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Water year looks to be below average

How does this effect the Klamath Irrigation Project and the Refuges

 
Pioneer Press
Fort Jones, CA
March 14, 2007
Page A10, Column 1 

By Lance Waldren
Pioneer Press Staff Writer

KLAMATH BASIN - "It's a little too early to say about this summer,
things will be tight but we should be able to get through," said
Klamath Irrigation Manager Dave Solem.

Solem had just returned from a meeting with the Bureau of
Reclamation. The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
determines a projected water inflow by looking at water shed levels
and by evaluating snow pack. This projected inflow is then used to
determine year type. Based on the information at the meeting Solem
said "we are somewhere in the middle of a below average year and this
is probably were we will stay."

The official "Year Type" will be decided on April 1st by the Bureau
of Reclamation. The year type determines the down river flow
schedules and the lake elevations that must be maintained throughout
the summer. Once these demands have been met only then can any water
be released to the Klamath Irrigation Project or the refuges.

The flow schedule and lake elevations are determined by the 2002
Biological Opinion and must be maintained. "A court order says that
is what will happen, you will meet these flows," said Solem. "The
Federal Court Order and the Endangered Species Act takes away all
flexibility making it hard for either long term or short term
planning," said Solem.

The Bureau of Reclamation started the process for a new biological
opinion. This will include biological assessments from US Fish and
Wildlife who look at the effects on sucker fish as well as NOAA who
determines the impact on Coho Salmon. The new opinion should be
completed by April 2008.

According to Solem, the Bureau of Reclamation is using a water bank
program "as a short term tool" to help ensure water for the
irrigators and the refuge. The program is designed to supplement the
supply by purchasing water from private wells. Also to reduce demand
by paying farmers to set aside acreage and not irrigate.

Even with all of this, Solem said "this is still just predicting, a
probability type thing." If lake levels drop in upper Klamath Lake
this summer, all bets are off. There are so many people and families
depending on this water that some sort of long term solution must be
found.
 
(Permission to post from the publisher.)