KLAMATH FALLS, OR – Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Erek H. Fuchs, Ph.D., as Director of Water Resources, effective April 1, 2025.
Dr. Fuchs (pronounced “Fox”) comes to us from southern New Mexico, where he has over 25 years of applied experience in the field of hydrologic sciences.
Dr. Fuchs’s expertise involves water resources management, water rights administration, monitoring and measurement, and advancement of hydrologic science. He was accepted as an expert witness in an original action before the United States Supreme Court (Texas v. New Mexico, Original Action No. 141) and has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading water science journals.
“We are excited to welcome Erek to our team,” said KWUA President Scott Seus. “His expertise, reputation, and passion are broadly recognized throughout the West.”
Dr. Fuchs specializes in quantitative hydrology with interests including connectivity physics and groundwater resilience in conjunctive use irrigated agricultural systems.
He was born in New Mexico and raised on a ranch. He completed his academic degrees in Range and Watershed Science (BS), Range Hydrology (MS), and Water Science and Management (Ph.D.) with an emphasis in Quantitative Hydrology and Agricultural Water Resources at New Mexico State University.
Prior to joining the Elephant Butte Irrigation District in southern New Mexico as the Director of Groundwater Resources in 2011, he spent 12 consecutive years as the Lower Rio Grande Basin Supervisor for the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.
“I come from an area renowned for its water scarcity, and know how precious water is,” Dr. Fuchs observed.
Recently, Dr. Fuchs served very briefly as the District 17 Watermaster with the Oregon Water Resources Department in Klamath Falls.
He is the father of three successful adult children, the eldest of which is an officer and physician in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Fuchs is an avid outdoorsman and hunter and the proud owner of a registered quarter horse.
“I know the importance of generational farming and ranching as the backbone of national, and ultimately global food security. I am very excited about this new chapter in my life and honored to be a part of the KWUA family.”
