The Klamath River watershed (in northern California and southern Oregon) has transformed from an area infamous for conflict (pitting farm interests against tribal and fish interests for decades) to a symbol of hope. The five years from 2013-2018 were a rollercoaster – partners came together to sign an agreement on water allocation, stream health, and economic development; multiple agreements expired because of inaction from Congress; yet people came back to the table to re-negotiate a solution. While many more years of work remain before we see comprehensive restoration of the Klamath, agreements are now in place to remove four dams.
This documentary video, which Hovland Consulting shot in March 2018 (even through some snow, as shown in the photo), captures some of the people working to protect the watershed, the river, and its communities. Interviews include members from the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, commercial and recreational fishermen, dedicated conservationists, invested farmers, supportive lawyers, and youth groups.
Originally, all had hoped for dam removal in 2020, and while this timing did not work out, momentum and progress continue to be made and efforts are in place (with a recently-signed memorandum of understanding in November 2020) to remove the dams by 2023.
Special thanks to my friend Amy Cordalis of the Yurok Tribe for showing us the Estuary and Blue Creek tributary of the Klamath, sharing her Yurok family song in the video, and for her continued work to protect and restore the river for her tribe.
