What I Saw at the Klamath River “Restoration” Left Me Speechless

By Lisa Mott
Commentary

August 17, 2025, I took a drive from Klamathon Bridge to the town of Copco to see how the “restoration” projects were going after the 4 dam removals on the Klamath River. This location was the home to 3 of the 4 dams.

After seeing the work being done in Camp Creek and Jenny Creek, which were both part of Iron Gate Lake, and East Beaver Creek, which was part of Copco Lake, it truly was mind blowing.

Camp Creek: Destruction in the Name of Restoration

Camp Creek is a seasonal creek and I question the work being done and why. At the top of Camp Creek, Scotch Creek flows down and the two meet. What they have done to this area is truly mind blowing as I feel the area was destroyed.

The sediment that was moved from the creek bed to just above the creek will just wash back down into Camp Creek, then the Klamath River. All the wood debris will also wash out if we have another winter like this last one.

Jenny Creek: How Many Times Are They Going to Mess With This Creek?

Jenny Creek has once again been moved and manipulated. How many times are they going to mess with this creek??? It truly left me speechless as I was looking at the destruction being made and all the taxpayer and ratepayers monies being wasted in the name of saving salmon.

East Beaver Creek: So Many Unanswered Questions

East Beaver Creek left me asking many questions. Why are there stakes and larger cut off verticle wood pieces in the ground??? Why are there large attached together wood beams??? Why is there paint markings on the ground??? Why does it appear they are also manipulating this creek??

What an On-Site Archaeologist Really Thinks

Fellow observer Renee Tickner recently shared an eye-opening conversation that reveals what those actually working on the project think about it:

“It is unbelievable what they are being allowed to do to these streams. Like you..I also question the work being done…doesn’t make sense and complete overkill. I even stopped and spoke with an archeologist on site at Beaver Creek….asked him what exactly were they doing…also stated I thght it overkill. He totally agreed…said he was only there to make sure the archeology sites weren’t disturbed but he was told they are removing the silt, putting in weirs and beaver dams so tens of thousand salmon will find their way up the creek….shook his head. I laughed…said that little creek isn’t deep enough for salmon to swim….he replied..apparently they think by doing the weirs and dams it will slow and get deeper….again shaking his head.”

That is what flabbergasts me. There are a lot who don’t agree with what is happening, even in agencies, entities and contractors involved with the project, but yet it continues. I know most are just getting paid to-do a job regardless their own opinion. I am glad Renee got to talk with someone. When I happen to run into a small group of people, they aren’t exactly friendly and don’t stop to talk. I am normally friendly and wave as some pass in their vehicle or I pass them in mine.

The Real Question: What Happens Next Winter?

What I saw left me furious, speechless, mind blown and wondering who is holding those accountable for this project. It left me asking so many questions of what I saw. What happens when we have another extremely wet winter with flood conditions like we did last winter? All that sediment and wood debris they are placing will ultimately wash down the Klamath River.

The videos I took show the full scope of what’s being done in these areas. They are kind of long but you can see what is being done. The pictures I took just doesn’t do it justice to what I witnessed firsthand.

Even the professionals working on site are shaking their heads at what they’re being asked to do. When will someone finally hold this project accountable?

---

Lisa Mott is a local resident observing the Klamath River restoration project.