Golden State Today

Governor Newsom visited the Klamath River restoration project this week, marking significant progress in the largest river restoration effort in American history. The project aims to remove four obsolete hydroelectric dams in California and Oregon that have deteriorated water quality in the Klamath River, adversely affecting salmon populations and basin communities.

With parts of the Klamath River beginning to flow freely for the first time in a century, Governor Newsom highlighted the project's importance. "The importance of this work underway to restore the Klamath River after more than a century of being dammed cannot be overstated. We’re closer than ever to revitalizing this waterway at the center of crucial ecosystems, tribal community and sustenance, and the local economy. Together with our many partners, California will continue working to ensure the Klamath River flows freely once again," he stated.

Last September saw the removal of the first dam, with the remaining three scheduled for demolition later this year. This initiative results from collaboration between California and Oregon, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, PacifiCorp, as well as fishing and environmental groups.

Historically, before concrete dams were constructed starting in 1918, the Klamath was the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. These dams obstructed migratory salmon and steelhead from accessing nearly 400 miles of critical river habitat.

In December 2022, Governor Newsom joined U.S. Secretary of Interior Haaland, leaders of Yurok and Karuk Tribes, and Oregon Governor Brown to celebrate Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's final approval of this project.

Earlier this year, Governor Newsom released California’s first strategy aimed at restoring salmon populations amid climate change-induced hotter and drier weather conditions. Over $800 million has been invested by his administration and legislature over three years to protect these iconic fish species. Additionally, a Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration has been requested to support communities impacted by a full closure of ocean salmon season for two consecutive years.