Rosenberg Institute Seminar Series - Gwen Santos

Restoration elements of the Klamath River Renewal Project (i.e. Lower Klamath Project) 

Gwen Santos, Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), gsantos@res.us (Presenter)

Co-authors: Daniel Chase, RES, dchase@res.us; Dave Coffman, RES, dcoffman@res.us 

Abstract: 

Removal of four hydropower dams on the Klamath River in northern California and southern Oregon represents the largest dam removal and river restoration project in the country. The project will restore free-flowing conditions and volitional fish passage to more than 400 miles of currently cut-off anadromous fish habitat upstream of the lower-most dam. RES was selected by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation to lead restoration for this ambitious effort, as well as accept liability ensuring restoration meets ecological and biological performance standards. RES is leading design and implementation efforts for the restoration of nearly four miles of priority tributary streams and associated fish habitat, as well as revegetation of approximately 2,000 acres of previously inundated lands. This presentation provides an update on the active project, an overview of restoration goals and approach, and key elements of stream, riparian, and wetland restoration for the project. 

Bio:

Gwen Santos is a Senior Wetland Ecologist and the Director of Ecology & Regulatory Discipline for RES’ Western Region. Gwen serves as the RES’ lead ecologist for the Klamath River Renewal Project, which is the largest dam removal and river restoration in the United States.  She has been involved with permitting, design, and planning, she leads the revegetation program for restoration of over 2,000 acres of former reservoir footprint and leads implementation of terrestrial resource protection measures of this project.  Her broader professional experience focuses on mitigation, restoration and conservation work of degraded ecological communities of the western US.