The Klamath Basin is vast, covering nearly 16,000 square-miles that stretch from high desert country in Oregon to lush redwood forests on the California coast. Central to the Basin, the mighty Klamath River stretches more than 250 miles before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Measured by average discharge, the Klamath is the second largest river in California – bested only by the Sacramento River. For countless thousands of years, the Klamath River fostered massive runs of salmon and steelhead. Tragically, Klamath salmon today hover on the verge of extinction. Not even significant hatchery operations can overcome the profoundly altered river system and the detrimental effects of four hydroelectric dams that block habitat, alter water temperature, and create ideal conditions for a devastating fish disease. KRRC’s mission is to remove the aging dams, restore the footprint of the reservoirs and give salmon a fighting chance to rebound. Learn more at klamathrenewal.org ... See more

This sounds like a wonderful event to kick off Love Your Rivers Week!

Although the rainbow is a natural phenomenon, cultures throughout the ages have assigned varied meanings to the fleeting prism arcing through the sky. The Norse viewed it as a bridge to the home of the gods, Abrahamic traditions see a promise from God not to destroy the world in a flood, and Irish folklore says that a pot of gold can be found where the rainbow meets the earth. There are dozens of other beliefs and traditions concerning the rainbow, often involving hope. KRRC snapped a photo of this rainbow over the Klamath River just as staff from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) wrapped up a meeting with the Yurok Tribe, where the FERC representatives heard impassioned pleas for dam removal. At KRRC, we have much hope for the river, for the tribes who depend on it, and for the future of all Klamath Basin communities. ... See more

“I can show you where my Dad used to go down there and spear them as they jumped over the falls. It was right below where John Boyle dam is now. I can show you exactly where he stood to take the salmon out. But I never knew anything about it because I was too young. They had a smoke house and they smoked them as long as the salmon came up, but then Copco put in that dam down below, above Hornbrook and that was the end of the salmon run.” -- Merle Anderson, descendent of settlers Hiram and Mary Spencer for whom Spencer Creek was named, discussing the area known as Moonshine Falls. Read more here: https://klamathrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16-08-23-Hampton-Oregon-historical-society-paper.pdf ... See more

We can’t think of a better way to explore the Klamath River than the quiet adventure of gliding across the water in a redwood dugout canoe expertly piloted by members of the Yurok Tribe. Unchanged for thousands of years, the Yurok dugout canoe honors the tallest trees on earth by giving them new life as prized creations. A serene two-hour trip allows you time to soak up information and storytelling about the wildlife, geography and history of the Klamath River and the people who have relied on it from time immemorial. Learn more at https://visityurokcountry.com/canoes/

And learn more about the epic effort to restore the Klamath River at klamathrenewal.org ... See more