Why we blew up a dam — and saved a river | Amy Bowers Cordalis

The removal of the dams on the Klamath River, initiated by Indigenous peoples, marks a significant milestone in environmental restoration, being the largest dam removal in American history and the largest salmon restoration project globally. This action was driven by the alarming decline of salmon populations, which had plummeted to just 5 percent of their historical abundance, exacerbated by a catastrophic event in 2002 that resulted in the death of over 70,000 adult salmon.

Despite opposition from powerful corporations that feared the release of toxic sediment and potential damage to the river, a $500 million settlement agreement was reached. This agreement recognized the rights of nature, business, and Indigenous peoples, paving the way for the river's recovery. In the first year following the dam removal, approximately 7,000 salmon were observed passing the former dam site, with numbers expected to rise to 13,000 by 2025 as they return to their historical spawning grounds.

The Uroch tribe, along with other Indigenous tribes, is actively engaged in restoration efforts, employing both tribal members and non-members to plant 20 billion native seeds. This initiative is part of a broader ecosystem restoration strategy aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges, with the potential to prevent 800,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. Amy Bowers Cordalis emphasizes the necessity of recognizing Indigenous rights as fundamental to progress and advocates for grassroots efforts and coalition building.

Reflecting on her family's legacy, Bowers Cordalis shares that her great grandmother and grandmother were passionate advocates for the river, inspiring her to pursue a legal career in 2002 to continue their fight. While acknowledging that salmon runs remain compromised, she expresses optimism for their recovery and underscores the importance of reconnecting with nature and embracing Indigenous wisdom in a technology-driven world. The Klamath project serves as a model for collaborative efforts in dam removal, reinforcing the principle that compromising the earth to an unsustainable extent is unacceptable.