Klamath Basin Issues


KLAMATH FOREST ALLIANCE
Public Lands Logging Private Lands Logging		KLAMATH BASIN
		Klamath Marsh: The 40,646 acre Klamath Marsh supports a wide variety of unusual wildlife; including Sandhill Crane, Yellow Rail, Spotted Frog, Great Gray Owl, Rocky Mountain elk, and more common species such as the Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Canadian Geese, pelicans, herons, grebes, ducks and migratory bird species. Widespread cattle grazing, water diversions for growing alfalfa, and pesticide spraying to control Clearwing Grasshoppers has degraded water quality in the past. MENU

		Chiloquin Dam: Built around 1916 to divert water to irrigated lands near Chiloquin, OR, the dam blocks 95% of the historic Lost River and Short Nosed sucker spawning habitat on the Sprague River. Spawning and rearing habitat in the Sprague River has been degraded by channelization, sedimentation, increased water temperatures, high nutrient concentrations, and the resulting high algae and aquatic plant growth from agricultural, grazing and logging operations in the Sprague River Valley. The Dam is scheduled for removal soon. MENU

		Upper Klamath Lake: Nearly 30 miles long and up to eight miles wide, Upper Klamath Lake is the largest body of freshwater west of the Rockies, and contains the largest population of endangered Lost River and Shortnose Suckers in the Klamath Basin. Historical diking and draining of the lake for grazing and irrigation has reduced the lake by 30%, and wetlands and marshes by 66%. Once free of algae, the lake is now plagued by fish killing algae blooms, sediment runoff from tributaries, and high nutrient concentrations from cattle grazing. MENU

		Klamath Reclamation Project: Over 200,000 acres of irrigation are provided to 1,400 farms in the Klamath Basin. There are 19 canals that total 185 miles, and hundreds of miles of lateral channels and drains. Most of this water is drawn from the Upper Klamath Lake and used for irrigation until it reaches Tule Lake, where it is pumped back through the Lower Klamath Refuges and re-circulated into the Klamath River. The returning water is warmer, lower in dissolved oxygen, and contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus which are harmful to fish. MENU, PUMP F

		Link River Dam: Built in 1921, the Link River Dam controls the flow of water from Upper Klamath Lake into the Klamath River, and contains a fish ladder suitable for sucker fish migration. Both the A Canal and Keno Canal water diversions originate from the Link River Dam area, and carry the majority of water for the Klamath Irrigation Project. The canyon below the dam is a popular fishing, birdwatching and hiking spot for residents of nearby Klamath Falls. MENU

		Lost River & Diversion Dams: The Lost River Main Diversion Dam is on the Lost River about 4 miles below Olene, Oregon, and diverts water for irrigation use and towards the Tule Lake Refuge. Most of the Lost River is listed on the 303(d) list for water-quality limited streams for the following criteria: chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and fecal coliform. Farms and diaries along the Lost River are contributing nutrients, sediment, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Unscreened diversion dams, and check dams block fish passage. MENU, MALONE DAM, MILLER DAM

		Tule Lake Refuge: The Tule Lake Refuge is home to many important bird species; including the Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Canadian Geese, pelicans, herons, grebes, and numerous duck species. Migrating and wintering waterfowl compete with farmers for the 39,116 acre refuge, of which 17,000 acres are farmed to grow cereal crops, alfalfa, potatoes and onions. A lack of marshland habitat, pesticide spraying, overcrowding, warm water, algae blooms, and disease threaten wildlife. MENU

		Klamath Straits Drain: Water is moved back to the Klamath River after circulating through the Klamath Irrigation Project through the Klamath Straits Drain. This canal carries a toxic soup of nutrients including phosphorous, nitrogen and ammonia from wastewater treatment facilities, faulty septic tanks, farm and dairy runoff, pasture irrigation, and fertilizer applications. Conditions lethal to fish including elevated water temperatures, low dissolved oxygen levels, high ph values, suspended solids, and algae blooms occur every year. MENU

		Lower Klamath Refuge: Established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, Lower Klamath Refuge is our nation’s first waterfowl refuge. Lower Klamath Lake once spanned 85,000-94,000 acres of wetlands and marshlands, but over time it was drained and diked to form the present day 46,900 acre refuge. The refuge supports Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Canadian Geese, pelicans, herons, grebes, and numerous duck species. During drought years, overcrowding of waterfowl has lead to large outbreaks of disease and death. MENU

		Clear Lake Dam: Located on the headwaters of the Lost River, Clear Lake Reservoir is the primary source of water for the agricultural portion of the eastern half of the Klamath Basin. Home to Pronghorn Antelope, Bald Eagle, and one of the last remaining Sage Grouse Leeks, the area has been degraded by historical grazing, logging and water diversions. Wetland and marshland restoration is badly needed; including cattle exclusion, planting of streamside vegetation, and increased flows to improve habitat for the Lost River and Shortnose Suckers. MENU

		Gerber Reservoir: Built in 1925 for water storage on Miller Creek, a tributary to the Lost River in Oregon, Gerber Dam and Reservoir has a large resident population of Shortnose Suckers. The lake sometimes suffers from drought conditions due to low re-charge rates, putting resident fish species at risk due to stress, competition for food, space, predation, and disease. Overgrazing of streamside vegetation, and excessive logging and road building on private lands nearby, has increased sediment, nutrient, and warm water pollution. MENU

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