For the first time in over a century, young Indigenous people from across the Klamath basin paddled 310 miles of the mighty river to its Pacific Ocean endpoint, marking a new beginning for the once-imperiled waterway. The group’s journey was part of the “Paddle Tribal Waters” program, which aims to foster environmental stewardship among Indigenous students worldwide.
The removal of four hydroelectric dams in 2022 has allowed the Klamath River to begin its natural healing process. Since then, threatened species such as coho salmon and Chinook salmon have begun to return to their habitats. Native seeds are blooming again, and bird and animal populations have started to flourish.
Ren Brownell, former spokesperson for the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, hailed the young paddlers as a “game-changer” in environmental conservation efforts. The program’s success has inspired Indigenous-led movements working to protect or restore rivers worldwide.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/25/klamath-river-restoration-teenagers