Fish and wildlife officials, tribal leaders celebrate triumph over ‘unmovable obstacle’
EBS STAFF
On Oct. 16, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife identified a fall-run Chinook salmon in the Klamath River above the former J.C. Boyle Dam, signifying the first anadromous—migrating from sea to spawn—salmon to return to the Klamath Basin since new hydroelectric dams began blocking migration in 1912.
An ODFW press release stated that the salmon, and others, likely traveled roughly 230 miles from the Pacific Ocean to reach the tributary, only months after four Klamath River dams were removed to ensure fish passage from California to Oregon.
“This is an exciting and historic development in the Klamath Basin that demonstrates the resiliency of salmon and steelhead,” ODFW Director Debbie Colbert stated in the release. “It also inspires us to continue restoration work in the upper basin. I want to thank everyone that has contributed to this effort over the last two decades.”
As fish began migrating back into habitat above the former dams due to the “historic” restoration project, ODFW has worked with The Klamath Tribes and other partners to monitor Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey.
“The return of our relatives, the c’iyaal’s, is overwhelming for our tribe. This is what our members worked for and believed in for so many decades,” stated Roberta Frost, Klamath Tribes Secretary. “I want to honor that work and thank them for their persistence in the face of what felt like an unmovable obstacle. The salmon are just like our tribal people, and they know where home is and returned as soon as they were able.”
“C’iyaal’s are culture carriers,” stated Natalie Ball, representing the Klamath Tribes Council. “I’m excited for their return home and for us to be in relation with them again.”
One day prior to discovering the salmon, the survey team saw the dorsal fin of a large fish. They suspected it was a salmon or large rainbow trout—the team was “ecstatic” when they identified the first salmon the next day, according to the release.
