Canyon Entrance

The Klamath bends right at the western end of the alluvial K’íka·c’é·ki Valley that was flooded beneath Copco Reservoir for 106 years and abruptly enters the narrow-walled confines of K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon, also known as Wards Canyon. A striking, light-colored  rock wall rising from the left bank marks the traditional fishing site known to the Shasta people as Ìk·wì·k. It also marks the originally proposed location for the Copco 1 Dam, which was ultimately built about 1/4 mile downstream where the canyon walls contained more solid rock on the north side of the river.