Living Downstream: The Klamath Water Wars

 


This is the story of a 15-year conflict over what would be the
biggest dam removal ever, a modern cowboys and Indians tale that
shows how victories for Native American rights still come with
fits of racism and armed conflict, and how rural folks learned to
make peace (and collaborate on an 1800-page Congressional bill).

 


It’s a complex story about a fight over shared (and limited)
water, with both sides fearing the disappearance of traditional
lifestyles.


 


Written and produced by Emrys Eller and his brother Greg Eller.


 


Language alert: some salty language courtesy of real folks who
lived this story.


 



 


Read more about the Klamath River Dam removal. 


 


(Image: John C. Boyle Dam on the Klamath River in southern
Oregon. This is one of the dams scheduled for demolition within
the next few years. Credit: Wikipedia/Bobjgalindo)


 


Editor's Note: This story was completed in 2018, before Gavin
Newson took over as governor from Jerry Brown. The timeline for
removal of the Klamath River dams is evolving. The most recent
estimates are that the California dams may start being
"deconstructed" in 2021.Comments are now open (until Feb. 26,
2019) on the California Environmental Impact Report.


 


From the Klamath Falls Oregon Herald and News:


 


The Notice of Availability and Draft EIR are available
at: https://bit.ly/2TcxefF. Additional information related
to the Lower Klamath Project water quality certification and
California Environmental Quality Act process can be found
at: https://bit.ly/2jwgIcL.




Comments on the draft EIR are due by noon, Feb. 26, and can
be sent to wr401program@waterboards.ca.gov, or Ms.
Michelle Siebal, State Water Resources Control Board,
Division of Water Rights — Water Quality Certification
Program, P.O. Box 2000, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000


A mural in Happy Camp, a small indian town in the Klamath
National Forest.


The Iron Gate Dam is the biggest and only earthen dam on the
Klamath River.


Emrys Eller on Copco 1, one of four dams slated for removal
along the California-Oregon border.


Iron Gate Dam.


Emrys Eller interviews Klamath Tribal leader Don Gentry near
an elementary school in Chiloquin, Oregon. In 2003, two men
shot up the signage of this native school amid tensions over
whether to remove dams on the Klamath River.


 Emrys Eller speaks with Karuk tribal leader Leaf
Hillman on the banks of the Klamath River.


Emrys Eller speaks with Karuk tribal leader Leaf Hillman on
the banks of the Klamath River.




Click the icon below to listen.