How to comment on the Klamath Dam Removal Plan

The Federal Energy Regulatory Committee has issued its draft environmental impact statement which is big hurdle moving klamath river dam removal project one step closer to fruition. There is currently a comment period open until April 18th.

As a fellow river lover, and perhaps a client of our who has fished the Klamath River system and knows the benefits dam removal with bring, please take a minute to comment in support of dam removal and urge FERC to allow KRRC to move forward ASAP with the proposed action with staff recommendations.

Here’s how to submit your comment ⬇️

  1. Write your comment, less the 600 words in a word processor.

  2. Click on FERC’s eComment system. Fill in the simple online form with your contact information.

  3. Check your inbox for an email from FERC. Click the link in that email to go back to FERC. Now you can add the project number you are commenting on.

    The Klamath Dam removal project has two numbers: P-14803-001 and P-2082-063.

    Enter these one at a time into the appropriate “search” field. Tell it to search. When it presents the project number, click it to add to your comment. Then in the comment field copy and paste your comment.

  4. Hit “Submit,” and you are done!

Here is an example and comment I submitted…

To Whom it may concern,

The Klamath River needs dam removal as urgently and as expeditiously as possible. It is clear the dams create poor water quality, harmful algae blooms, lead to outbreaks of fish disease, block spawning habitat and contribute to declining anadromous fish numbers and economic opportunity for local economies.  The proposed action with staff modifications clearly show the potential for improvements across the board for this ailing river. The Klamath is by all accounts an exceptional river, but its ecologic and economic potential are simply being hamstrung by the effects of the four lower dams and their associated reservoirs.

As a fly fishing guide within, upriver and below the project reaches, I know and have come to know this river intimately, plying its waters and running my business here year round. It is as resilient and productive a river as I have ever encountered, even in it diminished state, but it is primed and ready to be set free again, unyoked to realize it full potential again. I believe, and studies show dam removal will improve the state of the river, it’s fish, people and the local economy across the board.

Also as an affected outfitter of the dam removal project and a member of the recreation stakeholder group providing input on the recreation plan, I appreciate and support the staff conclusions and recommendations in the draft EIS and urge that they be adopted, particularly the modifications to:

  1. The recreation facilities plan to include the development of recreation sites and

  2. Consulting with upper Klamath outfitters to schedule construction activities and access restrictions to minimize adverse affects on boating.

I fully support dam removal and license surrender, with staff recommendations and again urge expediency. With yet another summer drought ahead there is no time to waste for the Klamath, it’s fish and its people.

Brandon Worthington

Worthington Fly Fishing


Three reasons to fly fish the Fall in Southern Oregon

1) Fish like this

Monster Rogue River Steelhead, Fly Fishing during Fly Only

2) Fish like this

Oregon Klamath Redband Trout, Fly fishing

3) And fish like this

Rogue River Steelhead, Spey fishing

Summer Steelhead - Rogue & Klamath River Report

Rogue River Summer Steelhead

3:45 am starts. Taking advantage of the early mornings. Steaming mugs of good coffee, stringing up with our head lamps, and beginning our casts before we can even see our lines...

Fly-Only on the Rogue River - Mark your Calendar!

We're just weeks away from the most anticipated time on the Rogue River. Fly Only regulations begin September 1st! This is when the river begins to quiet, and the most beautiful time on the upper river. We are set for a couple of great months a head of us! With good fishing beginning in June this year, our summer fishery has kept us after it and I am so excited for how it has set up the fall.

Around the bend - Rogue and Klamath Steelhead

September is one of my favorite times to chase steelhead on the Rogue. It's when many of our fish make their big push. The leaves are just turning, the weather and water conditions are very consistent and so is the fishing!

As October rolls around, fish concentrations increase and fishing remains fantastic. October is the traditional month we mark our calendars to get after it, though I find fishing is often better in the shoulder months of September and November! I'll be making my transition this year to the Wild and Scenic Klamath this year October 15th. I have a few late October Rogue days but its a tough sell to get me to come back to the October-Rogue-bobber show when we can wake dries with six weights all day for all wild steel on the Klamath!

If you would like to join a guided trip during Fly-Only on the Rogue or on the Wild and Scenic Klamath river in November, I have some great dates available in both September and November. Drop me a line  HERE

Until then, good fishing and tight lines!