Reclamation to implement Klamath River flushing flow for salmon health 042120

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For Release:  April  21, 2020 

Reclamation to implement Klamath River flushing flow for salmon health

KBC News NOTE: "Increased flows to begin April 22 and continue through May 1; public urged to take safety precautions on or near the river while flows are high...flows below Iron Gate Dam will increase from approximately 1,325 cubic feet per second up to 6,000 cfs. Increased releases out of Upper Klamath Lake will occur simultaneously..." KBC NOTE: The Klamath Project is projected to receive less than 50% of their deeded water this season. With this huge increased taking of Project water, the Bureau of Reclamation's draft Project operation plan, (https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=42926) states: “During the three-year period of the Proposed Action Alternative, the cumulative impacts (to help fish) are likely to be minor, as sucker recovery, coho enhancement, and changes to the biological resources would require a much longer time frame to be implemented and their effects are speculative beyond the period of analysis.” However the operation plan promises, "...involuntary land fallowing of productive irrigable land within the Proposed Action Alternative area would occur leading to an increased risk to local rural agricultural communities.” After the three years they will inform us of their NEW plan after they destroy the Klamath River Hydroelectric Dams and downsize agriculture in the Klamath Project.

Increased flows to begin April 22 and continue through May 1; public urged to take safety precautions on or near the river while flows are high

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with PacifiCorp, plans to increase flows below Iron Gate Dam to reduce the risk of disease for coho salmon in the Klamath River. 

Beginning April 22, flows below Iron Gate Dam will increase from approximately 1,325 cubic feet per second up to 6,000 cfs. Increased releases out of Upper Klamath Lake will occur simultaneously. The highest releases, of up to approximately 6,000 cfs, will continue for 72 hours. Flows will ramp back down to normal by May 1. The public is urged to take all necessary precautions on or near the Link and Klamath rivers while flows are high during this period.

“Reclamation is working hard to balance the available water to meet the competing needs of the Klamath Project and other resource needs in the Klamath Basin. Every acre-foot of water is valuable and is in limited supply,” said Klamath Basin Area Office Water Operations Chief David Felstul.

Reclamation is implementing the increased flow event as analyzed in the National Marine Fisheries Service 2019 Biological Opinion and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2020 Biological Opinion. The flushing flow has been coordinated with other Klamath Project operations to minimize the potential negative impacts on Upper Klamath Lake elevations and the endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers.

After the peak releases, flows will ramp down and return to levels calculated in accordance with the Interim Operations Plan and the Services’ Biological Opinions. Reclamation will continue to work with NMFS, USFWS, other fisheries experts and Klamath Basin stakeholders to comply with applicable provisions of the Endangered Species Act while supplying as much water as possible for Klamath Project irrigators.

For additional information, contact the Klamath Basin Area Office at 541-883-6935.  

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities and environmental benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.

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