Blog: First Klamath River dam to be removed by end of summer
We are thrilled to share that (de-)construction for removal of the Klamath River dams is well underway. Copco 2, the first of four lower dams slated to be removed, will be removed by the end of September, according to Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. How will Copco 2 be removed? In a recent interview with KDRV, Bransom explained that contractors will drill small holes into the large concrete structure of the dam, pack those holes with explosives, and then detonate them. This will enable crews to break up larger pieces of concrete into smaller pieces that are more easily managed by their equipment. When will the other dams be removed? By the end of 2024, the remaining three dams — Copco 1, Iron Gate Dam, and J.C. Boyle Dam — will be removed.
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