Massive dam removal begins in the US
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
6:00 PM – Monday, January 15, 2024
This week, a major milestone was reached in the largest dam removal project in United States history as the dammed reservoirs on the Klamath River were lowered.
On Thursday, the gate on the lowest of the bypass tunnels planned for removal, which is 16-feet-wide and located at the base of Iron Gate Dam in Northern California, was accessed from a crack to 36 inches.
In order for the bypass tunnel at the base of Northern California’s Iron Gate Dam to withstand the weight of flowing waters coming through it, it has undergone major reinforcement.
Playing a crucial role in advocating for the dam removal, Amy Cordalis, a member of the Yurok Tribe and attorney, expressed the significance of this historic moment.
According to the organization’s website, the Yurok Tribe’s mission is to “exercise the aboriginal and sovereign rights of the Yurok People to continue forever our Tribal traditions of self-governance, cultural and spiritual preservation, stewardship of Yurok lands, waters and other natural endowments…”
“This is historic and life-changing,” Cordalis explained. “And it means that the Yurok people have a future. It means the river has a future; the salmon have a future.”
Mike Belchik, a senior policy adviser for the Yurok Tribe, also witnessed the controlled breach and shared his thoughts.
“It’s kind of surreal,” said Belchik. “I don’t know why we had such confidence that it was going to happen. But we did. We always knew it would happen.”
The Iron Gate Dam, standing at 143 feet tall, is an earth embankment dam with a narrow reservoir behind it. As the Klamath River dams are lowered, three hydroelectric dams that are part of the Lower Klamath Project in southern Oregon and Northern California will also be removed.
These dams have long hindered the access of salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey to their natural habitat, resulting in poor water quality downstream.
Dave Owen, a law professor at the University of California, San Francisco, commented on the significance of dam removal.
“Every time we do this, and we do this at a big scale, we learn new things about the legal pathways,” said Owen. “It just helps people see that this is possible, and that it can be highly successful. Along the Snake River, you have irrigators who rely on some of those reservoirs; you also have barge traffic, that’s conveying wheat.”
Owen added that the removal of the Klamath River dams increases the likelihood of action being taken on the Snake River dams, although the latter presents a more challenging case due to various factors.
Looking ahead, the next major dam removal project being considered is the removal of four dams on Washington’s Lower Snake River. The politics surrounding dam removal are heavily influenced by dam owners and their utilization.
Over the next week, water will gradually drain from the Iron Gate reservoir through the bypass tunnel, lowering it by two to four feet each day at a flow rate of 2,200 cubic feet-per-second.
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What role did the Yurok Tribe play in advocating for and ensuring the success of the dam removal project on the Klamath River?
System, allowing the river to flow freely for the first time in over a century. This restoration of natural flow is expected to benefit the local ecosystem and provide new opportunities for native wildlife.
The dam removal project on the Klamath River has been a long time coming, with years of planning and negotiations. The four dams, including Iron Gate Dam, have been a source of controversy and concern due to their impact on fish populations and water quality. The removal of these dams is seen as a crucial step towards restoring the health and vitality of the river.
The Yurok Tribe, who has been actively advocating for dam removal, is particularly invested in the restoration of the Klamath River. The tribe has a deep connection to the river and relies on its resources for sustenance and cultural practices. The removal of the dams signifies a new chapter for the Yurok people and their relationship with the river and its inhabitants.
The controlled breach of the bypass tunnel at the base of Iron Gate Dam was a significant moment for all those involved in the project. Witnessing the water flow through the crack in the gate brought a sense of surrealism and accomplishment. The years of hard work and collaboration among scientists, regulators, and indigenous activists have finally paid off.
The removal of the Klamath River dams sets a precedent for future dam removal projects, particularly the ones on the Lower Snake River in Washington. While the political and economic factors surrounding dam removal are complex, the success of the Klamath River project demonstrates that it is possible to restore rivers to their natural state and mitigate the negative impacts of dams.
As the water gradually drains from the Iron Gate reservoir, experts will closely monitor the changes in the river and its ecosystem. It is expected that the restoration of natural flow will lead to improved water quality and enhanced habitat for fish species, such as salmon and steelhead. This, in turn, will have positive ripple effects on the local economy and the overall health of the river.
The dam removal project on the Klamath River is not just an engineering feat, but also a testament to the power of collaboration and environmental stewardship. It represents a step forward in our understanding of how to balance human needs with the preservation of our natural resources. As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us remember the importance of ongoing efforts to protect and restore our rivers for future generations.
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