The Largest Dam Removal in U.S. History: Indigenous Leadership, the Klamath River & Lessons in Repair

About this episode

Amy Bowers Cordalis discusses the largest dam removal in U.S. history and its implications for Indigenous rights and ecological restoration.

The battle to restore the Klamath River lasted generations. When the dams finally came down, salmon returned within three days - far faster than scientists expected, marking a turning point for Indigenous rights, ecological restoration and cultural survival. Meet Amy Bowers Cordalis - attorney, activist and member of the Yurok Tribe - who helped lead one of the most significant river restoration efforts in modern history. Amy shares the story behind America’s largest dam removal project: from growing up alongside the Klamath River and witnessing the devastating 2002 salmon die-off, to becoming the first General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe and helping navigate a long fight against political, legal and corporate interests that many believed was impossible to win. This isn’t just a conversation about dams or conservation. It’s about what comes after victory - and what repair truly means for ecosystems, communities, culture and our collective future. In this episode: How Amy blew up a dam on her birthday Why salmon returned to the Klamath River in just three days The cultural and spiritual connection between the Yurok people, the river and salmon What the 2002 mass death of 70,000…

People in this episode

Guest: Amy Bowers Cordalis

Topics covered

• dam removal
• Indigenous rights
• ecological restoration
• cultural survival
• environmental advocacy

Keywords

• Klamath River
• dam removal
• Indigenous rights
• salmon
• environmental advocacy
• Yurok Tribe
• ecological restoration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yurok Tribe

Places: Klamath River

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