Reclamation Releases 2010 Operations Plan for the Klamath Project

The Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath Basin Area Office released the annual Operations Plan for the Klamath Project today.  Conditions should permit releases to begin no earlier than May 15. Reclamation and irrigation contractors are together monitoring the situation closely.  Releases will begin as soon as conditions allow.  Klamath irrigators can expect the following releases from Project facilities:

For Upper Klamath Lake irrigators, 30 to 40 percent of average annual releases or an estimated 150,000 acre-feet of water can be expected.  The 2010 Project Operations Plan identifies lake elevations that help protect the Endangered Species Act-listed (ESA) suckers in the lake.   Reclamation will meet with irrigation contractors on a weekly basis to examine the situation and ensure minimum lake elevations are maintained throughout the irrigation season.

Gerber Lake’s forecasted inflow and carryover will allow a release of approximately 85 percent of the average annual supply or an estimated 31,000 acre-feet.

Clear Lake Reservoir carryover storage and forecasted inflow indicate there will be no available water for irrigation releases in 2010.  The current lake level is below the minimum level established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Biological Opinion, and any further reduction in the levels may be detrimental to the ESA-listed sucker population.

 "We have been working closely with the Federal resource agencies, Tribes, and our irrigation contractors to keep them informed and involved in the 2010 Operation Plan process.  This communication is vital as difficult decisions are made concerning management options during the drought," said Ms. Sue Fry, Klamath Project Area Manager.  "Reclamation will work with the irrigation districts to monitor and continually evaluate lake elevations and provide periodic operations updates to the Service, the Tribes, and the State of Oregon," she added. 

The 2010 Operations Plan is available online.   For questions or to request copies of the plan, please contact Mr. Kevin Moore, Bureau of Reclamation, Klamath Basin Area Office, e-mail klmoore@usbr.gov or 541-880-2557 (TTY 916-978-5608).