Klamath

Do not boat the Klamath River through K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon or the Iron Gate reach May 29–June 7, 2026.

The Shasta Indian Nation’s Salmon Calling Ceremony will take place during this period, and boaters are asked to stay off these reaches entirely—including those traveling from upriver on multi-day trips.

If floating downstream, plan to take out at Access 1 or K’utárawáx·u and re-enter at Iron Gate River Access, requiring a downstream shuttle.

During this time, K’utárawáx·u River Access will be closed as a put-in for K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon, though take-outs are permitted. Note that the access road to K’utárawáx·u will be closed, requiring a ~1/4-mile uphill carry to the county road. K’účasčas (Fall Creek) River Access will be closed to all use. Iron Gate River Access will remain open.

Honoring this closure is important to provide privacy for the ceremony and maintain respectful relationships with the Shasta Indian Nation, to whom this riverside land is being returned.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will conduct a sediment flushing release from Keno Dam beginning February 20, 2026 at approximately 6:00 AM, increasing flows by about 4,000 cfs followed by a gradual ramp-down to around 700 cfs by early March. While this will create high-water boating opportunities, river users should expect potentially dangerous, rapid increases in flow and river level on February 20 and possibly at unpredictable times during the ramp-down. Based on last year’s operations, the 4,000 cfs flow increase and resulting 4-foot river rise may occur within about one hour. Greater rises are expected downstream where the river narrows in canyons. The Keno, Big Bend, Hells Corner, Beswick, K’íka·c’é·ki Valley, K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon, Iron Gate, and Mid-Klamath runs as far as Seiad Valley may be affected. People on the river or along the banks may have little time to react to rapidly rising water. Use extreme caution and monitor conditions closely.

The new put-in for this run officially opened to the public on August 1, 2025. This facility is open for day use only, from dawn to dusk. All river access activities must be conducted entirely within the designated area. Do not enter surrounding areas for any reason, as they contain sensitive cultural resources.