The next big phase of the Klamath River Dam removal started this week. It's the largest dam removal in U.S. history and is expected to last through 2024.

The largest dam removal in U.S. history entered a critical phase this week, with the lowering of dammed reservoirs on the Klamath River.

On Thursday, the gate on a 16-foot-wide bypass tunnel at the base of Iron Gate dam, the lowest of those slated to be removed, was opened from a crack to 36 inches.

Amy Cordalis stood in the dawn chill to witness the first big surge as the gate was widened. She’s an attorney and Yurok Tribe member who has played a critical role in advocating for dam removal. As water poured through the tunnel, she could hear boulders rolling and tumbling. The water turned to dark chocolate milk as decades of pent-up sediment surged through.

“This is historic and life-changing,” Cordalis said. “And it means that the Yurok people have a future. It means the river has a future; the salmon have a future.”

  • Crack0n7uesday@lemmy.world
    161·
    6 months ago

    Washington State is getting ready to tear down a bunch of dams saying they are effecting the salmon population.

    • conquer4@lemmy.world
      English
      37·
      6 months ago

      If a dam has no purpose, absolutely! But if that dam provides flood control, or hydropower, they do more damage to environment and society by removing it.

      • Crack0n7uesday@lemmy.world
        9·
        6 months ago

        I forget why they were originally built but I do remember hearing on the local news they are tearing a lot of them down because it’s been having negative side effects on the environment. I live in Seattle so this is local news for me.

      • BossDj@lemm.ee
        91·
        6 months ago

        They were built for power. They displaced native populations that used the river.

        Either way, I think they know what they’re doing