RIVER OF THE MONTH
Klamath River A jewel of the Pacific Coast, the Klamath is the third largest river flowing into the Pacific south of Canada and was once one of the greatest salmon and steelhead rivers on the continent. Originating from Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon, it runs the gauntlet of four dams and then flows dam-free for 188 wild and scenic river miles to California’s Redwood Coast, fed by a suite of stellar tributaries along its 257-mile journey.
Why It Matters
Fish
DAVE JENSEN
The Klamath once had the third-largest salmon returns on the West Coast, and it remains a powerhouse of Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout. Its waters also support sturgeon, lamprey and two endangered sucker fish found nowhere else. Blue Creek, on the lower river, is now home to a 15,000-acre salmon sanctuary thanks to WRC’s recent efforts (see reverse).
DENNIS CHURCH
THOMAS DUNKLIN
Though hobbled by dams and water diversions, the Klamath is unmatched on the West Coast for its combination of wild and free-flowing sections, intact forests and marshes, surviving native fish runs and spectacular recreation. When four dams are removed in the coming decade, it will restore access to more than 350 miles of fish habitat and present arguably the best opportunity to restore a major river in America.
Wildlife
The Klamath is a global hotspot of biodiversity with more than 400 wildlife species and thousands of plant species. The upper Klamath houses the largest freshwater wetland in the West, which draws millions of birds navigating the Pacific Flyway. Vast wilderness and old-growth forests harbor imperiled wildlife like Humboldt marten and northern spotted owl, as well as deer, elk, mountain lion and black bear.