Photo: Matt Mais | Yurok Tribe
Built between 1918 and 1962, four aging hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in Oregon and California are coming down by the end of 2024. In September 2023, the smallest of the dams was removed and in January 2024, the reservoir draw down began for the remaining three dams. As the water recedes, the massive task of restoring the ecosystem lies ahead. This project is the largest dam removal and river renewal project in the US, a vital undertaking to ensure the future of imperiled salmon populations on the West Coast. Great care has been taken to source local plants and locally adapted seeds to ensure the successful restoration of the ecosystem. “It’s really cool to see the years of detailed planning that go into these efforts. Working with RES and the Yurok Tribe, the focus has always been on establishing the best possible habitat and they’ve provided the stock seed needed. It’s not an easy task, but this partnership exemplifies the best practices of native habitat restoration today, and we’re proud to play a role in that,” said Heritage Growers General Manager Pat Reynolds. The massive task of restoration is just beginning. With every seed sown, the Klamath River, the salmon and the future of the Native people who depend on the river’s vitality are being restored.
|
|
More:
