Klamath Reclamation Project irrigators in Oregon, California to receive about one-seventh of usual water
4/12/2022 1:59:02 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Society & Public Health
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Modoc County, CA
Siskiyou County, CA
Klamath County, OR
Start Date: 4/11/2022
- End Date: 12/31/2022
The 1,000+ farmers and ranchers getting water from the Klamath Reclamation Project will get about one-seventh the normal amount this year amid a historic drought. The water will begin to flow on April 15. Irrigators were shocked and angry, wondering if they could survive another year of meager water supplies. Salmon downstream will get about half of the usual amount of water if the reservoir was full.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced $15 million in relief for affected farmers and $5 million for Native American tribes as a result of its decision and warned farmers not to take water beyond what was ordered or risk further irrigation reductions and legal action. Inflow to the Upper Klamath Lake is at a record low, and water allocations could be reduced if drought conditions worsen this summer.
Increased groundwater pumping since late summer 2021 has resulted in hundreds of domestic wells running dry.
Associated Press News (New York), April 11, 2022
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