Salmon return upstream in Klamath River after dam removal, but recovery faces headwinds

Two years after removal of four dams on California's Klamath River, over 20,000 chinook salmon have migrated upstream for the first time in a century, though researchers warn that broader ecosystem recovery remains uncertain.

First covered Aug 27, 2026 · 4:54 PM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Salmon return upstream in Klamath River after dam removal, but recovery faces headwinds — Image via insideclimatenews.org

Coverage

30d Inside Climate News 20,000 Salmon Return to the Klamath—but Challenging Conditions for Recovery Remain — In August 2024, excavation crews breached the last of four dams on the Klamath River in far northern California, marking the first time in over a century 100…

More coverage from around the web

dailykos.com 39,860 natural adult Chinook salmon returned to Klamath River 2 years after dam removal completed! - Daily Kos

usgs.gov The Klamath Dams Are Down: A Closer Look at Juvenile Salmon Migration | U.S. Geological Survey

sfchronicle.com California dam removal: Some Klamath River salmon are swimming too far

themeateater.com Salmon Are Recolonizing Klamath River After Dam Removals | MeatEater Conservation News

mavensnotebook.com USGS: The Klamath Dams are down: A closer look at juvenile salmon migration ~ MAVEN'S NOTEBOOK | California Water News Central

Appeared in: 2026-08-28 (#19)

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