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Reclamation PRESS RELEASE, Klamath Project 2007 Operations
Plan Released; Supplies Expected to Meet all Responsibilities
April 9, 2007, Mid-Pacific Region Sacramento,
CA MP-07-055
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Klamath Project Final
Operation Plan 4/9/07
The Bureau of Reclamation today released its 2007 Operations Plan for the
Klamath Project (Project). The plan is based upon current and expected
hydrologic conditions derived from the April 5, 2007, Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) inflow forecast. It is consistent with the
Biological Opinions issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as the
U.S. District Court ruling CIV. NO CO2-2006 SBA dated March 27, 2006.
The Operations Plan provides an estimate of Project water supply as well as
anticipated lake elevations and river flows for the coming year. It is used
by agricultural water users, Klamath Basin Tribes, national wildlife
refuges, and others as a planning tool. Although the projection is for a
Below Average water year, the Project expects to have a sufficient supply of
water available to meet all Project responsibilities.
“We are pleased to be able to report that the water level in Clear Lake
Reservoir is sufficient to make full deliveries to irrigators. Deliveries
from Gerber Reservoir will also meet agricultural needs this year,” said Mr.
Pablo Arroyave, Area Manager for the Klamath Basin Area Office.
The estimated Project irrigation water supply from Upper Klamath Lake from
April 1 through September 30, 2007, is 400,000 acre-feet based on the
hydrologic conditions on April 1, 2007. This amount could be affected by
weather conditions and other requirements. The NRCS estimated inflow
forecast for Upper Klamath Lake is 360,000 acre-feet from April 1 through
September 30. At this time, the water-year type for both Upper Klamath Lake
and the Klamath River is Below Average. The year-type designations are
determined from specific criteria in the Biological Opinions and are based
upon forecast and actual runoff, which are influenced by precipitation and
temperature. Since inflow varies each month, uncertainty exists about the
final year-type determination, which is made on September 30. Generally,
inflow forecasts after June 1 remain relatively stable for the remainder of
the irrigation season.
As authorized in the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000,
Reclamation has developed access to supplemental water of up to 100,000
acre-feet, if it is required, to meet Project needs. Water that may be
acquired through a recent Water Supply Enhancement Study (WSES) could be
used to supplement Project water supplies if conditions warrant. As in the
past with the water banking program, the WSES water comprises off-stream
storage, land idling, and ground-water pumping.
The Klamath Project 2007 Operations Plan may be viewed at
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao/.
For more information, please contact Mr. Cecil Lesley at 541-880-2546 or
clesley@mp.usbr.gov.
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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest
producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and
facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide
substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits.
Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.
Klamath Water Users Association
2455 Patterson Street, Suite 3
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603
Phone (541) 883-6100
FAX (541) 883-8893
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