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The Klamath River The Klamath River Watershed
The Klamath River, the third largest river on the west coast, was once one of the most productive salmon rivers in the country with over a million salmon returning to spawn in its waters each year. Now the Klamath River is only a shadow of its former self due to dams, diversions, agriculture, industrial pollution, mining, road building and poor forestry.
The Klamath River is still a vitally important salmon river for Native American tribes and commercial fishermen. Because its human communities are primarily small and rural, the Klamath has a better chance for restoration then any of the West's major salmon-bearing rivers in rapidly urbanizing areas.
As the Klamath River flows from Crater Lake and the wetlands of Oregon’s upper Klamath basin to Northern California’s coastal redwoods, nine major rivers and hundreds of creeks feed into it.
Fishes of the Klamath River
The Klamath River is a center of biological diversity for fish species. Many know that the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion hosts the highest diversity of conifer species in the world. However, many do not know that it is the most diverse river in the world for lamprey species, or that it hosts bull, redband and steelhead trout, three species of salmon, at least three species of suckers, and the last spawning population of green sturgeon on the West Coast.
All of these fish species were, or still are, used by the four recognized tribes of the Klamath River. The Karuk, Yurok, Hoopa and Klamath Tribes are some of the largest tribes left in the West Coast and are actively managing and fighting for the Klamath River fisheries. Read more about the tribes on our Environmental Justice page.
The Klamath Salmon
Did you know that there are actually three species of salmon on the Klamath River, two of which are on the edge of extinction?
The Fall Run Chinook Salmon are the healthiest of these species and are the one that controls all fishing restrictions within the Klamath Management Zone, which runs over 700 miles from Morrow Bay in Southern California to Northern Oregon. The fall run Chinook are the ones that died in the infamous “fish kill” of 2001 and comprise the most important fishery for commercial fishing and tribal subsistence. Dangerously low numbers of Fall Chinook are the reason for the 2006-7 commercial fishing restrictions.
The Spring Run Chinook Salmon are the most endangered of all the Klamath Salmon, with some years runs numbering only one hundred fish. This is the species that comes early and traditionally used the cool springs above the Klamath dams. Studies show that the Spring Chinook used creeks all the way up into the Williamson River in the Upper Basin. Now, due to the Klamath dams, the last of the wild Klamath River spring Chinook are in the Salmon River and the south fork Trinity Rivers. Unlike every other river in the west, the Klamath River Spring Chinook are not considered a species and are not managed at all. While the fall season is shutdown due to low numbers, the last of the Spring Chinook are still being caught even though they are on the verge of extinction.
Klamath River Coho Salmon: The Klamath River Coho is the only species of salmon on the river that is listed under the Endangered Species Act, and comes into the river later then the Chinook species. These salmon like floodplains for spawning and traditionally liked the Scott and Shasta Rivers, in the mid Basin.
The Klamath Coho do not have a recovery plan, nor is any of the take (or killing) of these species permitted. Currently Native Springs is very involved in the Watershed Wide Take permits proposed by California on the Scott and Shasta Rivers. Removal of the Klamath Dams, making sure Coho experience very little “take,” and creating fish passage and cool flows at the Dwinnell Reservoirs on the Shasta River are our top priorities for Klamath Coho.
The Klamath River Sturgeon: The Klamath River is the last spawning ground for the ancient Green Sturgeon, which is becoming increasingly rare. Modern science knows very little about these massive creatures, which can get as large as 10 feet long, and like to hang out under fast moving water.
The Klamath River Lamprey species, including Pacific Lamprey, are a parasitic eel-like species. Lamprey are an important food source to the Karuk, Yurok and Hoopa Tribe, therefore much of the science on lamprey is coming from the tribes. The Klamath River is the most diverse place in the world for lamprey species and has at least five separate species. Most of these species occur no- where else but the Klamath River.
The Lost River and Shortnose Suckers or C’wam. The last of these species are mainly in Upper Klamath Lake and the upper reservoirs on the Lost River. They spawn in rivers such as the Williamson, where a dam is currently being removed to aid this species, and in lakes. The suckers are a major food source for the Klamath Tribe, who petitioned to put them on the endangered species list to assure their recovery for future generations. Many of the current water decisions on the Klamath are based on the listing of the Lost River and Shortnose Suckers or C’wam.
Klamath River Bull Trout live in tributaries such as the Sycan and Sprague Rivers above Upper Klamath Lake. Like most species on the Klamath, they have recently been subject to poor water conditions on the Klamath due to the dams on the river and the lack of adequate water flow.
Investing in a Restoration Economy on the Klamath
Dam removal means a $200-500 million investment in deconstruction, which means new jobs in Siskiyou County and a huge cash influx to local businesses. As salmon runs recover, toxic algae disappears, and the river regains its natural look, fishermen and recreationalists will flock to the Klamath. The local tourism and angling industry is currently in decline, and this investment in the “restoration economy” will turn that around, drawing visitors to raft, explore and fish the Klamath’s famous waters. Riverfront property values will likely increase as water quality improves, and struggling coastal fishermen will get their jobs back.
Environmental Justice and the
Klamath River Community
What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental justice efforts work to address the disproportionate adverse environmental impacts that may exist in minority and low-income communities.
Environmental Justice on the Klamath River
Native Peoples and poor communities in rural areas are also fighting the same corporations for control of local water and forest resources, and thus their lives.
The Klamath, Karuk (upriver), Yurok (downriver), and Hoopa tribes in the Klamath Basin have cultures that are deeply connected to the land. Today these tribes and other nature-dependant people in the region are suffering from loss of land and fisheries, and the loss of the traditional diet, which also affects cultural practices. However, the people of this region are very strong and are fighting for their way of life. They continue to be stewards of the forest and rivers and to lead the struggles to save the Klamath River and Klamath Salmon. |
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