On August 28, construction crews completed the removal of the final two dams on the Klamath River, marking the near-completion of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. The $450 million initiative, led by Omaha-based Kiewit and South Africa’s Knight Piésold, involves dismantling four hydroelectric dams to restore fish habitats and migration routes.
The removal of the dams, including Iron Gate and Copco No. 1, will allow salmon to access critical spawning grounds for the first time in over a century. Although the dams contributed less than 2% to the former utility’s energy output, their removal is a significant environmental and ecological milestone.
The project, part of a broader trend driven by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, emphasizes the growing recognition of the environmental and safety risks posed by aging dams. Following the dam removals, restoration efforts will include planting 19 billion native seeds to rejuvenate surrounding ecosystems. Monitoring will continue to assess the river’s recovery and impact on local fish populations.
On August 28, construction crews finished removing the final two dams on the Klamath River, nearing the end of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. The $450 million project, led by Omaha-based Kiewit and South Africa’s Knight Piésold, dismantled four hydroelectric dams to restore fish habitats and migration routes. The removal of Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 will enable salmon to access critical spawning grounds for the first time in over a century. Although these dams contributed less than 2% of the former utility’s energy output, their removal marks a significant environmental milestone. The project, driven by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will include planting 19 billion native seeds and ongoing monitoring to support ecosystem recovery and fish population impacts.
