Klamath River Recovery Is Underway, But the River Still Needs Time, Water, and Healing, Says Karuk Tribe

Press release from the Karuk Tribe:

The Karuk Tribe [Tuesday] emphasized that Klamath River dam removal remains a historic and necessary step toward salmon recovery, while cautioning that recent detections of fish disease among juvenile salmon show that the river is still in the early stages of healing.

Following dam removal, the Klamath has shown encouraging signs, including strong adult salmon returns and significant juvenile salmon outmigration from river reaches that had been devoid of salmon for a century. At the same time, monitoring has detected elevated levels of Ceratonova shasta (C. shasta), a fish parasite that can cause serious disease in juvenile salmon.

Tribal fisheries staff note that the disease detections are occurring during a difficult water year marked by low snowpack, early snowmelt, low flows, and high water temperatures. These conditions can increase stress on juvenile salmon and create more favorable conditions for disease transmission.

“Dam removal gave the Klamath River and our fish a fighting chance,” said Karuk Vice Chairman Kenneth Brink. “But no one should confuse dam removal with an instant cure. The river was damaged for more than a century. It will take time, strong winter flows, habitat restoration, and continued care to bring it back to health.”

The Tribe stressed that recent disease detections should not be interpreted as evidence that dam removal has failed. Rather, they demonstrate the complexity of river recovery after more than 100 years of altered flows, blocked habitat, degraded water quality, and disrupted ecological processes.

“The science is telling us two things at once,” said Karuk Senior Biologist Toz Soto. “First, salmon are now using their historic range, including areas with cold spring water. That is exactly why dam removal is important. Second, this year’s historic low flows and associated warm-water conditions are hard on young fish and can increase the risk of disease. The Klamath is recovering, but it is not yet recovered fully.”

Soto notes that large numbers of wild juvenile salmon migrated out to sea before the disease rates reached their height, and the bulk of dying fish appeared to be from the Fall Creek Hatchery.

C. shasta is not new to the Klamath River. It is a long-standing disease issue that is influenced by river conditions, including flow, temperature, habitat, and the parasite’s life cycle. Fisheries scientists have long understood that strong seasonal flows can help improve river conditions by moving sediment, disturbing disease-related habitat, and supporting healthier ecological processes.

“One good year or one bad year will not define the future of this river,” Soto said. “What we need now are several winters with strong flushing flows, continued habitat restoration, and careful monitoring so the river can rebuild the natural functions that salmon depend on.”

“How federal agencies manage water in the coming year is key,” said Brink. “We need a water strategy that doesn’t favor the needs of agriculture over fisheries. It’s difficult in years like this, which is one of the driest on record.”

The Karuk Tribe believes communications about the river must be honest about both progress and challenges. Dam removal reconnected the river and restored access to historic habitat, but full recovery will require sustained commitment from Tribal governments, federal and state agencies, restoration partners, water managers, and the public.

“The Klamath story is no longer only about removing dams,” Brink said. “It is about restoring the relationship between the river, the fish, and the people. That work is underway, but it is long-term work. We owe it to the salmon and to future generations to stay focused.”

The Tribe will continue working with federal, state, Tribal, and local partners to monitor juvenile salmon health, track disease conditions, support habitat restoration, and advocate for river flows that improve salmon survival.