CDFW: Coho Salmon Returning to Klamath River Basin For 1st Time in Over 60 Years
Coho salmon, a threatened species, are slowly returning to the Klamath River Basin, now that the dam blocking their passage is gone.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials on Nov. 22 reported the first returns of cohos to the upper Klamath River Basin in over 60 years, following removal of the former Iron Gate Dam, which was completed last month.
CDFW officials said that not since construction of Iron Gate in the early 1960s have they documented coho salmon in their historic habitat in the upper watershed. The dam was one of four hydroelectric dams built on the Klamath River between 1908 and 1962 to generate electricity.
The state agency report said that on Nov. 13, seven coho salmon entered the CDFW’s new Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County. The creek wa...