Science Friday The Story Behind The Largest Dam Removal In U.S. History
Oct 9, 2025
Amy Bowers Cordalis, an attorney and member of the Yurok Nation, joins Barry McCovey Jr., director of the Yurok Tribes Fisheries Department. They discuss the 2002 salmon die-off that inspired action to remove the Klamath River dams. This monumental effort restored a vital salmon habitat and revitalized the river's ecosystem. Listeners will hear about the dam's impact on native salmon populations and the economic advantages of removal. The renewed vibrancy of the river and ongoing monitoring highlight nature's incredible capacity to heal.
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Fish Kill That Changed A Life
- Amy witnessed the 2002 Klamath fish kill and counted tens of thousands of dead salmon along the riverbanks.
- That event pushed Amy Bowers Cordalis to go to law school and dedicate her career to protecting the river.
A Technician Turned Advocate
- Barry was a fisheries technician who surveyed and counted dead fish after the 2002 kill.
- That experience redirected Barry McCovey Jr.'s career toward tribal fisheries work.
How Dams Harm Salmon And Rivers
- Dams block salmon migration and remove access to historic spawning habitat for generations.
- Reservoirs also change water quality, raising temperature and lowering oxygen, which harms fish and creates toxic algae.
