Cool weather, muddy river
The weather remains mild in the Klamath Basin; however, thunderstorms over severely burned landscapes have the Klamath running a muddy brown from near Yreka, CA to the ocean. Still, biologists believe conditions remain favorable for out migrating juveniles. The highlight of this week's news clips comes from Sunday's Seattle Times which includes a mini documentary that's well worth the watch. The Times article highlights the fact that dam removal will advance fisheries restoration but conflicts over flows remain. Other articles cover legislative efforts in California to better regulate flows in tributaries; others cover litigation over mainstem flows as regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation Klamath Irrigation Project. We round out this week's news with a Northcoast Journal cover story on the 20th anniversary of the Klamath Salmon Run which features lots of great pictures of the families that participated. Dig in - there is a lot to learn in this week's edition!
News
The massive dam removal on the Klamath may save salmon but can’t solve the West’s water crisis | The Seattle Times
Four dams on the Klamath River are set to come down by 2024, with work already underway. The removal comes after a decadeslong fight between tribes and the government.
California water rights battle reaches new stage in Legislature - CalMatters
The conflict over water rights has been brewing in California for decades. Now the Legislature is weighing three bills to curb those rights.
Fight over Oregon’s Klamath water can stay in federal court, Ninth Circuit rules | Courthouse News Service
A Ninth Circuit panel ruled against the Klamath Irrigation District in its attempt to move a dispute over the allocation of water within the Klamath Basin from federal court to an Oregon state court.
Indigenous science key to adapting to climate change
Karuk Tribe members identified the importance of monitoring climate stress on plant species and actively managing ecosystem processes
New fishing regulations proposed for Klamath River following dam removal | KMVU Fox 26 Medford
A public meeting is scheduled for June 8, 6 p.m. at the Klamath County Fairgrounds Linman Hall. ODFW will give a short presentation of the proposed changes and will allow a chance for the public to ask questions and offer comments.
ODFW says the changes will help accommodate salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey that will soon have access to the upper Klamath Basin for the first time in over 100 years.
Dam Removal project will restore Klamath River | Waterwatch | kdrv.com
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – While the largest dam removal project in history aims to restore the Klamath River, experts say it will also have a positive impact on the rest of the Klamath Basin.
High and Dry | Ducks Unlimited
William Finley was a director of the Audubon Society when he crossed the Cascade Mountains into the Klamath Basin in the summer of 1905. But that year he also carried a badge. Oregon had deputized the well-known naturalist and assigned him the task of ending the state’s feather trade.
2023 KPDRA No Irrigation Program Announcement
The Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (KPDRA) is currently accepting applications for its 2023 No Irrigation Programs. The programs provide financial incentives to local farmers and ranchers who normally water through the Klamath Project to align water supply and demand.
In Case You Missed It...
'A Single Purpose' | News | North Coast Journal
Local Tribes come together for the 20th annual Salmon Run, the last that will pass the Klamath Dams.
Yurok Tribe cautious about offshore wind project – Times-Standard
“We have to do it differently than we have for the last 150 years. We have to do it differently than we did with the petroleum industry. We have to do it differently than we did with the logging in…
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