Klamath Dam Removal Update

[Barry L. Alan]

On Monday, June 1st I spoke with a representative of the KRRC (Klamath River Restoration Corporation).
First, the KRRC is very appreciative of the many letters that FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
received from the readers of this forum urging FERC to transfer the PacificCorp licenses to KRRC so that dam removal on the Klamath River can remain on schedule. Second, FERC did not request any new information or documents from the KRRC last month. KRRC thinks that is a positive sign. KRRC is very hopeful that FERC will vote to transfer the licenses this month--June 2020.
Thanks again for your help in helping to restore the Klamath river!

Barry L Alan

[John H]

That is good news. I am nervous about the FERC approval. Seems like there is potential for political interference. It will be nice to see that complete.

Thanks for keeping us updated.

[hwchubb]

Fingers crossed ...
Thanks for the update Barry!

[STEELIES/26c3]

Awesome! Thanks Barry

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

In my life time, the removal now of small, defunct dams, World wide, is so inspiring that it gives me hope.

The amazing Klamath river would be so good to see opened up with gravel flowing.

My dream would be to fish it after the dams are down......


Old Joe Shirshac introduced many of us Baby Boomers to the Klamath river in the 1970s.

[Andy]

My dream would be to fish it after the dams are down......

That is a quote verbatim from the guy who got me out on and into my first Klamath steelhead almost 25 years ago.

I've never met a fellow angler who had the pre Klamath dam experience. I often daydream through the old classic California Steelhead longing for the pre 80's era when a "brace" of Klamath steelhead, most far larger than what we catch today, was reality. I think the dam free Klamath will exceed even the best daydream. I already have a run above Copco picked out for the first post dam swing day, on a dry line sporting an Assassin or maybe a Burlap.

Andy

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Many years ago (1940s?) the roads were bad, car tires were bad so not many fished the Klamath river.

I read somewhere that way back they were raising and lowing the flow dramatically, daily, which really screwed up the fishing.

Somehow, for fishing, they got that stopped.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Here is some info from an old friend:

_________________________________


a) For a good read about fishing the Klamath and Trinity Rivers (pre-WWII), read the book "Steelhead" by Claude M. Kreider. It was published in 1948. It also has accounts of fishing the Rogue River and the Eel River back in those days.

b) As I understand it, Iron Gate Dam was built about 60 years ago to stop the drastic flow fluctuations from operation of the Copco dams upstream.

c) There are still drastic flow fluctuations from JC Boyle dam in OR.

d) Iron Gate, Copco 1, Copco 2, and JC Boyle are the dams that are slated to be removed.

e) The Copco dams have blocked salmon and steelhead migration up the Klamath into OR for about 100 years. Removal of the four dams will also, if I understand it correctly, also eliminate the drastic flow fluctuations.

GY

[robdog]

I just discovered that The Iron Gate Dam is being removed. I don't know what to think. I love that area around Hornbrook. I am sure that White Perch will be devastated, but I am sure the Trout/Steelhead & Salmon will prosper.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

OMG.........this is amazing.

[avidangler]

I just discovered that The Iron Gate Dam is being removed. I don't know what to think. I love that area around Hornbrook. I am sure that White Perch will be devastated, but I am sure the Trout/Steelhead & Salmon will prosper.They are supposed to prosper. Yellow perch shouldn't even be here.