The 'New Klamath River,' after dam removal, showcases salmon, new rapids and stunning scenery

Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with a Klamath River outfitter about how the largest dam removal project in United State history has transformed the river by returning salmon and opening new stretches of river hidden for over a century. Will Volpert, owner of southern Oregon's Indigo Creek Outfitters, has been rafting every stretch of what he's dubbed the "New Klamath" after dam removal to document, map and prepare for commercial trips and summer recreation on a stream that looks a lot different after four dams and reservoirs were removed near the Oregon and California state line. Volpert talks about being surprised by a salmon in a class IV rapid, exploring the river as it carves through an old dam sites and reservoirs, and running major rapids only recently discovered.