Changing temps will impact Basin

Study: Snow pack, river flows declining, more drought conditions expected

By SARA HOTTMAN

H&N Staff Reporter

December 1, 2010

   The predictions, from a report released Tuesday by the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, are based on temperature increases nationwide and the resulting impact on area ecosystems — weather, water, agriculture, forests and public health.

   In the Klamath Basin, that means droughts, such as the one that caused the 2001 water crisis, will be exacerbated and groundwater systems won’t be adequately restored because of less runoff, researchers said.

   Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association shows the nation is experiencing the highest high temperatures and lowest lows it has seen in 100 years. And those extremes are increasing each year.  

   11th warmest on record

   Nationwide, October was the 11th warmest on record, NOAA reported, with temperatures 2.1 degrees higher than the 100 -year average and precipitation 0.26 inches lower.

   Higher temperatures in part are caused by carbon dioxide, which comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. As that pollutant lingers in the atmosphere, it traps heat, increasing global temperatures.

   While 2 degrees doesn’t seem like much, it compounds over time, researchers said, and eventually it will make the difference between freezing and above freezing temperatures — snow versus rain.

   In the report, researchers predict that Oregon’s water supply will decrease, wildfires will increase, and ecosystems will alter as temperatures rise.

   “Weather is hard to predict,” said Roger Hamilton, a senior policy analyst for the Climate Leadership Initiative and Langell Valley rancher. “But climate change is a statistical expectation … where we can say with some certainty that this is going to happen 30 years out.”  

   Agriculture   

   Current predictions show in 40 years, local water resources would be stressed more than they already are. Higher-than average temperatures mean less snow pack, which leads to less storage to replenish water bodies and underground aquifers.

   For farmers and ranchers, that means less water to irrigate with.

   The Climate Leadership Initiative group last month said low-flow irrigation systems and drought-proof crops would help counter the effects of climate change.

   T.J. Woodley, director of the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District, a government organization that helps landowners implement conservation projects, said looking at long-term  sustainable agriculture practices is not just socially responsible, “it’s just good business.”

   Conservation methods

   Some local growers already have implemented water and power conservation methods as a way to save money and reduce water use.

   Randy and Debi Wallace received the district’s Beginning Farmer award at its annual dinner for their energy conservation work. They installed efficient irrigation systems and managed irrigation practices, like watering according to wind schedules so they didn’t lose water to wind.

   “With the water issues we have, I’m not sure how much water I’m going to have. The more efficient we are the less water we use,” said Debi Wallace, who has been farming for two years in the Merrill area. “I’m trying to reduce pumping costs so I can actually make a profit.”

   In addition to producing alfalfa, alfalfa grass mix and 16 cattle, the Wallaces planted drought-resistant winter wheat, which grows during the wet winter and spring so they water it only a few times. Most farmers in the Basin grow spring wheat.

   Diversification

   Longtime farmer Dan Chin received the district’s Diversified Farmer award for his efforts to improve irrigation efficiency on his farm. For the past 10 years, his operation has gradually added pivots, pumps, and other equipment.  

   “If we’re more efficient with our water usage, obviously we’re going to use less water, we’re going to use less power, and power is very expensive now,” said Chin, owner of Wong Potatoes. Since too much or too little water stresses crops, “the more efficient you are with irrigation, the better quality your crops are.

   “There are good benefits to irrigation efficiency,” he said.

   Irrigation equipment is expensive, so he buys what he can afford from the previous year’s profits. With less production so less profit this year, his efficiency improvements will likely be limited to nozzles, he said.