California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
The Klamath River, which runs from Southern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean in Northern California, will soon have four hydroelectric dams removed from its waterways. California, Oregon and the feds – via the Departments of the Interior and Commerce – are working with the dams’ owner, PacifiCorp, to remove the dams, despite objection from Congress.
The decision came about because Congress failed to make a decision on the dams by the December 31st deadline. PacifiCorp decided it was not cost effective to meet California’s water-quality standards and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s relicensing requirements.
The move is seen as a win-win situation for both PacifiCorp and environmentalists. PacifiCorp will save over $400 million in keeping the dams open; environmentalists will see more water for Northern California’s salmon population. In previous years, the dams have created stagnant pools of water, resulting in toxic algae that then cause salmon death.
“The Klamath agreements were the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration across a diverse and committed coalition of parties – and we can’t let that local vision go unfulfilled,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “This agreement-in-principle is an important initial step as we work toward a comprehensive set of actions to advance the long term progress and sustainability for tribes, fisheries and water users across the Klamath Basin.”
Once the process is completed, all four hydroelectric dams are expected to be decommissioned and removed by 2020.
