A good story in the Klamath Falls paper describes how this year’s drought will hurt area farmers and the region’s economy. The expert interviewed in the story says it’s too early to put a dollar figure on how bad things might get. Here’s something I learned – in the decade since the previous drought Klamath Basin farmers have diversified by planting more niche crops. That includes organic potatoes and strawberry starter plants.
See Klamath Falls Herald and News: The economics of drought
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 Water Watch.
A rather disturbing story from the Times-Standard newspaper in Northern California.
Reporter John Driscoll interviewed scientists, including some from OSU, who say there’s so little water in the Klamath River we may see a repeat of 2002 when as many as 60,000 salmon died.
The problem is a tiny parasitic worm that lives in river silt. Driscoll reports that silty river bottoms are spreading across the Klamath River and scientists are finding higher concentrations of worms in those areas. Releasing more water from dams could flush away the silt and help the fish. But with the area facing a historic drought, will there be a enough water in the system to do that?
For the entire story see: Klamath River fish diseases spreading
Tip from the Pacific Fishery Management Council
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.
