Geog Final Paper

Emily Derby Fall 2009 Geog 360 Final Paper The Upper Klamath Basin Watershed Upper Klamath Basin watershed (HUC 1801206) spans an area of approximately 3,800 square miles and includes Upper Klamath Lake, Agency Lake, and the Williamson, Sprague, and Wood River Basins. The Klamath basin is located in south-central Oregon and northwestern California (NRCS). The basin spans north and east from the Iron Gate Dam on the main stem of the Klamath River. This area is

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part of the Great Basin and Range region. It is dominated by the activity of large volcanoes and faulting. Volcanic activity controls the physiography and shape of the many broad valleys. These valleys contain all of the natural lakes and large wetlands of the Klamath Basin. This area has a relatively dry, high desert climate with little rainfall (Hydrology, Ecology, and Fishes). (Image: nrcs.usda.gov). In Oregon, the basin occupies portions of Jackson, Lake, and Klamath counties. In California, it flows through the counties of Siskiyou (USGS). The mean annual stream flow for the Klamath River at Keno, Oregon varies from as little as 558 Cubic feet per second in the dry summer months and the cold winter months, to as much as 1740 cubic feet per second in the rainy spring and fall months and

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Into the winter rain season. Peak flow usually occurs in QuickTimeª and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture.

the spring when snowmelt and rain runoff are at there highest. There is a vast difference in stream flow during the draught months

of the mid summer in comparison to the wetter spring and winter months of January, February, March, April, and May (USGS). Although natural flooding occurs in the basin in the wet months, no large floods have occurred in the basin in recent years (EPA). (Hydrograph: waterdata.usgs.gov) In recent years inadequate water supply has lead to issues regarding the uses of the Klamath River Waters. The upper Klamath River receives much of its water supply from snow melt and mountain runoff, during drought years the amount of water input into the basin is not enough to supply the needs and many uses of the watershed. Waters diverted from the Klamath River every year irrigate approximately 200,000 acres of farmland. Land development consumption also uses a large portion of the Klamath River water. On top of the high farmland and land development consumption the water is used domestically in the urban areas surrounding the basin (EPA). The draught of 2001 caused a firestorm of local dispute protest, and government action in the Klamath Basin after the needs of many were not met due to water shortage. Klamath Basin resident farmers, ranchers, fishermen, miners, loggers, Native Americans,

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and Klamath wildlife were shortchanged when the normal snowmelt and mountain rain runoff did not provide enough water to supply all the designated uses. Irrigation water was shut off for the water users and retained for endangered fish species. National news, media covered the debacle, and politicians visited the Klamath basin to discuss what could be done. Agricultural organizations and farmers protested until, water was released and they were allowed to irrigate there crops and livestock once again. Thousands of Salmon died in their migration to spawn. All parties involved suffered and still suffer from the crisis. Actions to avoid another instance, which may create a debacle such as this, are being discussed, but little change has taken place thus far (Blanton). A large portion of the upper basin is used for agriculture and rangeland. Among the other uses are irrigation, wildlife refuge, hydroelectric QuickTim eª anda TIFF (Uncom pressed) decom pressor areneededtoseethis picture.

power and recreation. (Image: nrcs.usda.gov). The demand for water in the upper Klamath Basin has increased in

recent years because of the growing demand of water for aquatic wildlife and other instream uses as well as agricultural needs. Managing existing water supplies to satisfy all uses is difficult, especially in dry years. Some government organizations are looking into supplying water through other means, possibly groundwater. Unfortunately little is known about groundwater supply in the Upper Klamath Basin (USGS).

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The basic water quality parameters for the Upper Klamath River Basin include, Dissolved Oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity/salinity, pH, and turbidity (Oregon.gov). When a stream or watershed qualifies as impaired, or contains contaminants

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deemed unsafe for the water system, it is put on the 303 d list (Blanton). The upper Klamath Basin has many 303d listings including, Temperature, PH, DO, chlorophyll, fecal chloroform, ammonia, and nutrients (EPA). (Image: taken from lecture). In comparison with other rivers in Oregon the Upper Klamath River has a sizeable temperature problem. Other rivers in both Oregon and California have many other problems including high contaminant levels and oxygen depletion problems, however the Upper Klamath River basin’s most prominent problem seems to be temperature. Although this problem may seem “weak” compared to arsenic or mercury contamination, temperature issues are very harmful to a watershed (EPA). Aquatic ecosystems are jeopardized and habitat is destroyed if water temperature is at unsatisfactory levels. Possible causes of water temperature and other contaminant problems in the Klamath River include the effects of land development, agriculture, rangeland, dams, and also the physiography of the basin, because the watershed includes shallow lakes, and marshland the water temperature has the ability to increase faster than it would if the water bodies

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were deep. Water temperature and chemical standards may have been bypassed by agricultural business, because it is such an economical staple for the residents of the basin. It is also difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of temperature issues, as there may be many. Designated beneficial uses of the Upper Klamath Basin Watershed, for the states of Oregon and California include: Domestic water supply, Agriculture, fishing, industrial water supply, boating, irrigation, water contact recreation, livestock watering, aesthetic quality, fish and aquatic life, hydropower, wildlife and hunting, commercial navigation and transportation as well as maintaining healthy environment for fish and other wildlife that dwell in and around the basin. Many of the designated beneficial uses of the river are affected substantially by the water quality, especially the fish and wildlife (Oregon.gov). Some beneficial uses clash with others, for example Agriculture and maintaining healthy fish and wildlife habitat. When rainfall exceeds the infiltration capacity in the basin sediments and contaminants from farms and ranches flow freely into the river, especially if riparian zones have been destroyed. This increases habitat loss as well as poisoning fish and other aquatic life and making it hard or impossible to reproduce or spawn. The upper Klamath basin occupies Siskiyou County with a population of 36,756,666, Klamath County population 3,790,060 and Jackson county population 3,790,060. The watershed is primarily rural, however it encompasses many small towns and a few larger cities. The largest town in the basin is Klamath Falls, Oregon, which has a total metropolitan population of about 42,000. The economy of the upper Klamath basin, which is home to approximately 120,000 people (NRCS), is heavily dependent upon agriculture, the forest-products industry, tourism, and public employment

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(Hydrology, Ecology, and Fishes). Because the population depends so heavily economically on agriculture in the basin the needs of farmers and ranchers are often met before the environmental impacts of the agricultural business are evaluated. Pollutants sediments, and water diversion for agricultural business are major factors in the pollution and temperature problems in the basin. Although the Klamath basin has not experienced alarming population or industry growth hydrologic changes from land use are vast. These changes affect flow, channel form, sediment, and habitat. Uses and changes include, change in runoff from timber harvest, changes in vegetation from land use, diversions and storage (dams) for agriculture and hydroelectric production cutting or damming off formerly flooded lands, and historical flood overflow into Lower Klamath Lake. Other changes of the land and riparian ecosystems can be attributed to hard rock and placer mining, using the river to float logs downstream to sawmills, splash dams which release large volumes of water to carry logs downstream, and blasting rock outcrops in the bed of the river to improve log passage for timber harvest (Hydrology, Ecology and Fishes). Changes in habitat due to land use can be detrimental to the stream ecology and can result in species loss and extinction. Among the species that have been affected by land use, pollution and habitat loss are the Lost River sucker and Shortnose sucker both are lake-dwelling fish that migrate into streams to spawn. These species have suffered from a combination of over harvesting, pollution, and habitat loss. Changes to sucker habitat in the Klamath River include filled marshes, dammed streams, and diverted water supplies, excess sediments disturbed by activities such as logging, farming, land developement, and cattle grazing.

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Vegetation removal from streamside eliminates protection from the sun's heat causing temperature increase and reduces protection from predators. Chemicals from forestry and farming also may flow into waters occupied by this species (FWS). Bull Trout are another fish species affected by environment and habitat change in the Upper Klamath basin. Bull Trout require cold water temperature clean streams and require intricate habitats, including streams with riffles and deep pools, lots of shade which should be provided by undercut banks and large logs, they also need connection from main river, and lake habitats to headwater streams for annual migration and spawning. Depletion of these resources in the upper Klamath basin has resulted in their classification under threatened species in the Oregon region (FWS). Depletion of habitat in the Klamath basin is not a problem only felt by fish. The Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is a marsh that forms the headwaters of the Klamath River. The ecosystem supports a many different species, including the bull trout, bald eagle, marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl, Aleutian Canada goose, snowy plover, endangered suckerfish, and a number of endangered coastal dune plants. Cattle grazing, timber harvest, hydropower development, irrigation diversions, urbanization, mining, and commercial fishing have impacted the wildlife refuge (FWS). Although this valuable land was deemed a “national wildlife refuge,” key elements that make this refuge a safe harbor for animals and plants alike have been depleted in recent years. In the water crisis of 2001 the marshlands of the refuge were completely dried, species of plants and animals were obliterated. Even today, while the refuge protects plants and animals from becoming game or display, the ecosystem is greatly impacted because the agricultural business in surrounding areas.

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There are six dams in the upper Klamath basin, all of them are downstream from Upper Klamath Lake, five are owned by PacifiCorp and generate power. In order, upstream down, the first dam is Link River, followed by Keno, J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate. Link River Dam is used for irrigation purposes and for controlling lake levels in Upper Klamath Lake. All dams except for Keno generate power. The Klamath River below J.C. Boyle Dam experiences daily fluctuations to meet peak demand periods to generate as much power as possible flows above J.C. Boyle Dam change more naturally (Hydrology, Ecology, and Fishes). The dams block access of fish to their upstream spawning habitat, they also destroy riparian habitat, cause sediment build up, and decrease the frequency of healthy floods. “All of the dams’ in the Upper Klamath Basin have been proposed for removal as a potential option for natural habitat restoration.” (Hydrology, Ecology and Fishes). Many different factors, including changes to the basin water supply, dams, contaminants, logging, new development, and agricultural business have contributed to the decline in health of the Klamath Basin watershed. Natural environmental changes, including drought and water temperature have also affected the health of the watershed. Although many steps are being taken to restore natural habitat, such as riparian restoration, dam removal, and increase of water supply through groundwater access, are helpful and will eventually be beneficial. Bureaucratic processes take long amounts of time to be approved and implemented and the environment and ecosystem of the Upper Klamath Basin needs immediate restoration. There are also still disputes of water rights and Agricultural business versus environmental awareness. The problems of the Upper Klamath basin run deep and involve cultural norms and practices that have been the way

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of life since Native Americans and farmers settled the land in order to improve the environmental health of the basin, more than public policy needs to change. Entire demographics including farmers, fisherman, loggers power companies and land developers, need to have a broader perspective and understand the basins environmental needs fully.

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Work Cited Blanton, Paul. "Klamath Water Crisis." Eugene Or. Nov. 2009. Lecture. "Klamath River Basin Ecosystem, Endangered Species; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. . "Klamath Data and Information | NRCS." Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web. 04 Nov. 2009. . National research council. Hydrology, Ecology, and Fishes of the Klamath River Basin. National Academic, 2008. Print. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. . "State of Oregon: DEQ Water Quality." Oregon.gov Home Page. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. . "Upper Klamath Watershed -- 18010206 | Surf Your Watershed | US EPA." U.S. EPA ColdFusion Server. Web. 06 Dec. 2009. . "USGS Real-Time Water Data for the Nation." USGS Water Data for the Nation. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. . "USGS Real-Time Water Data for USGS 11509500 KLAMATH RIVER AT KENO, OR." USGS Water Data for the Nation. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. .

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