The Klamath River, spanning 263 miles across Oregon and California, has undergone a monumental transformation with the removal of four hydroelectric dams—marking the largest dam removal project in US history. These dams, constructed in the early 20th century, significantly disrupted the river’s ecosystem by impeding salmon migration, accumulating sediment, and fostering toxic algal blooms. As the river’s health deteriorated, tribes and environmental advocates campaigned vigorously for the dams' removal. In 2020, a coalition, including governments and PacifiCorp, agreed to dismantle the dams. Early 2023 saw the dams’ demolition, allowing the river to flow freely once more. Initial ecological challenges arose due to accumulated sediment, but restoration efforts are showing promise with salmon spotted upstream after 60 years, and positive impacts on the broader ecosystem. The land restoration is also nodding towards cultural healing for the Shasta Indian Nation, who have reclaimed their ancestral lands.