Let the dams come down

The Klamath Basin in Northern California and southern Oregon will be getting a makeover, and a historic one at that. Two agreements are expected to be signed during a ceremony today (Feb. 18) in Salem, Ore.

Under the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, the dams are scheduled to be removed by 2020. The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement addresses restoration of habitat and water quality. Together, they are likely to end decades of disputes over water rights and health of the river through removal of four dams on the Klamath River.

“This will be the largest dam removal and river restoration effort ever undertaken, even around the world,” Steve Rothert, California director for American Rivers, said in a release.