Resource Management in the Klamath Basin
While fires and fish kills have hit the communities in the mid-Klamath Basin, in the upper Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation has turned off the water for farmers who divert from Upper Klamath Lake. Water levels in the lake are managed to help protect the C’waam and Koptu - endangered suckers endemic to the area. However, when waters are held in the lake, it has implications for salmon fisheries downstream, migratory birds that use the National Wildlife Refuges to the south, and farmers on the Klamath Irrigation Project.
There are no simple answers to managing water resources in the Klamath Basin. What is clear is the need for a holistic approach that considers the needs of all Klamath Basin communities and ecosystems.
Explore the articles below to learn more.
News
Recent Rains Highlight Additional Risks of Escalating Wildfires - Union of Concerned Scientists
The harm wildfires cause goes far beyond scorched earth.
Klamath Mountain trees struggle to adapt to rapidly changing climate – Times-Standard
Climate change is causing changes in the environment, but research is showing the environment is struggling to keep up and returning fire to the landscape could bolster its resiliency.
No evidence found that Klamath floods affected Chinook migration, tribe says | Jefferson Public Radio
Early this month, flooding from the McKinney Fire burn zone filled the Klamath River with sediment, killing tens of thousands of fish. Despite losses of some fish species, it appears adult Chinook salmon were relatively unaffected.
Here is how beavers are helping in California's firefight | abc10.com
Climate scientists are finding that working with what nature provides could be more effective than our synthetic solutions.
Inflation makes recovery from California fires and other disasters difficult. : NPR
Extreme weather events made worse by climate change are hitting some of the poorest parts of the United States hard. Recovery will be extra difficult at a time of high inflation.
PacifiCorp sued, accused of causing deadly McKinney Fire
A lawsuit was filed this week against PacifiCorp, claiming the utility's electrical equipment caused the McKinney Fire.
Feds cut water off to Klamath farmers for remainder of season | Jefferson Public Radio
Federal officials announced on Thursday that water will be cut off to farmers in the Klamath Basin for the rest of the irrigation season.
Feds cut water off to Klamath farmers for remainder of season - OPB
Federal officials announced on Thursday that water will be cut off to farmers in the Klamath Basin for the rest of the irrigation season.
Fish groups say water strategy not enough | News | triplicate.com
Last week, California Governor Newsom released his Water Supply Strategy, which is intended to guide and improve the state’s ability to adapt to a hotter, drier future. Leading cold-water conservation groups California Trout (CalTrout) and Trout Unlimited (TU) applauded the governor’s action but said the strategy must also articulate how it will address the worsening state of freshwater ecosystems, native fish populations, and recreational and commercial fisheries.
Meet the condors of the Pacific Northwest – Red Bluff Daily News
For the first time in more than a century, endangered Prey-go-neesh (California condors) can now be seen flying over Northern California’s redwoods.
In Case You Missed It...
McKinney Fire, California's largest this year, is 95% contained; victims ID'd
The U.S. Forest Service on Friday issued the final update for the McKinney Fire, which grew to more than 60,000 acres.
Six Rivers Complex grows; new wildfires start in North State
Firefighters battled new wildfire starts and older blazes burning in the North State on Thursday.
Take a Look at the Indigenous Science Camp for Youth at Sue-Meg State Park - Redheaded Blackbelt
“The camp is part of the push to include native sciences, history, and cultural practices in classrooms in Humboldt, Del Norte, and Siskiyou County…”
Klamath Salmon Festival Celebrates Reintroduction of California Condor to Yurok Country, Dam Removal | Wild Rivers Outpost | Del Norte, Curry Counties
The Yurok Tribe is extremely excited to invite the community to the 58th Annual Klamath Salmon Festival on Saturday, August 20 in Klamath. The theme of this year’s event is Rising Up in recognition of the recent reintroduction of the Prey-go-neesh (California condor) in Yurok Country and the pending removal of the Klamath dams.
