Things to know about the Klamath River dam removal project, the largest in US history
Things to know about the Klamath River dam removal project, the largest in US history
The Iron Gate Dam is seen in Hornbrook, Calif., Sept. 17, 2023. The dam is one of a series of four dams along the Klamath River which are part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Now underway along the Oregon border, the process won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Dave Meurer, Director of Resource Environmental Solutions, shows blueprint plans for regrowing trees and vegetation on land at the Iron Gate Dam on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, along the Klamath River in Hornbrook, Calif. once the dam is removed and the reservoir drawn down. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
A view shows the Copco 1 Dam in Hornbrook, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. The dam is one of a series of four dams along the Klamath River which are part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Now underway along the Oregon border, the process won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Sami Jo Difuntorum, Cultural Preservation Officer, Shasta Indian Nation, looks out on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at a reservoir from Copco 1 damn, that will be drawn down next year as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. The Shasta Indian Nation hopes to reclaim some of its land which was flooded when the dams were built a century ago. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
The Copco 1 Dam reservoir in Hornbook, Calif. is seen on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, which will be drawn down next year after the dam is removed as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
A fly fisherman stands in the Williamson River, which feeds into the Klamath River, in Chiloquin, Ore. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Tribal leaders hope the removal of a series of four dams along the California-Oregon border will lead to the return of salmon runs, which were devastated when the dams were built a century ago. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
The Iron Gate Dam is seen in Hornbrook, Calif., Sept. 17, 2023. The dam is one of a series of four dams along the Klamath River which are part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Now underway along the Oregon border, the process won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
The Iron Gate Dam is seen in Hornbrook, Calif., Sept. 17, 2023. The dam is one of a series of four dams along the Klamath River which are part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Now underway along the Oregon border, the process won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Dave Meurer, Director of Resource Environmental Solutions, shows blueprint plans for regrowing trees and vegetation on land at the Iron Gate Dam on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, along the Klamath River in Hornbrook, Calif. once the dam is removed and the reservoir drawn down. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Dave Meurer, Director of Resource Environmental Solutions, shows blueprint plans for regrowing trees and vegetation on land at the Iron Gate Dam on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, along the Klamath River in Hornbrook, Calif. once the dam is removed and the reservoir drawn down. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
A view shows the Copco 1 Dam in Hornbrook, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. The dam is one of a series of four dams along the Klamath River which are part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Now underway along the Oregon border, the process won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
A view shows the Copco 1 Dam in Hornbrook, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. The dam is one of a series of four dams along the Klamath River which are part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. Now underway along the Oregon border, the process won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Sami Jo Difuntorum, Cultural Preservation Officer, Shasta Indian Nation, looks out on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at a reservoir from Copco 1 damn, that will be drawn down next year as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. The Shasta Indian Nation hopes to reclaim some of its land which was flooded when the dams were built a century ago. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Sami Jo Difuntorum, Cultural Preservation Officer, Shasta Indian Nation, looks out on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at a reservoir from Copco 1 damn, that will be drawn down next year as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. The Shasta Indian Nation hopes to reclaim some of its land which was flooded when the dams were built a century ago. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
The Copco 1 Dam reservoir in Hornbook, Calif. is seen on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, which will be drawn down next year after the dam is removed as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
The Copco 1 Dam reservoir in Hornbook, Calif. is seen on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, which will be drawn down next year after the dam is removed as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
A fly fisherman stands in the Williamson River, which feeds into the Klamath River, in Chiloquin, Ore. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Tribal leaders hope the removal of a series of four dams along the California-Oregon border will lead to the return of salmon runs, which were devastated when the dams were built a century ago. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
A fly fisherman stands in the Williamson River, which feeds into the Klamath River, in Chiloquin, Ore. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Tribal leaders hope the removal of a series of four dams along the California-Oregon border will lead to the return of salmon runs, which were devastated when the dams were built a century ago. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border.
The project will remove four dams on the Klamath River. Work has already begun on removing the smallest of the four dams. The other three will come down next year.
The project is part of a larger trend across the U.S. to remove dams blocking the natural flow of rivers and streams. Some things to know as the project gets going:
WHY ARE THE DAMS BEING REMOVED?
The dams were built decades ago to generate electricity. But they also halted the natural flow of the river and disrupted the lifecycle of salmon. The fish are culturally and spiritually important to several Native American tribes in the area.
In 2002, a combination of low water levels and warm temperatures caused a bacterial outbreak that killed more than 34,000 fish. That propelled Native American tribes to campaign for removal of the dams.
After much negotiation, federal regulators approved a plan last year to remove the dams. PacifiCorp transferred the dams to a nonprofit that will oversee the project.
WHEN WILL THE DAMS BE REMOVED?
Work already has begun on removing the smallest of the four dams, known as Copco 2.
Removing the other three dams will take longer because those dams are much larger. Work is scheduled to begin in January and the dams should be removed by the end of 2024.
HOW WILL THE DAMS BE REMOVED?
There won’t be one giant explosion. Instead, workers will slowly drain the reservoirs behind the dams this spring. Once that work is done, crews will begin dismantling the dams, mostly using heavy machinery and some small explosives.
The work includes more than just demolition. Crews also will try to restore the area to the conditions before the dams were built. For years, Native American tribes have gathered seeds of native plants by hand. Those seeds were sent to nurseries, which grew more seeds to plant along the riverbanks.
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST AND WHO WILL PAY FOR IT?
The project has a $450 million budget, with a $50 million contingency fund. The cost is split between taxpayers and ratepayers of utility company PacifiCorp.