The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives.
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Yeah there’s really no need for so many dams anymore, they were built to power hydroelectric stations that are no longer needed so this is a good thing.
“Why not just let nature take its course? Well, nature didn’t take its course when dams got put in. We can’t pretend this gigantic change in the landscape has not happened and we can’t just ignore the fact that invasive species are a big problem in the west and in California,” said Dave Meurer, director of community affairs for Resource Environmental Solutions, the company leading the restoration project. “Our goal is to give nature a head start.”
Which is another really good point, sadly there’s a lot of invasive plant species that were unknowingly brought over by Europeans mostly for ornamental purposes which have had a devastating effects on native plant life
How is hydro power no longer needed?
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No clue why he would think that. Hydro power is the best source of carbon-free power. It’s also the only reasonable way to do grid-scale storage we have. Unless we see a huge build-out in nuclear, hydro-power will be required for the next century.
I have no clue either as you misread what I wrote. MicroWave is correct, that was my meaning.
What’s not well known is that dams also have a limited life – they silt up. They produce most hydro power when new, which declines as silt fills the dam, raising the bottom/lowering head.
There’s a great book I have somewhere, is it CADILLAC DESERT? about the big 20th century push to “tame nature” and dam every river to make it “produce”. Total folly.
This is a insane take. We absolutely need hydro power right now. It was the leading source of electricity before coal. More dams, please.
The restoration of this former reservoir is going to be an epic task of conservation with very interesting results. I’m sure extensive measurement and tracking will make this not only a useful scientific experiment but hopefully a prototype for future dam removals.
It would be so cool to view it live in action over time
I’ve been up there and spent time on two Rez’s and the Klamath river was so bad. The red algae and low levels were terrible for the salmon runs. The Yurok and Hoopa have relied on it forever and hate the dams.
Hydroelectric power was a dumb idea. Cool idea, but short sighted and reeked of manifest destiny.
