What will be the largest dam removal in history

Just curious, how many hatcheries does the Klamath currently have on it?

I know the Elwha had one prior to removal then they built a new one.
I have nothing against hatchery fish but in the Elwha's case, I think they blew a golden opportunity to see what the fish could do on their own. Especially with the habitat available in the park.
I know there was concern that sediment could wipe the fish out, but that seems to short change what the fish are capable of doing themselves.
Maybe I'm wrong, but in the case of the Elwha it seems the goal is to get as many fish back as soon as possible so harvest can begin again.
SF
 
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If you’ve never been on the K, it’s a special place. Even though it has a road from I5 to Weitchpec (mouth of the Trinity) on the north bank for 125 miles, one can see bear and cat tracks on sand bars. Lots of room and it holds a special place in my heart. I’m so excited to see this happen. Salmon in Klamath Lake and tributaries? Can’t wait.
 
Stonedfish said:
Just curious, how many hatcheries does the Klamath currently have on it?

I know the Elwha had one prior to removal then they built a new one.
I have nothing against hatchery fish but in the Elwha's case, I think they blew a golden opportunity to see what the fish could do on their own. Especially with the habitat available in the park.
I know there was concern that sediment could wipe the fish out, but that seems to short change what the fish are capable of doing themselves.
Maybe I'm wrong, but In the case of the Elwha it seems the goal is to get as many fish back as soon possible so harvest can begin again.
SF
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Only one at Iron Gate, the lower dam, iirc.
 
Robert Engleheart said:
If you’ve never been on the K, it’s a special place. Even though it has a road from I5 to Weitchpec (mouth of the Trinity) on the north bank for 125 miles, one can see bear and cat tracks on sand bars. Lots of room and it holds a special place in my heart. I’m so excited to see this happen. Salmon in Klamath Lake and tributaries? Can’t wait.
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I'm not sure I wasn't fed a line of BS but - I was fishing the Klamath just downstream of the dam at Keno (1976-'77). There was an old guy fishing nightcrawlers with a bamboo rod. He had a couple very nice rainbows on a stringer. I wandered over to admire his catch and started chatting with him. He told me stories of when he was a we lad that he remembered Native Americans fishing the Klamath and harvesting huge Chinook that they'd split and dry along the river. I loved the story and to this day believe he was telling me something he witnessed. 🤞
 
The sediment in the Elwha was nothing compared to what this is going to be. This is going to be massive, nutrient rich, and a major problem. I hope they have a plan that's going to work.
 
Sounds like they’ll have to build at least four new hatcheries…..you know, to save todays wimpy fish. 😉
Thankfully when Mt St Helen’s blew there was only minor silting so the fish could survive.
SF
 
Stonedfish said:
Sounds like they’ll have to build at least four new hatcheries…..you know, to save todays wimpy fish. 😉
Thankfully when Mt St Helen’s blew there was only minor silting so the fish could survive.
SF
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Brian - there's also a second, smaller hatchery at Fall Creek (which flows into Iron Gate Reservoir).

Last I heard, Iron Gate and Fall Creek Hatcheries will continue to operate and supplement fish populations during the recolonization of the newly accessible upstream habitat up to about 10 years post dam removal. It's not without controversy as environment groups have challenged this decision. I know a couple of fisheries biologists at the Yreka CA DFW office - I will ask them if this plan has changed.
 
RRSmith said:
Brian - there's also a second, smaller hatchery at Fall Creek (which flows into Iron Gate Reservoir).

Last I heard, Iron Gate and Fall Creek Hatcheries will continue to operate and supplement fish populations during the recolonization of the newly accessible upstream habitat up to about 10 years post dam removal. It's not without controversy as environment groups have challenged this decision. I know a couple of fisheries biologists at the Yreka CA DFW office - I will ask them if this plan has changed.
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The biggest problem I see is that having hatchery fish present after habitat restoration muddies the water and makes the results of the restoration unclear.

The tribes will have newspaper stories run constantly. "Salmon in upper Klamath tributaries for the first time in a billion years"
And that kind of thing which is completely meaningless unless those fish find suitable spawning and rearing habitat and then are able to return non hatchery spawners in increasing numbers is successive generations. The only measure of success is an increase in population of naturally reproducing adults.
 
RRSmith said:
Brian - there's also a second, smaller hatchery at Fall Creek (which flows into Iron Gate Reservoir).

Last I heard, Iron Gate and Fall Creek Hatcheries will continue to operate and supplement fish populations during the recolonization of the newly accessible upstream habitat up to about 10 years post dam removal. It's not without controversy as environment groups have challenged this decision. I know a couple of fisheries biologists at the Yreka CA DFW office - I will ask them if this plan has changed.
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Bob,
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
SF
 
Rob Allen said:
The biggest problem I see is that having hatchery fish present after habitat restoration muddies the water and makes the results of the restoration unclear.

The tribes will have newspaper stories run constantly. "Salmon in upper Klamath tributaries for the first time in a billion years"
And that kind of thing which is completely meaningless unless those fish find suitable spawning and rearing habitat and then are able to return non hatchery spawners in increasing numbers is successive generations. The only measure of success is an increase in population of naturally reproducing adults.
Click to expand...
I'm not necessarily advocating for hatchery supplementation in this particular case but they will need hatchery springers to help recolonize the tributaries draining into Upper Klamath Lake. Currently, Iron Gate Hatchery has a cutting edge genetics program for coho which was designed by Mike Miller. He's the guy from UC Davis that was part of the team that discovered the springer gene and is featured in The Lost Salmon documentary.

Rather than talk out my arse, I'll see if I can get more details from those that are currently involved.
 
In such a water-stressed basin with lots of Ag like the Klamath, does this mean that farmers with massive perfected water rights will still irrigate, but now it will be without all the dam storage and so withdrawals will dewater the river?
Fingers crossed for improving water quality and fish populations (not just salmon) as a result of dam removal, to go along with the restored river system connectivity.
www.opb.org

C’waam and Koptu: The fish at the center of the Klamath Basin’s water crisis

In the drought-stricken Klamath Basin along the California-Oregon border, water is a precious resource. Who gets that water hinges, in large part, on two types of fish that live only there.
www.opb.org www.opb.org
 
Matt B said:
In such a water-stressed basin with lots of Ag like the Klamath, does this mean that farmers with massive perfected water rights will still irrigate, but now it will be without all the dam storage and so withdrawals will dewater the river?
Fingers crossed for improving water quality and fish populations (not just salmon) as a result of dam removal, to go along with the restored river system connectivity.
www.opb.org

C’waam and Koptu: The fish at the center of the Klamath Basin’s water crisis

In the drought-stricken Klamath Basin along the California-Oregon border, water is a precious resource. Who gets that water hinges, in large part, on two types of fish that live only there.
www.opb.org www.opb.org
Click to expand...
The farmers will still have water through the BOR project as the dam at the outlet of Upper Klamath Lake will remain in place. Water quality should improve with the removal of the four dams downstream of the lake.
 
The Klamath Range averages 80 inches of rain a year, so whereas it may take a decade or more, eventually the river should flush itself out.
If one was only able to fish Norcal, the Sacremento, Klamath, Trinity, Hat Creek, Fall River (what a gem) and the many lakes large (the u-boats in Ahjumawi and Big Lake) and small all the way to the Nevada border...it would keep one busy
 
SurfnFish said:
The Klamath Range averages 80 inches of rain a year, so whereas it may take a decade or more, eventually the river should flush itself out.
If one was only able to fish Norcal, the Sacremento, Klamath, Trinity, Hat Creek, Fall River (what a gem) and the many lakes large (the u-boats in Ahjumawi and Big Lake) and small all the way to the Nevada border...it would keep one busy
Click to expand...
I've still been meaning to tackle Big Lake, now that I have a pedal drive kayak I think I better do it. I've heard incredible things!

You're right, we've got quite a bit of good water up here!
 
Just when is this supposed to start. They won't take them out all at once and one at a time will take a few years and then you have to let the river heal it's self. It might happen in about 10 years.

How long has it been dams were removed on the Elwha. It's been a while and you still can't fish it.
 
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