The Klamath’s dams have been removed, at least some of them. Articles have popped up describing the spectacle of fish being seen many miles above the dam sites, stating that the fishery has started to recover. I think these articles express bits of naivety and wishful thinking. The fact that anadromous fish (fish born in fresh water, mature in the ocean, then return to fresh water to spawn) are moving above the demolished dam sites shouldn’t really…
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One Comment
Mr. Grifantini makes several excellent points regarding the benifits of hydroelectric power and the many variables affecting the populations of andramous fishes in our region. One such variable is sea lion predation (particularly near the mouths of rivers) by animals whose populations have substantialy increased since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972). This is a reality in Oregon and Washington as well. As with the spotted owl versus barred owl, we are picking winners and losers by forcing Nature (and people) to bend to our concept of a “balanced ecosystem”.
I have been enjoying Mr. Grifantini’s articles, and look forward to more of his thoughful insights.