Magistrate Judge issues recommendations in litigation challenging past Klamath Project operations

Magistrate Judge issues recommendations in litigation challenging past Klamath Project operations

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Sept. 11, 2023, Magistrate Judge Marke Clarke released findings and recommendations in two lawsuits by the Klamath Tribes against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath Project operations. The Klamath Water Users Association, siding with Reclamation, argued the 2021 and 2022 operations complied with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

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Klamath Project Farmers will get to finish irrigation season; No further cuts to water supply

Klamath Project Farmers will get to finish irrigation season; No further cuts to water supply

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA), along with districts, individual water users, and tribes in the Klamath Basin, received a letter from the Bureau of Reclamation on Tuesday, announcing that the previously communicated “likely” reduction to the Klamath Project’s water supply was no longer necessary and

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Reclamation affirms Klamath Project 2023 water supply

Reclamation affirms Klamath Project 2023 water supply

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Reclamation announced today that the Klamath Project water supply allocation, originally announced on April 13 and increased on May 19, will remain at 260,000 acre-feet and no reductions will be made to Klamath Project water users. 

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Project Irrigators "look forward to fair fight" on Upper Klamath Lake elevations and fish populations

Project Irrigators "look forward to fair fight" on Upper Klamath Lake elevations and fish populations

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Klamath Project irrigators received good news on June 7. Judge Stephen Bushong, who is conducting the judicial phase of the Klamath Basin water rights adjudication, confirmed that the irrigation districts in the Project would be able to put on an evidentiary case opposing water rights claims for high Upper Klamath Lake elevations for the benefit of fish.

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Reclamation increases Klamath Project 2023 water supply allocations

Reclamation increases Klamath Project 2023 water supply allocations

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On May 19, the Bureau of Reclamation announced a boost in water supply for Klamath Project contractors, and confirmed higher lake levels for endangered sucker fish as well as larger releases from Upper Klamath Lake to benefit salmon.

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2023 KPDRA No Irrigation Program Announcement

2023 KPDRA No Irrigation Program Announcement

The Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (KPDRA) is currently accepting applications for its 2023 No Irrigation Programs. The programs provide financial incentives to local farmers and ranchers who normally water through the Klamath Project to align water supply and demand.

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Wilsonart donates water rights to Steen Sports Park

Wilsonart donates water rights to Steen Sports Park

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Last week, Steen Sports Park was notified that a generous transfer of water from Wilsonart International was finalized. After years of struggle to keep the park’s grass from dying and the playing surfaces playable, the park is finally going to see a sufficient amount of water to meet the demands of the playing fields.

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'Disappointed'

'Disappointed'

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - With over 180% snowpack currently sitting in the mountains of the Klamath River Watershed, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced water deliveries for the Klamath Project last Thursday at a mere 215,000 acre-feet. Just 47.7% of what would be full deliveries (450,000 acre-feet) for the project.

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Klamath Project gets fraction of needed supply; massive river flows anticipated

Klamath Project gets fraction of needed supply; massive river flows anticipated

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore - The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced the initial 2023 irrigation supply from Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River for farms and wildlife refuges within the Klamath Project at Klamath Water Users Association’s (KWUA) annual meeting on April 13, 2023. Reclamation’s initial allocation is 215,000 acre-feet of water, which represents approximately 60 percent of the water needed this year for farms and wildlife refuges served by the Klamath Project. 

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Reclamation increases Klamath River flows to prevent disease and promote salmon health

Reclamation increases Klamath River flows to prevent disease and promote salmon health

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with PacifiCorp, will increase flows at Link River Dam and below Iron Gate Dam to reduce the risk of disease for salmon in the Klamath River. From April 19 through the end of the month, flows will vary on the Link and Klamath rivers.

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Reclamation announces 2023 Klamath Project allocation, $13 million for drought resiliency, ecosystem enhancement

Reclamation announces 2023 Klamath Project allocation, $13 million for drought resiliency, ecosystem enhancement

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation announced the 2023 water supply allocations for Klamath Project contractors at the Klamath Water Users Association annual meeting last evening. In addition, Reclamation announced $13 million for drought resiliency, ecosystem enhancement, and groundwater monitoring in the Klamath Basin.

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Federal Court closes doors to irrigators

Federal Court closes doors to irrigators

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Last Thursday, the United States Court of Appeals issued a decision that denies Klamath Project irrigators the right to challenge federal agency decisions in court. The ruling, in a case titled Klamath Irrigation District, et al. v. United States, et al., found that irrigation parties could not file legal challenges to federal agency actions or decisions that the irrigators believe are unlawful, unless tribes in the Klamath Basin voluntarily agree to join the case as parties.

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Historic funding from President Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law headed to Klamath Basin

Historic funding from President Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law headed to Klamath Basin

WASHINGTON — Building on months of close collaboration and engagement with Klamath Basin stakeholders, Tribes, and federal, state and local leaders, the Department of the Interior today announced that nearly $26 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated for Klamath Basin restoration projects, including nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration projects in the Basin and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery.

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Federal government calls off food production, shuns wildlife, in the Klamath Basin

Federal government calls off food production, shuns wildlife, in the Klamath Basin

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Today, the United States Bureau of Reclamation said that irrigation districts that provide water to family farms and national wildlife refuges should immediately cease all diversion of water from Upper Klamath Lake, the major water storage reservoir for the Klamath Project.

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Reclamation files surprise complaints against KDD

Reclamation files surprise complaints against KDD

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The day after our country celebrated its independence, and just three days after water in KDD’s North Canal was used to fight a wildfire in a nearby Midland neighborhood, the United States Department of Justice, on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation, filed a complaint against the district alleging there is no “Project Supply” available for the district and further alleging the district is making “unauthorized diversions” in breach of its contract.”

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KPDRA Announces applications open for 'no irrigation program'

KPDRA Announces applications open for 'no irrigation program'

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (KPDRA) is currently accepting applications for its 2022 No Irrigation Programs to provide financial assistance and/or relief to local farmers and ranchers who normally receive surface water through the Klamath Project. The application deadline is June 15, 2022.

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Water users recap worst year on record at annual meeting, but still hold hope for federal change

Water users recap worst year on record at annual meeting, but still hold hope for federal change

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Tuesday, the Klamath Water Users Association held its annual meeting at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. Several hundred people attended the meeting which included dinner and social hour. The main focus of the event was on current water deliveries, the future of irrigation in the Klamath Basin, and an overall message of hope for basin farmers.

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Klamath Tribes respond to BOR water allocations

Klamath Tribes respond to BOR water allocations

CHILOQUIN, Ore. - Yesterday’s announcement by the Bureau of Reclamation of its 2022 Operations Plan is perhaps the saddest chapter yet in a long history of treaty violations visited upon us by the United States.

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