A recent water quality report indicates that heavy metal concentrations in the Klamath River have significantly decreased since dam removal activities began in early 2024. The report, prepared by environmental consulting firm CAMAS LLC on behalf of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), provides the results of water sampling conducted in early May 2024.
In response to elevated heavy metal levels detected by Siskiyou County in late January 2024 shortly after drawdown of the reservoirs behind the Copco No. 1, Iron Gate, and J.C. Boyle dams, the KRRC agreed to conduct follow-up sampling at the same locations. The January samples found concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, iron and lead exceeding drinking water thresholds.
However, the new sampling performed by CAMAS in early May shows a dramatic reduction in heavy metal concentrations compared to the January results. Of the metals analyzed, only aluminum and iron were found to still exceed secondary drinking water standards at some locations. Importantly, concentrations of the dissolved fractions of aluminum and iron, which represent levels expected after standard water treatment processes, were well below regulatory limits.
