A new study of the largest dam removal project in US history on the Klamath River has found that agricultural producers and conservation groups share more priorities than their long-running conflict suggests. The research, published in Society & Natural Resources, identifies four areas of mutual concern that could guide future river restoration decisions.
Conducted by Oregon State University, the study drew on 55 in-depth interviews with farmers, ranchers, scientists, and policy experts active in the Klamath Basin. Researchers analyzed responses through a cultural models framework to identify where values and priorities diverge and align across the two groups.
Four areas of shared concern emerged: uncertainty around climate change, drought, and wildfire; the need for better collaboration and trust; support for ecosystem-scale rather than single-species management; and a willingness to explore non-traditional options such as ecotourism. Both groups also expressed regret over the collapse of previous collaborative governance agreements in the basin.
The findings carry broad relevance beyond the Klamath River. With the American Rivers Dam Removal Database recording 2,095 dam removals as of 2024, the majority occurring in the past two decades, understanding where competing stakeholder groups align is increasingly critical to managing future restoration efforts effectively.
