KDD Exercises state permit for diversion of water

Consistent with Recent OWRD Determinations

The following is a press release from the Klamath Drainage District.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Thursday evening [4/15/21], the Klamath Drainage District (KDD) began deliveries of water after its Board of Supervisors voted to operate under its state permit. KDD acquired the permit from the Oregon Water Resources Department in 1977 for the use of live flow from the Klamath River for year-round irrigation like all other private irrigators on the river currently diverting.

The water right permit is supplemental to other KDD water rights determined in the Klamath Basin Adjudication, generally known as the Reclamation Project Water Users Claim (“Project water”). The supplemental water right has historically been treated as independent from “Project” water. On Wednesday, the Bureau of Reclamation informed Klamath Project irrigators that Project water would not be available until May 15. In contrast, OWRD recently determined that water is available at KDD’s headgates for diversion.

“We recognize the drought situation, but we could not wait another day,” said Jason Flowers, President of the District. “The Biological Opinion limited our ability to adequately raise the soil moisture profile in the offseason, so we are already running behind. After learning there is no Project water available, we now know the source of water we have to use.”

In addition to the lack of pre-season water, the dry and windy spring has begun eroding the soils on the District. High winds have created massive dust storms. “We’ve been waiting for precipitation and it just hasn’t come,” said Scott White, General Manager of the District. “The dust has been unbearable out here.”

Bill Walker, Vice-President of KDD, noted the harm this drought has had on the wildlife within the District. “Look, we care about all the species in the Basin, but I’ve watched baby ducks and baby geese hatch in dry canals,” stressed Walker. “These are not survivable conditions, and I feel responsible for that.”

The decision to exercise the District’s permit was not taken lightly by the board, and the board stressed to management that every drop be used as effectively and responsibly as possible. “We have a duty to our landowners to use the tools we have to deliver the resources that they pay for,” said Flowers. “But one of our guiding principles is to be environmentally conscious with the resources we use which means we are going to be as efficient as possible as to not impact the other users during this drought.”

“We have really ramped up our recycling program,” White added. “The water on the district often gets used three to four times. I’m going to stretch that to five on a year like this if possible.”

White also added he intends to work closely with the Bureau, other districts and all other stakeholders as much as possible to help with the management of this water year. “We want to be as transparent as possible and understand that knowing what we do helps in making key management decisions.”

Klamath Drainage District is a 27,000 acre district located in Southern Oregon on the California border and adjacent to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. The District primarily grows grass and alfalfa hay, grain potatoes and pasture. The District sits in the heart of the Pacific Flyway and provides feed and habitat for numerous species of birds and mammals including over one-million migrating waterfowl annually. Over half of the District’s acres are certified organic.