First Descent: Kayaking the Klamath River after the largest dam removal in U.S. history

A group of young Indigenous kayakers set out to become the first to paddle the entire Klamath River, from source to sea, after the biggest dam removal project in history. Ranging in age from 13-20 and from tribes across the Northwest, the youth dedicated years to training for the 300-mile, month-long journey. But for many, it was a journey generations in the making, as their relatives and communities had been fighting to remove the Klamath dams since the first one went up in 1908. Along the way, this next generation of river stewards connected with Indigenous people from around the globe to celebrate the healing of their river and to call for dam removals worldwide. Learn more https://www.opb.org/article/2025/11/1... For more stories like this, visit https://www.opb.org/show/oregonfieldg... --- Oregon Public Broadcasting aims to elevate and amplify the community, connect Oregon and its neighbors, and illuminate a wider world through stories. OPB Every Day. OPB Everywhere. One way to support OPB and the work of public media is to subscribe to our channel for new OPB videos every month: https://www.youtube.com/opb?sub_confi... Member support makes all the videos on the OPB YouTube channel possible, and everything else you love. Ensure the next important story is covered and join in as a Sustainer now at https://give.opb.org/opb/?s=OAMEGNS22... #oregonfieldguide #RiosToRivers #PaddleTribalWaters #klamathriverdamremoval #KlamathRiver #SourceToSea #PaddleTribalWaters #Indigenous #WhitewaterKayaking #RiverAdventure #IndigenousYouth #DamRemoval #RiverRestoration #OutdoorCulture #OPB #Oregon #PacificNorthWest #kayaking #whitewater #rafting