Klamath Restoration Agreements

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 Klamath Agreements address Klamath River Water Quality Impairments

Implementation of the agreements would alleviate massive blooms of toxic blue green algae through removal of the lower four Klamath dams and provide interim measures to improve water quality immediately.

algaeCRCC.bottle.072706The Klamath River suffers from poor water quality conditions that are caused in large part by the operation of the lower four Klamath Dams.  The reservoirs created by the dams negatively affect water temperatures in the river downstream, have incredibly low oxygen concentrations, and host massive blooms of  toxic algae each summer. 

Microcystis aeruginosa has been identified in Klamath Hyrdoproject (KHP) reservoirs and downstream all the way to the Klamath River estuary. Microcystis aeruginosa secretes microcystin, a potent liver toxin and known tumor promotor.

 

Summer Fishing on Iron Gate ReservoirIn fact, the reservoirs host levels of Microcystis aeruginosa that are among the highest ever observed anywhere in the world. Upstream of the KHP, detect of Microcystis aeruginosa is rarely detected and then at very low levels. 

PacifiCorp's Iron Gate and Copco reservoirs serve as incubators that are directly responsible for the increasing levels of Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin toxin detected in the lower Klamath River.

Microcystin toxin has been detected in resident fish tissue and fresh water mussels[1] as well as the nasal passages of recreational reservoir users[2]. Dam removal is the only sure remedy for reducing Microcystis aeruginosa blooms.  

Overall water quality improvements

Although the Klamath dams are a key factor in Klamath water quality impairmtents, they are not the only factor. Implementation of the Klamath Agreements would  address basin wide water quality problems that otherwise would be addressed in a piecemeal fashion if at all.

Under terms of the Klamath Agreements:

  • PacifiCorp will fund a water quality conference focused on developing a comprehensive strategy for reducing nutrient loading in the Klamath Basin.[3]
  • PacifiCorp will fund over $10 million worth of on–the-ground water quality improvements – measures developed in collaboration with Tribes, conservation groups, and other stakeholders.[4]
  • The KBRA calls for over $60 million in water quality improvement measures, in particular focusing in Keno Reservoir.[5]
  • All applicable clean water laws, including the Clean Water Act, must be adhered to.
References:
[1] Technical Memorandum – Microcystin Bioaccumulation in Klamath River Fish and Freshwater Mussel Tissue: Preliminary 2007 Results, Jacob Kann, Ph.D., 2008. 
[2] Recreational Exposure to microcystins during algal blooms in two California Lakes, Lorraine et al., Toxicon, 2009.
[3] KHSA Interim Measure 10
[4] KHSA Interim Measure 11
[5] KBRA Keno restoration funding

Featured Links:

Karuk Water Quality Monitoring Data HomeCalifornia Blue Green Algae Work Group (State Water Resources Control Board)
Dam Removal and Klamath River Water Quality: A Synthesis of the Current Conceptual Understanding and an Assessment of Data Gaps -- Stillwater Sciences for California Coastal Conservancy (Dec. 2008)
Causes and Effects of Water Quality Conditions in the Upper Klamath River -- Kier and Associates (2007)
American Rivers' Klamath Page has more Water Quality Information


 



Did You Know?

Water Shut-off Highlights Need for Klamath Agreements

Karuk Tribe

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2010

For more information: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, cell 916-207-8294

 

Drought Highlights Need for Klamath Agreements

Fish and Farms would be better off today if the Klamath Restoration Agreements where already in place

 Orleans, CA – Today Secretary of Interior Salazaar addressed the current drought situation in the Klamath Basin by breaking the hard news to irrigators that water deliveries will be reduced to 30-40% of average. Before agricultural deliveries can be made, the Bureau of Reclamation must first ensure that the water level in Upper Klamath Lake and the flows in the Klamath River meet minimal requirements to allow for the survival of ESA listed suckers and coho salmon.

 “It’s a difficult year for everyone. Even though irrigation deliveries are being dramatically cut, the water fish are getting only meets the minimal amount needed to avoid extinction. It’s barely enough water to keep the fishery on life support,” according to Leaf Hillman, Director of Karuk Natural Resources Department.

 The current situation is due in large part to a lack of precipitation, but if fisheries managers had the flexibility to manage the system in the manner prescribed by the recently signed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, more water would be available for fish in the crucial spring months ahead and more water would be available for agriculture as well.

 The current management plan prescribes winter flows in the river without considering weather events in real time. In a dry winter like this one, the result is that flows are held steady even in the face of deteriorating hydrologic conditions. Under Real Time Management, flows would have been pared back to better reflect the weather conditions in real time. This approach would have allowed resource managers to provide more water to the river in the spring when fish need it most, left more water in Upper Klamath Lake for suckers, and more management flexibility in meeting irrigation needs.

 According to Hillman, “We basically ran up a water deficit this winter gambling that a late season storm would bail us out, but the rains never came. Implementation of the Klamath Restoration Agreement would provide a more sound approach to water management.”

 In addition, the Real Time Management Plan called for by the KBRA would restore some of the Klamath’s natural hydrograph. This means river flows would be greater during storm events and less during dry periods. Current management calls for flat line flows out of Iron Gate Dam which is bad for fish. “Flat line flows contribute to the algae and fish disease problems on the Klamath by creating a stable environment for algae and disease carrying parasites to flourish. If we mimicked the river’s natural flow pattern with normal flow variability, it would help these problems greatly,” according to Karuk Senior Fisheries Biologist Toz Soto.

 Tribes are offering to support disaster relief measures to help farm families through the season. “Hopefully, we can get the Klamath Restoration Agreements enacted by congress this year and avoid a crisis like this in the future. Until then, Tribal and fishing communities will need to support our neighbors in farming and ranching as they brace for a year of economic hardship,” said Hillman.

 

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Technical memo describing how KBRA management would have helped address this year’s drought