Written by via americanrivers.org
Update February 16, 2024: The Copco 1, JC Boyle, and Iron Gate dams have fully completed the drawdown process which refers to the draining of each dams’ reservoir. Draining the reservoirs is a critical step on the path to deconstructing the remaining three Klamath River dams that are slated for removal later this year.
“With the reservoirs emptied, the Klamath River now winds its way through the former reservoir footprints, cutting though a century of accumulated sediment and finding its historical path. Extensive testing of the sediment that had accumulated behind the dams revealed that it is predominantly dead algae and is not a concern for human health.” – Klamath River Renewal Corporation