Klamath basin irrigation managers say return of salmon has brought new challenges – KGW

Klamath River Restoration: Progress and Challenges in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Milestone for Ecosystem Recovery and Sustainable Development

The recent removal of four dams on the Lower Klamath River represents a significant advancement toward achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By reopening hundreds of miles of historical spawning habitat, the project has initiated the recovery of Chinook salmon populations. However, this success has introduced unforeseen challenges, creating a complex interplay between ecological restoration and agricultural sustainability, highlighting conflicts with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

The Dam Removal Project: Aligning with Global Sustainability Targets

The decommissioning of the Klamath River dams, which had been in place since 1918, marks a pivotal moment in environmental stewardship. The project directly addresses several SDGs:

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): The primary objective was to restore the natural river flow and biodiversity, allowing for the repopulation of native salmon species. This is a direct action to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The dams provided a minimal amount of hydropower (approximately 2% of PacificCorp’s electricity), and their removal reflects a transition toward more sustainable and less ecologically damaging resource management strategies.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The project was the culmination of decades of advocacy and collaboration between tribal nations, state governments, and federal regulators.

Initial Successes and Ecological Milestones

Following the final dam removal in October 2024, positive ecological indicators emerged rapidly, demonstrating progress toward restoring the river’s health in line with SDG 14.

1. Rapid Return of Salmon: Within one week of the final removal, a Chinook salmon was documented swimming past a former dam site, signaling the beginning of regional salmon recovery.
2. Upstream Migration Confirmed: In October of the following year, a Chinook salmon was visually confirmed ascending a fish ladder at the Keno Dam on the Upper Klamath River, a major milestone in the species’ reintroduction to its historic range.

Unforeseen Consequences: A Conflict Between Conservation and Agriculture

The success of salmon reintroduction has led to a direct conflict with agricultural water management systems, which are essential for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Migrating salmon have been observed entering irrigation canals, such as the Ady Canal, which services 27,000 acres of farmland.

• Fish Entrapment: Salmon that enter irrigation canals and farm field turnouts are unlikely to survive or successfully spawn, undermining the primary conservation goals of the dam removal project.
• Impact on Water Management: The presence of protected fish species in agricultural water infrastructure creates anxiety and operational challenges for irrigation districts responsible for water delivery, a critical component of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) for agricultural use.

Delayed Solutions and the Breakdown of SDG 17 (Partnerships)

A 2016 agreement, the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement, was established as a multi-stakeholder partnership (SDG 17) to mitigate such conflicts. A key provision was the installation of “entrapment reduction facilities,” or fish screens, to prevent salmon from entering irrigation canals while allowing water to pass through. Despite this nine-year-old agreement, no fish screens have been installed. This delay represents a failure to implement agreed-upon measures designed to balance the needs of ecosystem restoration (SDG 14, SDG 15) with agricultural production (SDG 2).

Current Status and Path Forward

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) acknowledges the issue, stating that the exploratory behavior of the salmon is necessary for successful repopulation. The agency cites high demand and the need for site-specific customization as reasons for the delay in installing fish screens. A $4.5 million fish screen project is currently being planned for the Ady Canal, contingent on funding approval. Stakeholders, including local water managers, express frustration over the delays, emphasizing that fulfilling the promises made under partnership agreements is critical to ensuring that the restoration efforts achieve their full potential and that the life cycle of the returning salmon is protected as intended.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Klamath River Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Klamath River dam removal touches upon several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on environmental restoration and its conflict with human activities, which directly relates to goals concerning water, energy, and life on land and below water.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This goal is relevant because the article discusses the management of a major river system. The core issue involves balancing the ecological health of the river (restoring salmon habitat) with human water use (irrigation for 27,000 acres of farmland). The diversion of river water into canals is a central theme.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The dams that were removed were originally built for hydropower. The article notes that PacificCorp’s dams “only provided about 2% of its electricity,” connecting the project to decisions about energy infrastructure and the transition away from older forms of renewable energy that have significant environmental impacts.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is one of the most prominent SDGs in the article. The entire dam removal project was initiated to restore the habitat for Chinook salmon, an anadromous fish species. The article’s focus on “opening up hundreds of miles of prime salmon spawning habitat” and tracking the return of salmon directly aligns with the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  While often associated with terrestrial ecosystems, SDG 15 also includes the protection of inland freshwater ecosystems. The Klamath River restoration is a direct effort to “protect and restore” a water-related ecosystem and halt biodiversity loss by enabling the recovery of a native species, the Chinook salmon.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article highlights the needs of the agricultural sector, which relies on the river’s water for irrigation. The Klamath Drainage District provides water for “27,000 acres of farmland.” The conflict between protecting salmon and maintaining agricultural water systems connects the issue to the goal of ensuring sustainable food production.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly mentions the “Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement,” a multi-stakeholder partnership signed nine years ago involving “the federal government and the states of Oregon and California” as well as local stakeholders. This highlights the collaborative effort required to address complex environmental and economic issues.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management

   The conflict between the Klamath Drainage District’s need for irrigation water and the goal of salmon restoration is a classic example of an integrated water resources management challenge. The article describes the need to manage the river for both agriculture and ecosystem health, which is the core of this target.

2. Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems

   The dam removal project is a direct and large-scale action aimed at restoring the Klamath River ecosystem. The article states the project’s purpose was to open up “hundreds of miles of prime salmon spawning habitat that had been cut off for more than a century,” which directly aligns with this target.

3. Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems

   Although the Klamath is a river, it supports anadromous salmon that are part of the larger marine ecosystem. Restoring their freshwater spawning grounds is essential for their life cycle and contributes to the health of the broader aquatic environment. The dam removal is a significant “action for their restoration.”

4. Target 15.5: Take urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity and protect threatened species

   The project’s goal is to facilitate the recovery of Chinook salmon, a species whose access to historic habitat was blocked for over a century. The article’s celebration of a salmon being seen ascending a fish ladder “for the first visual confirmation” is evidence of progress toward protecting this species.

5. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices

   The problem of salmon getting trapped in irrigation canals highlights a lack of sustainability in the current agricultural infrastructure. The proposed solution, installing “fish screens,” is an example of implementing a practice that would help maintain the ecosystem while allowing food production to continue.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   The “Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement” is a direct example of such a partnership. It was designed to manage the reintroduction of salmon and “limit burdens on irrigators,” demonstrating a collaborative approach to achieving shared goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator: Number of returning salmon observed in restored habitats.

  The article provides direct evidence for this indicator, stating that “a Chinook salmon was captured on video ascending a fish ladder at the still-standing Keno Dam,” which served as “the first visual confirmation of salmon making it that far upriver.” This is a primary indicator of ecosystem restoration success.

• Indicator: Area of habitat reopened for species.

  The article mentions that the dam removal opened up “hundreds of miles of prime salmon spawning habitat,” which is a quantifiable measure of progress in habitat restoration (Targets 6.6 and 15.5).

• Indicator: Number of fish screens installed in irrigation canals.

  This is a key indicator for measuring the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict. The article provides a clear baseline, stating that “zero fish screens have been installed in the area to date.” Future progress can be measured against this number.

• Indicator: Number of fish entering or trapped in irrigation canals.

  The article implies this is being monitored, with the district manager stating, “we actually have fish in our canal right now.” This serves as a negative indicator, measuring the severity of the problem that needs to be solved to make agriculture more sustainable (Target 2.4).

• Indicator: Funding allocated and approved for mitigation projects.

  Progress towards installing fish screens is tied to funding. The article mentions a specific project: “a $4.5 million fish screen project in the Ady Canal, with the first screen planned for next year — if funding is approved.” The approval and disbursement of these funds is a measurable indicator.

• Indicator: Implementation of multi-stakeholder agreements.

  The article notes that the “Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement” was signed in 2016 but its provisions for fish screens have not been implemented. The delay itself is an indicator of challenges in partnership effectiveness (Target 17.17), while the eventual installation of screens would indicate successful implementation.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: kgw.com