Klamath River Hydroelectric Project
| Company type | Hydroelectric project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Predecessor | California Oregon Power Company |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Fate | Fully dismantled by August 2024 |
| Successor | PacifiCorp (after 1961 merger) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | California, Oregon |
| Products | Hydroelectric power (up to 169 MW) |
| Owner | PacifiCorp (except Link River Dam owned by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation) |
| Parent | PacifiCorp |
The Klamath River Hydroelectric Project consisted of a collection of hydroelectric dams and associated infrastructure located along the Klamath River, crossing the border between California and Oregon.
Developed over the period from 1903 to 1962, the initiative was originally undertaken by the California Oregon Power Company ("Copco"), which merged with Pacific Power and Light in 1961, now known as PacifiCorp. PacifiCorp managed the project commercially, producing up to 169 MW through seven generating stations and held ownership of all dams except one.
By 2016, plans were in place to dismantle four dams by 2020, subject to approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; a fifth dam continued operations at diminished output but was slated for decommissioning. The complete removal of all dams was accomplished by August 2024.
It is important to distinguish this project from the Klamath Project, which comprises dams operated by the USBR on upstream tributaries primarily for irrigation water storage. Notably, the Link River Dam is included in both projects.
Inventory
Except for the Link River Dam, owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, PacifiCorp held ownership of all other dams. With the exception of Fall Creek Dam—situated on a tributary—all structures were positioned along the main river channel. Significant dams within the system included:
- Fall Creek Dam, located upstream of Copco Dam #2, constructed by Siskiyou Electric Power Company and operational as early as 1903.
- Copco Dams #1 (constructed between 1912 and 1916, expanded in 1922) and #2 (built from 1922 to 1925), both hydroelectric facilities; Copco #1 created Copco Lake.
- Link River Dam (completed in 1921), primarily designed for flood mitigation and water retention with secondary hydroelectric generation, impounding Upper Klamath Lake.
- John C. Boyle Dam (commissioned in 1958), a hydroelectric dam forming the John C. Boyle Reservoir.
- Iron Gate Dam (erected in 1964), the tallest and most downstream dam within the system dedicated to hydropower production.
- Keno Dam (constructed in 1967), a non-power-generating dam that replaced the wooden Needle Dam, creating Lake Ewauna.
Dam removal
The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, a collaborative effort signed in 2008 by representatives from California, Oregon, three Native American tribes, four counties, and thirty-five organizations, sought to address longstanding disputes over water rights.
Confronted with expensive relicensing obligations from FERC related to fish passage improvements and reservoir-related toxic algae issues, PacifiCorp reached an agreement in principle in 2009 to remove four dams—John C. Boyle, Iron Gate, Copco #1, and Copco #2—pending Congressional authorization.
Following a lack of Congressional action, Oregon and California together with involved parties negotiated a new pact in 2016 to remove these four dams by 2020, contingent upon FERC’s consent. This initiative received support from both states' governors. While U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell endorsed dam removal in 2016, her successor David Bernhardt withdrew that support in 2019.
Removal of Copco #2 dam took place in 2023; demolition of Iron Gate Dam commenced in May 2024. The final dam was dismantled by August 2024.