Iron Gate Dam (California)
| Company type | Dam |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hydroelectric power |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Defunct | 2024 |
| Headquarters | Hornbrook , United States |
| Parent | PacifiCorp |
Iron Gate Dam was an earthfill hydroelectric dam situated on the Klamath River in northern California, close to Hornbrook, California. Commissioned in 1964, it formed the Iron Gate Reservoir and represented the downstream-most structure within the Klamath River Hydroelectric Project, managed by PacifiCorp. The dam obstructed salmon migration routes, prompting the establishment of the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery downstream to breed and release salmon and steelhead.
For two decades, efforts were made to dismantle the Klamath dams, including Iron Gate Dam (National ID CN 001223), along with the John C. Boyle Dam and others, under the legislative framework of the Klamath Economic Restoration Act. By February 2016, a consensus was reached among Oregon and California officials, dam proprietors, federal regulators, and other stakeholders to remove all four dams by 2020, contingent upon approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In February 2022, FERC issued its final Environmental Impact Statement regarding the dam removals.
The removal of Iron Gate Dam occurred in 2024. On January 11 of that year, its bypass tunnel was opened to empty the reservoir in preparation for deconstruction, which commenced on May 3 and concluded in October. This project stands as one of the most significant dam removal undertakings in United States history.
Iron Gate Reservoir
Iron Gate Reservoir was a man-made lake on the Klamath River within Siskiyou County, California, near the border with Oregon. The reservoir’s waters were impounded by Iron Gate Dam, overseen by PacifiCorp, with an average depth measuring approximately 70 feet (21.4 m).
The reservoir facilitated various recreational pursuits and featured multiple complimentary camping areas along its western shore, including Mirror Cove and Juniper Point (accessible May through October) as well as Camp Creek (open year-round). Each campsite offered access points for boating, kayaking, and swimming activities. Fishing was also popular here, with species such as yellow perch, trout, largemouth bass, catfish, and native rainbow trout inhabiting the waters.
In 2020, state health officials issued advisories regarding toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms detected in the reservoir. These warnings recommended avoiding swimming and fish consumption due to associated health hazards. The algal blooms were attributed to diminished water levels combined with increased temperatures. No subsequent alerts have been reported since then.
In January 2024, as part of efforts to restore the river’s natural ecosystem, the reservoir was drained.