Freed flows carry returning salmon past former dams, and the sight sparks joy and caution. Spawning grounds open again, yet canals that feed fields now draw attention. Fish in irrigation works can strand, and growers face risk if that happens. Because restoration must endure, agencies, districts, and landowners push for practical screens, clear roles, and quick steps that protect fish while farms keep running. People welcome the change, while they also accept that careful, visible work must follow.
A river reopens and salmon surge upstream
Dam removal restored passage along the Klamath, so Chinook now swim past old sites toward historic gravel. Crews lowered structures and reshaped channels, which lets water, sediment, and wood move more naturally. Tribes, anglers, and nearby towns welcome the change, since access to upstream habitat is a prerequisite for recovery.
Observers already reported Chinook above the former barriers, and early movement looks strong. Teams watch water quality and disease risks while construction scars settle. Results will take seasons, yet first runs can tell managers whether conditions support adults and eggs. Managers will adjust if monitoring flags trouble.
District staff also saw fish in canals that deliver water to farms. That is exciting, although it reveals a gap: many diversions still lack modern screens. People in the basin want predictable tools that keep salmon in the river and irrigation deliveries reliable for growers.
Why irrigation canals complicate recovery
Canals pull water off the river, so fish that enter them can strand when flows drop. Stranding harms survival and creates legal fear for landowners. During planting and harvest, crews cannot handle emergency rescues at every turnout without plans and equipment.
The 2016 Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement sought to limit new burdens on irrigators tied to reintroduced species. It also backed “entrainment reduction facilities,” meaning fish screens and related works. Those promises set expectations for field projects that match the new migration reality. Delivery goals must align with that pledge.
He saw Chinook in delivery canals and noted long-planned screens are not yet installed. He wants solutions that protect fish and growers, and he asked why action lagged for nine years as salmon returned. He also wants assurance that farmers will not be blamed for stranded fish.
Designing screens that keep salmon in the river
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says screening takes time because each site is unique. Flows and sediment differ, so off-the-shelf designs fail in Klamath conditions. Tailored spacing, approach velocities, and cleaning systems prevent clogging and reduce injury to juveniles and adults.
Demand from landowners outpaces supply, which stretches fabrication schedules and staffing. The agency recently received $1.25 million in Oregon Lottery Bond funds to expand work. That helps capacity, although dozens of diversions still await surveys, design, and permits before steel arrives.
Field lessons guide choices: brushing for fine debris, traveling screens where leaves and sticks dominate, gentle bypass drops. Return outlets must be safe, and maintenance needs to fit local crews. Those details cut entrainment risk and keep salmon in the mainstem rather than in irrigation works. When parts match conditions, both performance and trust improve.
Funding, timelines, and the Ady Canal project
The Klamath Drainage District is working with federal and state partners on a $4.5 million multi-screen package for the Ady Canal. That effort targets priority sites so the busiest diversions get protection first. Phased delivery matches budgets and fabricator capacity while crews keep canals operating.
The first screen is planned for 2026, pending funding approval. A firm date reduces rescue emergencies that happen when fish enter canals during high water. Clear milestones also build trust with growers who need predictable water throughout the season.
The Ady Canal Reconnection Project adds controlled passage from the canal to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Linking habitat to the river can create new spawning and rearing areas for salmon under managed flows. Screens remain essential so fish travel only where intended, not into fields. Careful hydraulics and sediment management keep those routes safe.
Shared goals, clear roles, and practical next steps
People agree on the basics: protect fish, keep farms workable, and assign responsibility up front. Districts want funding clarity, and agencies need space to tailor designs. Because every site differs, playbooks should define priorities, rescue protocols, and maintenance that local crews can deliver.
ODFW and partners lead long-term screening across the basin, and decades of work inform current plans. Still, much remains to be done, so the queue must reflect risk at each diversion. Transparent triage puts scarce dollars where they reduce entrainment most.
Growers ask for predictability during planting and harvest, and neighbors ask for living water. Both goals can stand together when projects meet field realities. As more units come online, the river benefits and salmon stay on their route to upstream gravels.
What success looks like for river life and farms together
Progress will show in simple ways: screens installed on time, fewer rescues, and steady deliveries. Trust grows when hardware matches conditions and schedules hold, because results become visible. People can then celebrate living water without fear of blame or surprise. With that balance in place, the Klamath supports productive fields and the enduring return of salmon. Calendars should lock targets that people can check on site. When that happens, credit and accountability stay clear.
