Why we blew up a dam — and saved a river | Amy Bowers Cordalis

The restoration of the Klamath River through the largest dam removal project in U.S. history demonstrates the transformative power of indigenous-led advocacy and collaborative problem-solving. Amy Bowers Cordalis, a Yurok tribe attorney, spearheaded the effort to dismantle four dams that had devastated salmon populations and disrupted indigenous life for over a century. By uniting a diverse coalition of tribes, commercial fishermen, and environmental groups, the movement successfully argued that dam removal was more economically viable than installing mandatory fish ladders. This initiative highlights that environmental restoration is a strategic priority, yielding rapid ecological recovery as salmon immediately returned to historical spawning grounds. Beyond the river, the project serves as a model for renewing the balance between human activity and nature, proving that indigenous rights and ecological health are essential components of sustainable progress.