Klamath
02. Moonshine Falls Access to Spring Island(Big Bend Run)
Alerts
Log in to add an alertDo 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 Stateline, Access 6, Access 1 or (last resort) 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.
Our friends at Trout Unlimited will be installing a cattle guard and replacing the gate at Pioneer Park West requiring a closure of the access April 23-24. Hand carry craft can access the river within the Highway 66 right-of-way just upstream of Pioneer Park West.
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.
Articles
Apr 13, 2026
Defending Oregon’s Rivers and Advancing New Protections on the Klamath
In response to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) beginning a sweeping revision of its management plans in western Oregon, American Whitewater is urging the agency to evaluate newly free-flowing […]
Feb 18, 2026
Sudden Flow Increase Expected on Klamath River (Feb. 20, 2026)
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) will conduct a sediment flushing release from Keno Dam near Klamath Falls, Oregon beginning February 20 around 6 to 8 AM. Flows are expected […]
Nov 20, 2025
Success: Klamath River Access Sites Staying Open (OR/CA)
Two weeks ago, the states of Oregon and California unexpectedly announced the seasonal closure of three of the new Upper Klamath River access sites. Pioneer Park West, Moonshine Falls, and […]
Nov 13, 2025
Access Closures on Upper Klamath River (OR/CA)
Update: California has agreed to keep their sites open through the winter unless severe weather conditions justify a short-term closure. You can still call and thank the state for reconsidering […]
Aug 1, 2025
All Klamath River Accesses Now Open Along Undammed Reaches (OR/CA)
As of August 1, 2025, all five river access facilities that American Whitewater helped champion during the Klamath dam removal process are officially open! With four dams removed, five new […]
Sep 12, 2024
Iron Gate Cofferdam Breached, Klamath River Freed
On August 28th, Tribal members gathered alongside government officials and nonprofit partners to cheer as the final cofferdam was breached at Iron Gate reservoir, freeing the Klamath River from Lake […]
Jan 24, 2024
Klamath Dam Removal Update: Drawdown Has Begun (OR/CA)
The the next big step towards removing the remaining three hydropower dams on the Klamath River has begun. In early January 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorized the Klamath […]
Nov 18, 2022
Federal Regulators Approve Removal of Four Klamath River Dams!
Nov. 17, 2022 Today, federal regulators unanimously approved the removal of four outdated hydropower dams on the Klamath River (OR/CA), an action that will set free one of the most […]
Aug 27, 2022
Klamath River Dam Removal Takes an Important Step Forward (OR/CA)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has just released a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) which recommends the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. This is the […]
Feb 28, 2022
Klamath River Dam Removal Takes Important Step Forward (OR/CA)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the proposed removal of four Klamath River dams, recommending that the dams be removed. FERC […]
Jun 17, 2021
FERC Approves Transfer of Klamath Hydropower License (OR/CA)
Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the license transfer for the Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project and issued the following statement: FERC Approves License Transfer for Lower Klamath […]
Dec 10, 2020
States, Tribes, and Dam Owner Announce Agreement for Klamath River Dam Removal
Governor Newsom, Oregon Governor Brown, Tribal Leaders and Klamath Dam Owner Announce Agreement to Advance Historic Salmon Restoration Plan Last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom joined with Oregon Governor […]
Dec 17, 2007
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Sep 7, 2000
Top 40 Issue 12: Cheoah River, North Carolina
ISSUE: Hydropower RelicensingGOAL: Restore Cheoah River and whitewater opportunities Current Issue: Tapoco, Inc., a subsidiary of Reynolds Aluminum, is currently relicensing a series of hydropower dams on the Little Tennessee […]