UNITED STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION STOPS WATER DISTRIBUTION FROM UPPER LAKE IN KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON TO AREA FARMS AND REFUGES.

UNITED STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION STOPS WATER DISTRIBUTION FROM UPPER LAKE IN KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON TO AREA FARMS AND REFUGES.

According to a press release from the Klamath Water Users Association on August 18, 2022, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) informed irrigation districts supplying water from the Upper Klamath Lake in Klamath Falls, Oregon to stop diverting water to family farms and national wildlife refuges in the area. Reclamation has issued this order in a continuing effort to protect the endangered sucker fish species found in the area and this decision has been met with an abundance of opposition as farmers are unable to grow crops and refuges can not support the needs of the wildlife in the area.

Opponents of this action identify that it is causing severe damage to farmer’s ability to produce food, to the economies of rural communities and the existing wildlife in the area without producing any evidence that the actions are providing solutions to the dwindling sucker fish population.

As a result of this announcement to cease water distribution, the governing boards of the Klamath Irrigation District, Tulelake Irrigation District and Klamath Drainage District are scheduling emergency meetings to evaluate the Reclamation’s actions and decide what response they will undertake.

To read the press release in its entirety, please visit Klamath Water Users Association here.