To the National Research Council Good Afternoon. I’d like to thank all of you for volunteering your time to sit on this committee. I wish time was not an issue because in order for you to fully understand this irrigation project, a day’s tour is imperative. For example, take Lower Klamath Lake. The committee could stand on the old lake bed and see that Klamath River is 18’ higher in elevation than Lower Klamath Lake. It is interesting that uniformed people have stated that water from Lower Klamath Lake flowed into the Klamath River. Well unless water runs up hill, before 1905 (pre-project) this could not have happened. I do know that since 1905 water does run downhill!! I would like to take you on a tour to stand on Sheepy Ridge and look at Lower Klamath Lake and Tulelake to see how big these shallow lakes were pre-project. What would be important about that? #1. There was no outlet for these lakes so all that water came here to die by evaporation. Now these two lakes are 2/3 smaller because those lands are being farmed. Since growing crops uses less water than open, standing water, there is 200-400 thousand extra acre feet of water in Klamath River just because of this project. #2. You would see two large wildlife refuges that the Klamath Project supports. #3. You would see farmland being flooded with the cooperation of the National Fish & Wildlife service. Farmers are working hand in hand with the Fish & Wildlife service to make better habitats for birds. On this tour, I would take you to see the diversion canal to see how floodwaters are diverted to Klamath River. This canal allows more water to be stored for later use in Upper Klamath Lake. When we were finished with our tour, you would understand why the Klamath Project has a 92% efficiency rating. In my opinion, the most valuable point of your visit would be if the local scientific community would listen to your findings and try to implement them-- unlike the last National Academy of Science recommendations that were mostly ignored. The Klamath Project is not afraid of good peer reviewed science. Our communities have been devastated by models, graphs and fuzzy feelings. However, we want to do our part in solving the watershed problems. Thank you once again for trying to make this country a better place to live. Bob Gasser
Klamath Water Users Association |
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