I think the extent of "recovery" in both the Klamath and Elwha systems will disappoint, but for different reasons. Elwha Chinook and coho will never recover to historical levels for at least three reasons. The Pacific Ocean no longer supports the smolt to adult survival rates that it apparently did in the past. Too many salmon will be intercepted in Canada and Alaska. And those that do return to WA waters will be harvested down to the MSY/MSH escapement level, leaving total production significantly lower than estimates place it.

Klamath recovery will disappoint because the river basin is less productive than it was historically, and that includes the upper basin upstream of the four dams. While the dams may go away, the irrigation diversions will not. Less water in the stream channel during the summer means higher water temperatures (like the big salmon kill in 2000) and reduced juvenile rearing productivity and capacity, and diversity with respect to spring Chinook. Total production could increase above current levels, if the river is managed for increased production, meaning if the Chinook escapement goal is increased.