Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis Upholding rural Americans

For Immediate Release:

May 7, 2004

Jeffrey McCracken, Bureau of Reclamation

Inflows Dictate Change in Water Year Type

A dry spring and poor runoff have resulted in reduced inflows to Upper Klamath Lake, causing a change in year-type forecast for the 2004 water year from a “below average” year to a “dry” water year. The Project will now be operated to track Iron Gate Dam releases for a dry water year type as per the final NOAA Fisheries Service Biological Opinion (BO). As is true of many areas of the west, actual precipitation patterns and runoff conditions are far below earlier expectations.

According to the forecast of the National Resources Conservation Service, projected inflow for the remaining water year has dropped from 366,000 acre feet on April 1^st to 284,600 acre feet.

For additional information, contact Reclamation’s Public Affairs Office at 541.880.2543.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits.