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News Release Archive
Reclamation augments Klamath Project water supplies to benefit water users and wildlife refuges
Media Contact:
Mary Lee Knecht, 916-978-5100, mknecht@usbr.gov
For Release: September 04, 2020
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Today, Reclamation announced water supply increases for the benefit of water users and wildlife refuges in the Klamath Project in view of modest improvements in hydrology during the late summer and operational adjustments described below.
“We appreciate the efforts taken by Klamath Project water users that allowed the limited supplies of 2020 to stretch through the summer,” stated Commissioner Brenda Burman. “Managing the second lowest allocation in the history of the Klamath Project was an enormous challenge for both the project and the refuges. I am pleased that Reclamation, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, can make these operational adjustments to close out the agricultural activities as planned and bring additional relief to the wildlife refuges.”
Managing water during extreme drought conditions in the basin has required a series of adjustments in Klamath Project operations since April. Reclamation has continually assessed available supplies in Upper Klamath, Clear Lake and Gerber reservoirs and the needs of the project and wildlife refuges. Based on its most recent assessment, Reclamation is making three adjustments in September to close out the 2020 irrigation season and prepare water supplies for 2021:
For more information on the Klamath Project and its operations, visit https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=470.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.