KLAMATH RIVER BASIN WATERSHED OREGON AND CALIFORNIA
INVESTIGATIONS

PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Klamath Basin is home to the third largest salmon run on the west coast. Removal of four dams within the basin has been approved and is creating a unique opportunity to study aquatic ecosystem restoration possibilities in the watershed. Approximately 80% of basin’s wetlands have been lost to farming by reclamation. The Klamath Basin Project, built in the early 1900s to provide irrigation for about 240,000 acres, is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. A severe drought has persisted in the area over the past several years. In one year, operators of the Project were forced to shutdown irrigation water to more than 2,000 farms during the growing season. In a subsequent year, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reported that low flows were a factor in a fish kill of more than 34,000 adult pre-spawning salmon and steelhead. Federal disaster assistance was sought for commercial fishermen as a result. The numerous species of special interest include threatened coho salmon, bald eagle, northern spotted owl, snowy plover, and endangered sucker fish.

FY 20 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• N/A (not funded)

FY 21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS (based on the availability of funds)

• Execute Feasibility Cost-Share Agreement
• Develop Project Management Plan
• Hold Alternatives Milestone Meeting
• Progress towards Tentatively Selected Plan

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• The Yurok Tribe working with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation are the potential Non-Federal Sponsors (NFS) and are interested in cost-sharing a feasibility study.

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST

• 2^nd District, OR, Rep. Greg Walden
• 1^st District, CA, Rep. Doug LaMalfa

POINT OF CONTACT

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

Updated on 17 January 2020

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