The Eel River is entering a new chapter. California native tribes have spearheaded an agreement to remove two dams that have blocked the waterway for over a century. The project aims to restore natural flow to one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States, spanning five counties from the Mendocino National Forest to the Pacific Ocean.
This decision marks the end of a five-year dispute. Utility company PG&E discovered that essential power generation infrastructure at the Potter Valley project required repairs costing roughly $15 million. With the facility generating electricity for only 750 homes, the company sought to close the dams rather than invest in the costly upgrades. Federal regulators and local stakeholders reached a consensus known as the Two Basin Solution to manage the decommissioning process.
The Wiyot Tribe and other regional groups view this as a victory for cultural preservation and local ecosystems. The dams previously prevented native fish species like salmon, steelhead, and trout from reaching their historical spawning grounds. The newly formed Eel Russian Project Authority will oversee the removal process, which is currently slated for the 2030s.
By returning to a free-flowing state, the project will open hundreds of miles of upstream habitat. Local tribes and environmental groups expect this to support the recovery of vital fisheries that sustained indigenous communities for centuries. The five-member board overseeing the transition includes representatives from the Round Valley Indian Tribes, Sonoma Water, and other local government agencies.