated hydropower dams are demolished to restore the rivers imperiled ecosystem and salmon runs. The Lower Klamath Project consists of four hydroelectric developments on the Klamath River – J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate – and associated facilities. The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) is overseeing removal of the facilities and restoration of the previously inundated lands. In November 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued the License Surrender Order (LSO) approving facility removal and habitat restoration, including measures described in the Reservoir Area Management Plan (RAMP). The RAMP was developed in consultation with federal, state and county governments and tribes and describes the specific management measures that KRRC will implement in connection with the restoration, monitoring, and adaptive management of the Reservoir Areas and High Priority Tributaries, as well as the fish passage monitoring KRRC will conduct within the RAMP Fish Passage Monitoring Area. Project activities include fish passage blockage removal; instream channel reconfiguration and structure placement; riparian planting; upland erosion control structure placement, planting, and vegetation management; and wetland planting, plant removal, and improvement/restoration. OWEB grant funds will be used to support the RAMP work in Oregon, resulting in stabilized and seeded lands around J.C. Boyle reservoir, including at the power canal and scour hole, tributary reconnection at Spencer Creek, and supporting the overall aquatic health of the river system.

As a result of the actions described in the Reservoir Area Management Plan, it is anticipated that volitional fish passage will be restored within the project lands, exposed sediment will be stabilized, native plants will be established, and native aquatic habitat will be enhanced. In addition, it is anticipated that natural river functions and processes will be restored within the project area. Natural river functions and processes include: Maintenance of Natural Hydrology: River flow is unimpeded through the Reservoir Areas and responds to natural hydrologic conditions; Maintenance of Sediment Transport Processes: Sediment aggradation and degradation is occurring, and sediment is being transported through the Hydroelectric Reach and into the mainstem river below the former Iron Gate Dam; Recruitment and Propagation of Vegetation: The natural recruitment and propagation of native plant species is occurring; and Existence of Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Habitat: Habitat for fish and aquatic invertebrates is available in the project area and in key tributaries.