Youthful Pioneers: One Year After the Historic Klamath Dam Removal, Teens Spark Global River Restoration Movement
In a groundbreaking move, four hydroelectric dams were removed from the Klamath River last year, marking the largest project of its kind in US history. The initiative was spearheaded by Indigenous youth from across the basin, who embarked on a 30-day, 310-mile journey to paddle the entire length of the river for the first time in over a century.
The young adventurers, aged between 15 and 19, were part of an ambitious program called "Paddle Tribal Waters" launched by Ríos to Rivers, an advocacy organization that fosters environmental stewardship among Indigenous students worldwide. The initiative aimed to empower the next generation of river stewards and promote collective action to protect and restore waterways.
As the group reached the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the sandy dunes, they marked a historic moment – not just for their own community but also for the global movement to restore rivers worldwide. Their journey served as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience in the face of environmental degradation.
The past year has witnessed remarkable progress on the Klamath River. Threatened coho salmon have begun to make it farther upriver than they have in 60 years, while Chinook salmon were spotted in headwaters for the first time in over a century. Native seeds strewn across the riverbanks and their adjoining hillsides have begun to bloom, attracting scores of birds and animals – from bald eagles to beavers to bears.
The removal of the dams has also led to improved water temperatures, providing a natural cooling effect that is essential for fish migration. Water quality has remained stable, with toxic markers staying within safe limits through the seasons. The unprecedented project required an equally unprecedented fish-monitoring effort, relying on a range of tools, including sonar, boat surveys, netting, and tagging.
Ren Brownell, former spokesperson for the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, notes that "These kids will be the first generation who get to grow up alongside a clean Klamath River." The program has inspired Indigenous-led movements worldwide to protect or restore other rivers. The removal of dams has sent a clear message: it is possible to make a difference.
As the youth paddle into their second year without dams, they are not only celebrating their success but also acknowledging that there is still work to be done. Barry McCovey Jr., senior fisheries biologist for the Yurok Tribe, emphasizes that "the river needed those kids – they are part of the solution." The young pioneers will play a crucial role in leading restoration efforts into the future.
For Ruby Williams, a Quartz Valley tribal member and Karuk person, paddling the Klamath River was a protest in itself. She recalled the tears that filled her eyes as she reached the ocean and pulled her boat onto the shore, taking in the sound of beating drums and generations of Native people smiling as they reached the sand on that cool July morning.
Williams, who started college this year majoring in environmental conservation and land management, is eager to lead the charge. Along with lifelong friendships she found on the Klamath's first descent, she has gained a calling to fight for her river and others around the world.
As the movement gains momentum, the message echoes across borders: "All rivers should be free."
In a groundbreaking move, four hydroelectric dams were removed from the Klamath River last year, marking the largest project of its kind in US history. The initiative was spearheaded by Indigenous youth from across the basin, who embarked on a 30-day, 310-mile journey to paddle the entire length of the river for the first time in over a century.
The young adventurers, aged between 15 and 19, were part of an ambitious program called "Paddle Tribal Waters" launched by Ríos to Rivers, an advocacy organization that fosters environmental stewardship among Indigenous students worldwide. The initiative aimed to empower the next generation of river stewards and promote collective action to protect and restore waterways.
As the group reached the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the sandy dunes, they marked a historic moment – not just for their own community but also for the global movement to restore rivers worldwide. Their journey served as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience in the face of environmental degradation.
The past year has witnessed remarkable progress on the Klamath River. Threatened coho salmon have begun to make it farther upriver than they have in 60 years, while Chinook salmon were spotted in headwaters for the first time in over a century. Native seeds strewn across the riverbanks and their adjoining hillsides have begun to bloom, attracting scores of birds and animals – from bald eagles to beavers to bears.
The removal of the dams has also led to improved water temperatures, providing a natural cooling effect that is essential for fish migration. Water quality has remained stable, with toxic markers staying within safe limits through the seasons. The unprecedented project required an equally unprecedented fish-monitoring effort, relying on a range of tools, including sonar, boat surveys, netting, and tagging.
Ren Brownell, former spokesperson for the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, notes that "These kids will be the first generation who get to grow up alongside a clean Klamath River." The program has inspired Indigenous-led movements worldwide to protect or restore other rivers. The removal of dams has sent a clear message: it is possible to make a difference.
As the youth paddle into their second year without dams, they are not only celebrating their success but also acknowledging that there is still work to be done. Barry McCovey Jr., senior fisheries biologist for the Yurok Tribe, emphasizes that "the river needed those kids – they are part of the solution." The young pioneers will play a crucial role in leading restoration efforts into the future.
For Ruby Williams, a Quartz Valley tribal member and Karuk person, paddling the Klamath River was a protest in itself. She recalled the tears that filled her eyes as she reached the ocean and pulled her boat onto the shore, taking in the sound of beating drums and generations of Native people smiling as they reached the sand on that cool July morning.
Williams, who started college this year majoring in environmental conservation and land management, is eager to lead the charge. Along with lifelong friendships she found on the Klamath's first descent, she has gained a calling to fight for her river and others around the world.
As the movement gains momentum, the message echoes across borders: "All rivers should be free."
So I think it's super cool that these young Indigenous pioneers are taking charge of their own environmental destiny. They're not just paddling a river, they're leading a global movement to restore waterways worldwide 
. It's amazing to see how this initiative has inspired a new generation to take action and make a difference.
. And I love how these young paddlers are not just celebrating their success, but also acknowledging that there's still work to be done 
. It's clear that they're committed to leading restoration efforts into the future.
. It's a great reminder that we don't have to accept the status quo, and that collective action can lead to real change.
. Ruby Williams' story, in particular, stood out to me – she's not just talking about environmental conservation, but also about her own personal journey and the cultural significance of the river.
. We should be cheering them on and supporting them every step of the way!
! like, can you even imagine paddling 310 miles without any dams? it's crazy to think that these kids had the courage to do it and now they're sparking a global movement 
. they get to grow up alongside a clean klamath river and it's like, that's the ultimate goal right? a generation that gets to experience the beauty of nature without any human interference 
.
because if we can make a difference in one river, we can make a difference in all rivers 
. Like, don't get me wrong, it's amazing that these youth led a global river restoration movement, but have we even talked about how they used data analytics and IoT sensors to monitor water quality? 
Apparently not, because I'm still trying to find any info on it 
. And what about the drones they probably used for aerial surveillance? Wasn't there some buzz around that? 
Anyway, can we talk about something else besides just the cool factor of a bunch of teens saving rivers?
like, i'm gettin teary just thinkin about it 
they're not just savin their own river but also sparkin a global movement to restore rivers worldwide 
she's gonna do great things and i'm all about that environmental conservation life 
... like what does it mean 4 kids 2 grow up w/ a clean river? 
... and its not jus about da environment, its about identity n culture too 
... like Ruby's tears when she reached the ocean, it wasnt just 4 da river, but 4 her people n her heritage 
. Like, have you seen the amount of funding that went into that dam removal project? It was like a small army of volunteers and experts just kinda... swooped in 
.
! Their initiative "Paddle Tribal Waters" is giving me LIFE and I'm loving how they're empowering Indigenous youth to take action for their rivers 
. It's like this generation of young people gets to grow up alongside a clean Klamath River - can you even handle the positivity? 
. Theyre gonna be huge leaders in the years to come, thats for sure 
. they're like the ultimate environmental superheroes! 
I mean, who doesn't love a good dam-removal story, right? 
