20,000 Chinook Salmon Return to Klamath River Post-Dam Removal
Over 20,000 Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River in California following the removal of four dams in 2024, according to new research published in Scientific Reports. This marks a significant recolonization of the river, which had been blocked for over a century.
The dam removal project, completed in October 2024, restored access to more than 400 miles of historical salmon habitat. In the two years since, Chinook salmon have recolonized approximately 88% of their historical range, reaching elevations up to 1,250 meters at Beatty Gap on the Sprague River.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. Two federal dams, Keno and Link River, still lack adequate fish passage. In 2025, only 2,497 salmon passed Keno, and just 210 made it through Link River. Additionally, water allocation conflicts continue, with agricultural demands competing with the needs of salmon survival, particularly during drought conditions.
Climate factors also pose risks. In 2026, low snowpack and drought conditions led to a disease outbreak among juvenile Chinook, causing significant mortality, although wild fall-run fish were largely unaffected.