Agreement signed to remove four Klamath River dams

Klamath, Calif. – Four dams on the Klamath River will be removed by 2020 as part of restoration agreement signed by the states of Oregon and California, PacifiCorp, and the U.S. Department of the Interior and Commerce.

A separate agreement was also signed, known as the 2016 Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement, or the KPFA. Oregon Governor Kate Brown says this agreement will help irrigators in the Klamath Basin avoid possible negative financial impacts that could result from the expected return of fish runs to the Upper Klamath Basin.

California Governor Jerry Brown said, ““This historic agreement will enable Oregon and California and the interested parties to get these four dams finally removed and the Klamath River restored to its pristine beauty.”

The signing ceremony took place at the mouth of the Klamath River in Klamath, California on Wednesday morning.

According to Gov. Kate Brown, PacifiCorp, the existing dam owner, will transfer the license to operate the Klamath River dams to a private company known as the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. This company will then oversee dam removal.