In 2023, work began on removing 1 of 4 dams along the Klamath River – the world’s largest dam removal – after decades of activism finally found success. Learn more about the Klamath River dam removals, ecosystem, and people in this Science on Tap.

This show will cover what’s been happening and describe some of the very interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research that is being led by OSU. Researchers have been in the river and on the ground, sampling the river and surveying the people, all with the goal of better understanding the health of the river and its people as they undergo major changes.

This place-based science relies on strong collaborations with the Yurok Tribe and engagement with scientists and a diversity of local stakeholders. The result is knowledge co-production on subjects ranging from reservoir sediment erosion patterns to changes in water quality and algae in the river to perceptions about drivers and management of river health from diverse river users. This presentation will summarize what we’ve learned so far on these topics and provide a visual tour of the dam removals from a variety of perspectives.   

Desiree Tullos, PhD, PE (OR) is a Professor in the Biological and Ecological Engineering Department at OSU. Her research emphasizes the sustainable engineering and management of rivers by examining the intersections of hydraulics, infrastructure, ecology, and society.

Bryan Tilt Ph.D is a professor of anthropology at OSU. He is an environmental anthropologist who specializes in natural resources and energy development in contemporary China and the United States.