Wildlife Officials Prepare for Salmon to Return to Lower Klamath Lake

After more than a century away, salmon are once again pushing farther upstream on the Klamath River, and water managers in Oregon are preparing for the possibility that fish could soon move into new territory.

On September 26, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife released a short video showing a Chinook salmon leaping from the final pool of the Keno Dam fish ladder. It marked a milestone for the iconic species, which only recently regained access to historic spawning habitat after the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.

The Klamath Drainage District (KDD), which manages canals diverting water from the river, says it has been anticipating this moment. “We’ve been very aware of this possibility and have been planning with a variety of partners and stakeholders on how we can ensure the success of these fish…while providing water security for our landowners,” said KDD Manager Scott White.

One key effort is the Ady Canal Reconnection Project, also called “Replumbing the Klamath.” The project will reconnect the Klamath River to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, restoring wetland habitat for birds and potentially providing spawning grounds for salmon and other native fish. Smaller fish screens are planned for canal turnouts, allowing salmon access to Lower Klamath Lake while protecting farmland.

“Let’s be clear—there are no guarantees that salmon will make it into the district. But if they do, we want to be prepared,” White said.