Dams |
US’ largest dam removal project underway
PacifiCorp’s historic dam removal initiative, marking the largest project of its kind in the US, has officially commenced. Four dams will be removed, restoring the Klamath River to its natural flow and revitalizing salmon habitats
Above: Before removal activities at Copco No 2 dam © Shane Anderson Swiftwater Films
Below: Removal underway at Copco No 2 © Shane Anderson Swiftwater Films
AT THE END OF March 2023, work officially got underway to remove the four large dams that comprise the Lower Klamath Hydropower Project in the US. “Crews are already in the field doing the preliminary work for dam removal,” explained Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) Chief Executive Officer Mark Bransom at the time. “This work includes bridge upgrades, new road construction to access the dam sites more easily, worksite development, and more.”
The plan to remove the lower four Klamath River dams (Copco No.1 and 2, Iron Gate, and JC Boyle) and restore the 61km river reach to a natural free flowing condition stems from an agreement between previous dam owner PacifiCorp, the states of California and Oregon, the Karuk and Yurok Tribes, and a host of conservation and fishing organisations. The plan was formally approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission late last year. “These dams provide no irrigation for agriculture,
are not operated for flood control, and generate very little power,” explained KRRC Board president Brian Johnson. “But they do play a huge role in the decline of Pacific salmon. This project aims to fix that.” The project is funded by US$200 million from PacifiCorp and US$250 million from a California Water Bond passed in 2014. “We have several milestones associated with the
project to highlight this year,” noted Bransom, “this includes the replacement of a drinking water line for the city of Yreka in May and the removal of Copco 2 Dam.” The three larger dams are to be removed next year with removal of all four dams completed by the end of 2024; however, the restoration of the river reach impacted by the dams will take longer. That restoration process is already underway as well. “We wanted to get a running start on this project,”
explained Dave Coffman, the Northern California and Southern Oregon Director of Resource Environmental
38 | October 2023 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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