by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
Is the Klamath Dam removal just a giant social and scientific experiment – on humans in the region as well as fish and wildlife?
The removal of dams along the Klamath River in Siskiyou County, Northern California was sold to Californians as necessary to save salmon – specifically, “to restore habitat for endangered fish,” the Globe reported.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently released between 850,000 and 1 million salmon juveniles into Fall Creek which empties into the Klamath River, even after reports that “every living mollusk, crawdad, turtle, fish, insect in and about the river is DEAD!” William Simpson, a Siskiyou resident, told the Globe in an interview last week, when they were released that the juvenile salmon would also die because of the muddy clay sediment.
During a discussion with the Globe last Wednesday:
“Simpson said about 850,000 salmon fry were released into Fall Creek this week by California Fish And Wildlife. Fall Creek empties into the Klamath River.”
“Simpson said this is nuts. He said he is concerned that the volatile conditions in the Klamath River will likely hurt/kill the tiny fish as they enter the sediment-laden Klamath River, which he describes as mucky clay.”
“He said the ‘water flows are likely to be low in the coming months compounding adverse conditions for any aquatic life, let alone tiny salmonids that are quite vulnerable to turbidity and pollutants from clay lake bottom sediments.’”
The Globe had been alerted by Theodora Johnson that the CDFW was releasing approximately 1M juvenile salmon despite the deadly conditions. So we contacted Fish and Wildlife on Feb. 26, 2024 to ask why:
Hello Mr. Harris and Ms. Robinson,
I am a credentialed State Capitol reporter and have been covering the Klamath Dam removal.
I was informed of the fish hatchery release today of 1M juvenile salmon, under really bad conditions because of sediment levels.
It is my understanding that under these conditions, CDFW should be trying to rescue the juveniles.
Can you explain why and perhaps what the plan is?
Thank you,
Katy Grimes
California Globe
I received a response the following day telling me:
“Good morning Katy,
Thanks for reaching out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. All media inquiries are routed through our communications offices in Sacramento and one of our team of information officers. I will look into this matter and get back to you. Thanks again.”
