The Klamath River’s headwaters are in Oregon, and it flows from a combination of underground springs, rivers, marshes, and lakes. As a Wild and Scenic River, the Lower Klamath is renowned for its fish and wildlife. Black bears, otters, deer, steelhead, and Chinook and coho salmon can all be seen along the river. There’s even a chance you could see Bigfoot — the Lower Klamath also follows the “Bigfoot Scenic Byway,” which boasts the most sightings of Bigfoot in the country.
The Klamath River Basin is also a crucial stop along the Pacific Flyway, which extends from Patagonia to Alaska and is one of four major migratory bird routes in North America. Over a billion birds use the Pacific Flyway each year, including the largest population of eagles in the Lower 48 states, which winter in the wildlife refuges near the California border. The Lower Klamath River is a birdwatcher’s paradise!
The name “Klamath” itself was derived from the Chinook word “tlamatl”, which means swiftness. The Klamath River was once the third largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast, and Native Americans, including the Klamath, the Modoc, and the Yahooskin-Paiute people, have relied on the river’s fisheries for over 7,000 years. In the 1820s, European fur trappers entered the Klamath River Basin for the first time, followed shortly after by prospectors drawn there by the California Gold Rush. Conflicts and diseases brought by Europeans decimated the Native American population by 90 percent, but some Native American tribes still retain their indigenous homelands along the river.
Conservation efforts are underway to remove four dams constructed in the early and mid-twentieth century along the Upper Klamath River. This is one of the largest dam removal projects in the world, and it will hopefully restore the river’s ecosystem and increase fish habitat throughout the river.
We hold deep respect for the ancestral Indigenous lands that we operate on.
The Klamath River Basin has been home to Indigenous communities for thousands of years, including the Yurok, Karuk, Hoopa, Shasta, and Klamath tribes, who have cultivated a deep connection with the river and maintain the health of the river today. The name “Klamath” was derived from the Indian word “Tlamatl”, which means “swiftness” in the Chinook language.
Acknowledging the Indigenous communities whose lands we visit is a crucial step in understanding our shared history and the ongoing challenges faced by these populations today. For more insight, visit our Territory Acknowledgement page. We encourage you to learn about the people whose land we’re privileged to explore by following the links above. Our Territory Acknowledgement is an evolving project. If you find missing information or acknowledgments, please share it with us. Together, we can ensure accuracy, inclusivity, and respect. Thank you.
