Ani and Keeya are members of the Yurok Tribe. Their ancestors and other Native groups have lived near the Klamath River for as long as anyone can remember. They built bustling villages along its winding path. They fished in the river, which was filled with salmon. And they developed a deep appreciation for the waterway. Even today, many Native people consider it a part of their family.

“The Klamath River is our ancestor,” Keeya explains. “A lot of our culture is rooted in the health and well-being of the river.”

Starting in the early 1900s, six dams were built along the Klamath. The dams helped produce electricity for about 70,000 homes. But they had a devastating effect on the river. 

For one thing, the dams blocked salmon from reaching many of the freshwater streams where they lay eggs. The dams also warmed the water, allowing diseases to spread among the fish. Over time, the number of salmon in the Klamath fell by more than 90 percent.

Ani and Keeya are members of the Yurok Tribe. Their ancestors have lived near the Klamath River for as long as anyone can remember. So have other Native groups. They built villages along its path. They fished in the river, which was filled with salmon. And they formed a deep respect for the waterway. Even today, many Native people consider it a part of their family.

“The Klamath River is our ancestor,” Keeya says. “A lot of our culture is rooted in the health and well-being of the river.”

Starting in the early 1900s, six dams were built along the Klamath. The dams helped create electricity for about 70,000 homes. But they had a deadly effect on the river.

The dams blocked salmon from reaching freshwater streams where they lay eggs. The dams also warmed the water. This allowed diseases to spread among the fish. Over time, the number of salmon in the Klamath fell by more than 90 percent.

Native people, including the kayakers’ parents and grandparents, had long spoken out about how the dams were harming their food source and way of life. They spent decades holding protests and speaking with lawmakers. In 2022, the U.S. government approved a plan to remove the four largest dams. 

That’s when a group called Ríos to Rivers began organizing the trip down the river. At the time, Keeya had never even been in a kayak. 

“I actually didn’t want to do it at first because kayaking is so terrifying,” she explains. 

But she was excited to celebrate the removal of the dams and spent the next two years training. 

On June 12, the group set out on the 310-mile journey. Along the way, they spent hours paddling through calm waters. Sometimes, they battled fast-flowing rapids. At night, they gathered around campfires to share stories. Some spoke of their ancestors’ favorite fishing spots on the river. Keeya says the trip was life-changing.

“It’s meant everything to me,” she says.

Ani joined part of the adventure too. She and other relatives spent three days floating down the river on rafts.

Native people, including the kayakers’ parents and grandparents, had long spoken out about the dams. They said the dams were harming their food source and way of life. For decades, they held protests and spoke with lawmakers. In 2022, the U.S. government approved a plan to  remove the four largest dams. 

That’s when a group called Ríos to Rivers began planning the trip down the river. At the time, Keeya had never been in a kayak. 

“I actually didn’t want to do it at first because kayaking is so terrifying,” she says. 

But she was excited to celebrate the removal of the dams. She spent the next two years training. 

On June 12, the group began the 310-mile journey. Along the way, they spent hours paddling through calm waters. Sometimes, they battled fast-flowing rapids. At night, they gathered around campfires. Some spoke of their ancestors’ favorite fishing spots on the river. Keeya says the trip was life-changing.

“It’s meant everything to me,” she says.

Ani joined part of the adventure too. She and other relatives spent three days rafting down the river. 

Since the dams’ removal, the Klamath has started to bounce back. Last fall, scientists spotted a Chinook salmon in an upper section of the river. It was the first salmon seen there since 1912. 

Ani and Keeya will continue to fight to protect the river. For now, the sisters are happy that the dams are gone and the Klamath can run free.

“Our ancestors would be proud,” says Ani.

Since the dams were removed, the Klamath has started to bounce back. Last fall, scientists spotted a Chinook salmon in an upper section of the river. It was the first salmon seen there since 1912. 

Ani and Keeya will keep fighting to protect the river. For now, they’re happy that the dams are gone. The Klamath can run free.

“Our ancestors would be proud,” says Ani.

1. Based on the article, why wouldn’t this journey have been possible a few years ago?

2. What does Keeya Wiki mean when she says that “the Klamath River is our ancestor”?

3. What effects did dams in the Klamath River have on salmon?

1. Based on the article, why wouldn’t this journey have been possible a few years ago?

2. What does Keeya Wiki mean when she says that “the Klamath River is our ancestor”?

3. What effects did dams in the Klamath River have on salmon?