KLAMATH BASIN OREGON AND CALIFORNIA
INVESTIGATIONS

PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Klamath Basin is a 9.5-million-acre river watershed in central southern Oregon and northwest California and is home to what was the third largest salmon run on the west coast of the contiguous United States. The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) manages the Klamath Irrigation Project for which construction began in 1905 and now serves over 225,000 acres of irrigated crop lands and two U.S. wildlife refuges. The Klamath River is a nationally significant river and is the focus of large-scale restoration efforts including wetlands and floodplain restoration, water quality projects, fish habitat enhancement, reinstatement of fish passage and other efforts. A highly unique and unprecedented scale of restoration is being afforded the Klamath River basin following the scheduled removal of four privately owned dams-JC Boyle, Copco No. 1 & No. 2, and Iron Gate. The removal of these dams will allow for the restoration of over 400 miles of newly opened anadromous fish habitat, the restoration of formerly inundated lands, and the elimination of annual toxic algae blooms which occur within the existing reservoirs. The non-federal sponsor for the study is the Yurok Tribe.

            TOTAL FUNDING

            TOTAL COST                                                                            $      3,200,000

            FEDERAL COST                                                                        $      1,700,000

            NON-FEDERAL COST                                                              $      1,500,000 

            TOTAL FEDERAL COST THROUGH FY 2022                         $       0

            FY 2023 BUDGET                                                                     $       0   

            COST TO COMPLETE                                                               $       1,200,000

FY 22 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Letter of intent received from sponsor to renew interest in the study in February 2022

FY23 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Project received an FY24 appropriation in the President’s Budget for $500,000

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• Work will begin in FY24 to execute a Feasibility Cost-Share Agreement with the sponsor
• Develop a Project Management Plan
• Hold Alternatives Milestone Meeting
• Progress towards a Tentatively Selected Plan

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST­

• 1^st District, CA, Rep. Doug LaMalfa
• 2nd District, OR, Rep. Cliff Bentz

POINT OF CONTACT

• Deputy for Project Management, (415) 503-6593.

Updated on 22 March 2023

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