Klamath River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study

PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Klamath Basin is a 9.5-million-acre river watershed in central southern Oregon and northwest California and is home to what was the third largest salmon run on the west coast of the contiguous United States. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) manages the Klamath Irrigation Project for which construction began in 1905 and now serves over 225,000 acres of irrigated croplands and two U.S. wildlife refuges. The Klamath River is a nationally significant river and is the focus of large-scale restoration efforts including wetlands and floodplain restoration, water quality projects, fish habitat enhancement, reinstatement of fish passage and other efforts. A highly unique and unprecedented scale of restoration is being planned for the Klamath River basin following the scheduled removal of four privately owned dams-JC Boyle, Copco No. 1 & No. 2, and Iron Gate. The removal of these dams will allow for the restoration of over 400 miles of newly opened anadromous fish habitat, the restoration of formerly inundated lands, and the elimination of annual toxic algae blooms that occur within the existing reservoirs. The non-federal sponsor for the study is the Yurok Tribe.

TOTAL FUNDING

            TOTAL COST                                                                            $     3,200,000

            FEDERAL COST                                                                       $      2,358,000*

            NON-FEDERAL COST                                                               $      842,000* 

            TOTAL FEDERAL COST THROUGH FY 2025                            $      800,000

            FY 2026 BUDGET                                                                     $      0  

            COST TO COMPLETE                                                               $      1,558,000 ‡  

            *Reflects the tribal waiver amount

               ‡Figure includes FY26 Budget request

FY 26 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Updates in progress. Check back soon for more information.

FY 25 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Project team developed a Project Management Plan
• Project team developed measures and alternatives.

FY 24 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Project received an FY24 appropriation in the President’s Budget for $500,000
• Executed a Feasibility Cost-Share Agreement with the non-federal sponsor.

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• The non-federal sponsor, the Yurok Tribe, is a federally recognized tribe and therefore enables the project to be eligible for a tribal waiver, which is an amount credited towards the non-federal cost share amount.

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST­

• 1^st District, CA (Vacant)
• 2^nd District, OR, Rep. Cliff Bentz

POINT OF CONTACT

• Deputy for Project Management, Thomas R. Williams, 415-503-6560

Updated on 20 February 2026