Refuges to feel impact of drought 

This year's water shortage could mean fewer migratory birds at the Klamath Wildlife Refuges. And that means fewer tourists, too.

Officials say disruptions in the water supply could have a noticeable impact on the area's wetlands, lowering water levels on the Lower Klamath Lake, Clear Lake and Tule Lake.

"Coming this fall, there are going to be a lot of unknowns," said Greg Austin, deputy refuge manager for the Klamath Wildlife Refuges. "We're expecting a lot less water for the birds during the fall migration."

The refuges are a complex of six wildlife-designated areas in the Klamath Basin of Southern Oregon and Northern California, sitting amid the Pacific Flyway, a sort of interstate highway for birds migrating in the spring and fall.

Feeding grounds

As part of their mission to restore fish and wildlife to the region, refuge staff work to establish prime feeding grounds ahead of the birds' arrival. The refuge utilizes nearby "co-op fields," spread over about 2,500 acres, to plant grains. On any given year, two-thirds of those acres are used by the farmers, while the remaining third - slightly more than 800 acres - is used to produce food for birds.

But Austin said a shortage of water could threaten the wetland areas where those birds pass through to rest, eat and drink before continuing on their migratory paths. In the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake refuges alone, 1.5 million birds stop to rest - mostly ducks, geese and mallards.

A steady flow of water is needed to create the refuge's wetlands, where birds eat from the plants and scattered grains that refuge staff plant ahead of the migration. When the water isn't there, plants don't grow. And when plants don't grow, birds have no food, and have no reason to set up camp in the area.

Birds flying south for the winter are often in the air for two days without rest before arriving at the refuges, Austin said. Often they can tell from above if the water levels are lower than normal. If so, many will continue south to California's Central Valley.

"It depends on how we manage our resources, and that depends on how much water is available," Austin said. "We just don't expect water this coming fall, or very little if we do get some."

The refuge complex is a junior water holder, meaning the refuges are among the final properties in the Basin to receive water each year. Watering the wetlands, Austin said, will be the key to preserving the refuges as a destination for migratory birds this fall.

A long-standing home

H&N photo by Andrew Mariman -   Pelicans gather recently at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. With less water this year, it is anticipated fewer birds and birdwatchers will visit the refuge

Austin said birds will continue using the Klamath Basin refuges as a rest stop in the future, no matter what happens this year. Birds have been using the Pacific Flyway for thousands of years, and fly over the area each time. They returned in their usual numbers in 2002, one year after a similar water shortage.

But refuge officials are still concerned about the water supply this year. Water is being stored in a series of levies, with the hope of keeping the water levels at or near normal through the fall. Even that could be a stretch, Austin said, as evaporation is reducing the supply each day.

The refuges bring in tourism money - much of it indirectly, as refuge visitors stay at nearby hotels, patronizing gas stations and restaurants. Austin said the most likely economic impact from the drought would be a drop-off in this year's waterfowl hunting season. For a $25 fee, waterfowl can be hunted in select areas of the refuge. Austin said he would not be surprised if the refuges gave out fewer passes this year than in years past.

The untrained birdwatcher may not notice much difference this fall, with thousands of birds still expected in the midst of their winter migrations. Austin said refuge crews will spend the summer months doing all they can to make sure the wetlands and grains will be available come fall.

"Our job is to grow as much food as possible, and make it last more or less the full year. Without knowing what this upcoming (water) season is going to be like, we don't really know what we're up against."