Removal of four hydropower dams (Iron Gate, Copco 1, Copco 2, and J.C. Boyle) on the Klamath River in northern California and southern Oregon represents the largest dam removal and river restoration project in the country. The project restores free-flowing conditions and volitional fish passage to more than 400 miles of historic anadromous fish habitat upstream of the former lower-most dam site, Iron Gate. RES was selected by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation to lead restoration for this ambitious effort, as well as accept liability associated with ensuring restoration meets ecological and biological performance standards and long-term goals/objectives. RES is leading design and implementation efforts for the restoration of nearly four miles of priority tributary streams and associated fish habitat, as well as vegetation restoration for approximately 2,200 acres of previously inundated lands. This presentation provides a look back at the past two years of dam removal and restoration actions accomplished, lessons learned along the way, and how RES has positioned restoration for the years ahead.
The Network for Engineering With Nature® (EWN) invites you to the N-EWN Knowledge Series: A Continuing Education Series about Engineering with Nature—The Lower Klamath Project – The World’s Largest Dam Removal and River Restoration Project, presented by Dave Coffman, PG – Director, Northern California and Southern Oregon Operations | Sr. Fluvial Geomorphologist from Resource Environmental Solutions LLC. This 1-hour Zoom webinar took place July 17, 2025 at 12:30pm ET.
For previously recorded seminars, please visit the N-EWN Seminars page.
Supplemental Links
- Voice of America The Inside Story Video – Undamming the Klamath
- Social Impact Study – Stanford and Karuk Tribe
- Podcast: What it takes to take down a dam
- Amy Bowers Cordalis; Yurok Tribe – Bioneers Talk: The Water Remembers: Year Zero
- Storymap: Klamath River Restoration
- News article: Young indigenous kayakers about to complete historic river journey, after ‘largest dam removal in US history’
