Klamath River Post-Dam Removal Restoration

Kiewit completed the dam removal work and demobilized from the site in November 2024. The project has now turned its focus to restoration, which will be ongoing for several years and will begin to shift from active restoration implementation activities in 2025 to monitoring adaptive management approaches through the surrender term.



OWEB grant funds were used to support the Reservoir Area Management Plan (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.



OWEB grant funds supported the completion of the restoration implementation for Spencer Creek. Large wood features, in the form of whole trees, were placed in and along Spencer Creek in August 2024 and adult chinook salmon used the features for habitat and shelter during fall run spawning activities. Given the post-wood placement condition, the successful use of the formerly inundated reach by spawning fall run chinook salmon, and the observed resiliency of the stream through numerous high flow events over the past few months, implementation is now considered complete following coordination with the Habitat Restoration Group (HRG) and concurrence by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).



OWEB grant funds also supported restoration activities, including tree and shrub planning, in the J.C. Boyle area. This included the planting of 10,000-15,000 shrubs and/or trees in the J.C. Boyle area this spring.



Invasive Exotic Vegetation (IEV) monitoring and treatment occurred throughout the spring and will continue in the summer months, following coordination with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) who have also planned weed treatment activities in the area this year.



Restoration work is moving into the adaptive management stage, in which RES will monitor establishment of the plantings and seedings in the key restoration sites (reservoir footprint, previous power canal and scour hole areas, Spencer Creek connection area) and evaluate how additional seedings, plantings, IEV treatments, or construction activities may be required to ensure the ongoing restoration success. Fish passage activities were erroneously included at project proposed status and are not included for completed metrics.

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.