Klamath River, Northern California - Gold Prospecting in CA, and Dam Removal
72Where is the Klamath River?
The Klamath River is the northernmost river in California. It flows 260 miles from Klamath Falls in South-East Oregon, across the top of California from Dorris to Hornbrook, from Horse Creek to Happy Camp, and on to the Pacific Ocean. It empties into the sea north of Eureka, California.
The Klamath is a swiftly flowing, deep river that carved a path through the rocky, inhospitable Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains. These mountains are on the southern edge of the Cascade Range.
The Klamath River in Northern California
Memoirs by Native Americans living near the Klamath River
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Klamath River history
Original inhabitants of the Klamath River area were the Klamaths, Shastas, Karuks, and Yuroks. Karuks were "Upriver People" and Yuroks were "Downriver People". The Karuk word for the Klamath River is Ishkeesh; the Klamaths called it Koke.
Gold prospectors arrived in the Klamath River Valley in the 1850s, traveling up the river from the coast until they reached the Happy Camp area.
Highway 96 is the Klamath River Highway
Recreation on the Klamath River
The Klamath River is popular for river rafting, kayaking, fishing, and recreational gold mining.
Rafting on the Klamath River: passing through Wingate
Klamath River community links
- Discover the Beauty of Klamath, California. - Klamath Chamber of Commerce
Klamath, California, where the redwoods and the Klamath River meet the ocean. - Happy Camp, California
Happy Camp, California is a small unincorporated town in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of Northern California 70 miles west of Yreka and 120 miles east of Eureka and the California coastline. - Happy Camp News - Online News for the Klamath River Valley
Happy Camp News is an online news source for Happy Camp, California, a small town of 1200 people in the center of the Klamath National Forest in Northern California.
Klamath River controversies
In recent years the communities along the Klamath River have been deeply divided over two major issues:
1) Dam removals east of Interstate 5
2) Gold dredging banned as of 2009
These issues have caused harsh feelings pitting environmentalists and Karuks (Native Americans) against farmers and gold prospectors.
Klamath River's Iron Gate Dam, completed in 1962, is now one of four dams expected to be torn down after 2020.
Klamath River - Issue #1: Removal of four hydroelectric dams
Klamath River dam removal
- Commercial Fishing - Political News - Four Klamath River Dams Scheduled for Demolition
Four Klamath River dams scheduled for demolition. - National Geographic Magazine: Reuniting a River
After fighting for years over its water, farmers, Indians, and fishermen are joining forces to let the troubled Klamath River run wild again.
Klamath River Books
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Editorial note about these Klamath River videos...
When looking for videos about the dam removal issue, I couldn't find anything against dam removal! Therefore you're seeing only the pro-dam removal video.
Conversely, when looking for videos about the gold dredging issue, I couldn't find videos in favor of ending dredging, therefore you will see, below, only a couple videos in favor of dredging.
I'd like to cover both sides of each issue. If you have links to videos explaining the opposition to each of these issues please leave your links in the comment area below.
Klamath River - Issue #2: Gold Dredging is now banned in California due to lawsuits filed by environmentalists concerned about the Klamath River
What gold dredging was like before the ban in 2009
For more information about Klamath River prospecting
- The New 49'ers Gold Prospecting Club
Gold prospecting,gold panning, metal detecting, highbanking - all still done at the Klamath River. Only dredging is now banned. A word of caution - you're unlikely to become rich while gold prospecting at the Klamath. Gold flakes are easy to find.
Fish found in the Klamath River
Klamath River fish include:
Trout
Rainbow trout, Redband trout, Steelhead trout, Coastal cutthroat trout, Bull trout
Colo salmon, Chinook salmon (Spring Chinook and Fall Chinook),
Chum salmon, Pink salmon - both now extinct in the Klamath
Sturgeon
Green sturgeon, White sturgeon
Eels
River lamprey, Pacific lamprey
Smelt
Eulachon (Candle Fish) - extinct in the Klamath
Pelicans on the Upper Klamath River near Iron Gate Dam
Two popular Klamath River memoirs
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Your comments are welcome! How do you feel about the issues of dam removal and the ban on gold dredging?Loading...
Hi Linda,
Your photography is awesome. Thanks for sharing this info about the Klamath River. I used to live in Richmond, CA and would travel north. I miss CA very much. It's a beautiful state, as is NC. Lots of diversity. I have friends in Klamath Falls OR--is this part of the same?
Thanks for your comments, travel_man and Denise!
@Denise: I was raised in Richmond, California... mostly in the El Sobrante area of Richmond, so I know that area well (and I miss it too). Klamath Falls, Oregon is near the start of the Klamath River. I live downriver... about 70 miles west of Highway 5.
Linda, I've been to Eureka ,Arcata , Cresent city and the surrounding area once for a week. So much beauty there, I was extremely impressed. Nice hub and great info , we do not need the little hydro-electric dams. They should all come out. Keep up the great work.
I loved Dear Mad'm. It's a great read.
@ahorseback - yes, the Northern California coast is beautiful! We love to be able to go see it once in a while.
@WannaB Writer - I agree! I read Dear Mad'm and wanted it never to end - I got so caught up in her story of living on a mining claim. It was amusing and well-written.
I liked Land of the Grasshopper Song too. I wouldn't say it was as well written, but it certainly was intriguing and kept my attention!
As this is one of the most important rivers in the world for fish and wildlife, I would like to see all dams removed and the river protected.
We saw part of the Klamath River in Oregon. Your photos are superb! Enjoyed reading this and learning more...
@daybreak - you would be surprised how divided our community is on this issue. A lot of people don't want things to change; they're worried about flooding and higher electric bills. At this point it is still undecided, though the electric company agreed to cooperate.
@Peggy, thanks! So, next time you're in the neighborhood hope you get to see the rest. It is a worthwhile drive.
Congratulations on this new venture. You have really took it to heart.
Thanks so much, Sherry! I'm glad I've found HubPages. It is a great place to write about things I really care about - like the Klamath River Valley...
I have done some gold panning on the Klamath River. A gorgeous place. I most emphatically disagree with those who want to ban gold dredging. Most of the opposition in my experience is poorly informed about the true nature of recreational gold dredging. There have been numerous environmental studies done in the past 20 years, and they do NOT support the claims of some people who say that dredging is wrecking the river and killing fish.
We are not talking about the monstrous floating building type dredges that did such damage in some rivers many years ago. Recreational gold dredging is something altogether different, and on a very small scale. This kind of dredging actually loosen hard packed gravel and offers prime gravel areas for spawning salmon.
The gold dredgers I know are responsible people, and have a great love for the river and the outdoors. Many are also fishermen.
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travel_man1971 Level 7 Commenter 16 months ago
I share your sentiments, Linda, regarding dam removal and ban on gold dredging. Klamath River is nature's gift to the inhabitants near the place. Why did some people continue or plan to exploit it. I hope the US government will act on harsh issues you've brought out immediately. The ecological balance of the place will be affected badly.