Preparing For “Historic” Drought In The Klamath Basin
Farm, fish and wildlife at risk.
While no one is using the “D” word yet, officials at the state, federal and local levels are bracing for what could be the worst drought ever in the Klamath Basin.
Governor Kulongoski was in the region this morning for a meeting with area officials about what needs to be done now to prepare.
Senators Wyden and Merkley added to the urgency with a letter to federal officials warning of a “crisis of historic magnitude”, and asking the feds to take immediate action.
Numbers released today the Oregon Water Resources Department paint a bleak picture.
- Snowpack in the Basin is at 71% of average
- The elevation of Upper Klamath Lake is 4,140 feet, the lowest level in 33-years of record keeping. The amount of water stored in the lake is 62% of normal for this time of year – with no relief in sight. The Natural Resources Conservation Service predicts the inflow of water into the Upper Klamath will be about one-third shy of normal from April through September.
- The city of Klamath Falls is already nearly an inch and-a-half short on rainfall, and the year has just barely begun.
In 2002, tens of thousands of salmon died in the Klamath River after the Bush Administration decided to give farmers priority over fish and wildlife. Photo from WaterWatch.
The region is faced with the very real possibility that there simply isn’t enough water in the system for endangered salmon, sucker fish, wildlife refuges, and the farmers who use it for irrigation.
The Wyden-Merkley letter notes that Upper Klamath Lake is already two feet below the minimum required for endangered fish. The letter goes on to say, “There is very little chance Klamath irrigators will receive needed irrigation either on time, or at all.” Kulongoski is asking the feds to be as flexible as possible with the water supply, without placing endangered species in jeopardy.
What Happens Now?
At the state level, the Water Resources Department is getting ready to issue emergency drought permits that allow irrigators to start using groundwater sources such as wells. But drought wells only cover about 20% of farmland in the basin. The permits also allow for emergency transfers of water from one parcel of land to another. The state Agriculture Department is preparing to give farmers and ranchers technical advice.
If a drought is declared, it would have to start with a request from Klamath County officials.
At the federal level, Wyden and Merkley outlined several actions in the letter they say might provide some relief. They are asking the departments of Agriculture, Interior and Commerce to take the following steps, at a minimum.
- Provide money to buy upstream water rights from willing sellers.
- Adjusting surface water management within parameters of the law and sound science.
- Releasing emergency funds for land idling through water banks or other programs.
- Activating emergency drought wells or other means of accessing groundwater.
- Establishing drought assistance for all farmers regardless of crop type.
This year may serve as the first test for the just signed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. While the agreement still needs to be ratified by Congress, environmental groups are watching to see if officials live up to their promises of making sure there’s enough water for salmon and sucker fish.
