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The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life
The Yurok Tribe and an Indigenous family share a moving multigenerational story of their fight to undam the Klamath river—the largest river restoration project in history—and save the planet.
The Water Remembers is the story of Indigenous resistance and an American family’s fight to preserve its legacy.
For more than half a century, between 1905 and 1962, the Federal government constructed one of the largest reclamation projects in the country at the headwaters of the Klamath River, comprised of four dams. They did not include salmon ladders and this denied fish access to hundreds of miles of historical habitat. This one oversight led to increased water temperatures and toxic algae pollution, which killed hundreds of thousands of salmon while negatively impacting the ecosystem. It also destroyed the fishing, hunting, and gathering lifestyle of the Yurok Tribe—the largest in Northern California—preventing them from making a dignified living.
A perfect blend of memoir and history, The Water Remembers speaks passionately to environmental justice and conservation, as well as responsible stewardship. Engrossing, Amy Bowers Cordalis recounts her twenty-year fight against the United States government, chronicling how she evolved from a naïve Westernized 22-year-old to an advocate for her people. As General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe, she ensured the removal of the dams in December 2024.
She also shares her family’s generational fight for Indigenous respect that resulted in federal recognition of their cultural and ceremonial water rights. Her great uncle sued the State of California for the Yurok people to retain fishing rights and jurisdiction to regulate its own fishery. A case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court and involved the federal government putting a moratorium on all Yurok fishing, and the arrival of federal Marshalls to enforce.
The Water Remembers involves genocide, assimilation, and oppression, but victory, in protecting one’s home, environment, and way of life.
The Water Remembers is the story of Indigenous resistance and an American family’s fight to preserve its legacy.
For more than half a century, between 1905 and 1962, the Federal government constructed one of the largest reclamation projects in the country at the headwaters of the Klamath River, comprised of four dams. They did not include salmon ladders and this denied fish access to hundreds of miles of historical habitat. This one oversight led to increased water temperatures and toxic algae pollution, which killed hundreds of thousands of salmon while negatively impacting the ecosystem. It also destroyed the fishing, hunting, and gathering lifestyle of the Yurok Tribe—the largest in Northern California—preventing them from making a dignified living.
A perfect blend of memoir and history, The Water Remembers speaks passionately to environmental justice and conservation, as well as responsible stewardship. Engrossing, Amy Bowers Cordalis recounts her twenty-year fight against the United States government, chronicling how she evolved from a naïve Westernized 22-year-old to an advocate for her people. As General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe, she ensured the removal of the dams in December 2024.
She also shares her family’s generational fight for Indigenous respect that resulted in federal recognition of their cultural and ceremonial water rights. Her great uncle sued the State of California for the Yurok people to retain fishing rights and jurisdiction to regulate its own fishery. A case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court and involved the federal government putting a moratorium on all Yurok fishing, and the arrival of federal Marshalls to enforce.
The Water Remembers involves genocide, assimilation, and oppression, but victory, in protecting one’s home, environment, and way of life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2025
35 people are currently reading
2581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 3, 2026
4.25 stars
This is one of those nonfiction reads that quietly rearranges your understanding of the world—and then dares you to look away. The Water Remembers blends memoir, history, and environmental justice with remarkable clarity, tracing the devastating impact of the Klamath River dams on the Yurok Tribe and the decades-long fight to undo that harm. Cordalis writes with urgency and restraint, letting the facts (and the salmon deaths, and the government negligence) speak for themselves—often louder than outrage ever could.
What really elevates this book is the personal arc: watching Cordalis grow from a Western-educated twenty-something into a fierce legal advocate for her people is both grounding and inspiring. The stakes are enormous—ecological, cultural, existential—but the storytelling remains intimate and human. If there’s a critique, it’s that the legal and policy details occasionally slow the pace, though that also underscores just how hard-won this victory was.
This is one of those nonfiction reads that quietly rearranges your understanding of the world—and then dares you to look away. The Water Remembers blends memoir, history, and environmental justice with remarkable clarity, tracing the devastating impact of the Klamath River dams on the Yurok Tribe and the decades-long fight to undo that harm. Cordalis writes with urgency and restraint, letting the facts (and the salmon deaths, and the government negligence) speak for themselves—often louder than outrage ever could.
What really elevates this book is the personal arc: watching Cordalis grow from a Western-educated twenty-something into a fierce legal advocate for her people is both grounding and inspiring. The stakes are enormous—ecological, cultural, existential—but the storytelling remains intimate and human. If there’s a critique, it’s that the legal and policy details occasionally slow the pace, though that also underscores just how hard-won this victory was.
October 26, 2025
Fascinating read about a Tribe's decade's long fight for fishing rights, told from several generation's points of view.
Especially enthralling was Geneva's story, which gave my chills.
Lots of legal maneuvers and government shenanigans made it a frustrating read, but unfortunately, not uncommon to Tribes throughout history.
Thank you to Goodreads and the author for the gift of a preview copy.
Especially enthralling was Geneva's story, which gave my chills.
Lots of legal maneuvers and government shenanigans made it a frustrating read, but unfortunately, not uncommon to Tribes throughout history.
Thank you to Goodreads and the author for the gift of a preview copy.
October 28, 2025
This is an inspiring story of an inspiring woman, one that is optimistic in tone despite the dark history behind it. It is written with a fairly unique storytelling style, with intentional "authentic Yurok style and tone." I did not know much about the Yurok going in, but "some anthropologists claimed Yurok [tribe] was the most resistant to 'white law' of any tribal society in the world." I learned a lot more about them in this book, told in a compelling style.
The author of this book is Amy Bowers Cordalis, the legal counsel for her tribe and a fighter for indigenous sovereignty nationwide. She is also a fisherwoman, with fishing sitting at the root of the tribe's culture. As a vegan, I do not eat fish, yet the way that harmony with the natural world is prioritized in the fishing culture and practices of the Yurok are certainly admirable. Although I will avoid spoilers, I will note that there is an uplifting end to this story, one that motivates the writing of this book. As Bowers writes, "I realized I was the first generation of my family to have something other than a violent relationship with the state of California."
The author of this book is Amy Bowers Cordalis, the legal counsel for her tribe and a fighter for indigenous sovereignty nationwide. She is also a fisherwoman, with fishing sitting at the root of the tribe's culture. As a vegan, I do not eat fish, yet the way that harmony with the natural world is prioritized in the fishing culture and practices of the Yurok are certainly admirable. Although I will avoid spoilers, I will note that there is an uplifting end to this story, one that motivates the writing of this book. As Bowers writes, "I realized I was the first generation of my family to have something other than a violent relationship with the state of California."
February 2, 2026
Very well done. This personal story, and extended family story, of growing up on the Klamath River and the abuses suffered at the hands of the colonizers and the US Federal government is touching and enlightening. The Yurok Nation lived comfortably with the finite resources provided by Nature, while the colonizers came and stole excessively, creating the environmental chaos that was killing off the salmon. By asserting their legal rights, the Indigenous Nations of the area were able to remove the dams and work with the farmers to restore the Klamath River to a free-flowing watershed. This is a real history we should all learn from.
"... This challenges the outdated belief that industrializing nature is the only path to prosperity. Instead, Klamath dam removal shows that deindustrializing, healing natural systems, and upholding Indigenous rights are good for business, communities, and the planet." -- p. 264
"The Yurok and Karuk ... were guided by our worldview that supported world renewal by restoring balance between nature and humans. Humans are a part of nature, not separate, and must work to restore it." -- p. 265
"... This challenges the outdated belief that industrializing nature is the only path to prosperity. Instead, Klamath dam removal shows that deindustrializing, healing natural systems, and upholding Indigenous rights are good for business, communities, and the planet." -- p. 264
"The Yurok and Karuk ... were guided by our worldview that supported world renewal by restoring balance between nature and humans. Humans are a part of nature, not separate, and must work to restore it." -- p. 265
December 5, 2025
I don't know why they don't have the Audible version listed... I'm using the hardcover version for this review, but i HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. Amy reads it herself, sings songs in it, and has recordings from her grandmother and aunt. I live in the area and have been following the movement to remove the dams. I took cried happy tears when they came down and am ecstatic to see the salmon area back in their native spawning grounds. The Yurok nation is doing incredible restoration work along the Klamath as well, furthering the healing process for the river, their people, and the world.
November 10, 2025
Greatest restoration story on earth
This book describes the greatest restoration story on earth. Restoration of a river, it’s fisheries, and the indigenous people, and culture that have lived in balance with the natural world for centuries. This book is a must read for anyone looking for hope and a template for societies around the world to reclaim their rivers. A remarkable story about living ones life with purpose, and connection.
This book describes the greatest restoration story on earth. Restoration of a river, it’s fisheries, and the indigenous people, and culture that have lived in balance with the natural world for centuries. This book is a must read for anyone looking for hope and a template for societies around the world to reclaim their rivers. A remarkable story about living ones life with purpose, and connection.
December 10, 2025
I’m only giving the 4 star because of grammar issues and many repeats of information. Otherwise, this was a great book and taught me a few things. It’s crazy how much we’ve stolen from the indigenous people but this family’s determination and strength is commendable. I throughly enjoyed hearing of her families history and all that she went through for this batter.
January 9, 2026
My husband worked on the restoration side of this project and i also got to witness each dam removal as they happened, as well as the salmon returning to places they haven’t been in over 100 years. It’s incredibly moving.
What a beautiful telling of her family’s story and their connection to the river.
What a beautiful telling of her family’s story and their connection to the river.
February 4, 2026
An important historical document written with love and lyricism. It was a privilege to read. The audio version comes with the bonuses of the author’s voice, singing, and Grandmother’s recorded stories.
November 25, 2025
Absolutely must read - I recommend listening as I did. Amy reads, there are live interviews, and traditional songs. It is more than fantastic.
January 20, 2026
This is a beautifully written book. It is about a particular Native Nation but more so, a book that speaks to the oneness of creation and what it means to truly be a steward of creation. A must read!
January 24, 2026
A book worth reading about eco-disaster, misuse of power, and the unbending will of Indigenous People.
December 1, 2025
A very important read about a long fight to getting fishers rights in the Native community. Loved the interview at the end!
January 1, 2026
A book written from the heart, a very personal account of the fight for the Klamath Dam Removal, but also so much more. Cheering on this local author.
December 11, 2025
My AudioFile review:
THE WATER REMEMBERS
My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life
by Amy Bowers Cordalis | Read by Amy Bowers Cordalis, Geneva Mattz, Lavina Bowers
Contemporary Culture • 10.5 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2025
Amy Bowers Cordalis, general counsel and member of the Yurok Nation, tells the complex story of her family's multigenerational part in the restoration of the Klamath River. From time immemorial, Bowers Cordalis' people have fished the Klamath, which covers 257 miles from southern Oregon to northern California. But when the U.S. government dammed the river, the water became warmer, dangerous algae bloomed, at least 33,000 fish died, and a way of life for Indigenous people that had lasted for thousands of years was destroyed. Bowers Cordalis' account of the scientific data and many court battles leading to the dam's reversal can be a bit dry. What lifts this production above the ordinary is the inclusion of Yurok songs and recorded oral histories. S.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2025]
Trade Ed. • Hachette Audio • 2025
DD ISBN 9781668643907 $27.99
THE WATER REMEMBERS
My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life
by Amy Bowers Cordalis | Read by Amy Bowers Cordalis, Geneva Mattz, Lavina Bowers
Contemporary Culture • 10.5 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2025
Amy Bowers Cordalis, general counsel and member of the Yurok Nation, tells the complex story of her family's multigenerational part in the restoration of the Klamath River. From time immemorial, Bowers Cordalis' people have fished the Klamath, which covers 257 miles from southern Oregon to northern California. But when the U.S. government dammed the river, the water became warmer, dangerous algae bloomed, at least 33,000 fish died, and a way of life for Indigenous people that had lasted for thousands of years was destroyed. Bowers Cordalis' account of the scientific data and many court battles leading to the dam's reversal can be a bit dry. What lifts this production above the ordinary is the inclusion of Yurok songs and recorded oral histories. S.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2025]
Trade Ed. • Hachette Audio • 2025
DD ISBN 9781668643907 $27.99
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews