As public discussion intensifies over the future of Keno Dam — including proposals for its removal to expand fish passage upstream of the former Lower Klamath River dam sites — the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is reaffirming the dam’s vital role in the region’s water management system.
Located just downstream of the Klamath Irrigation Project diversion works, Keno Dam is essential infrastructure that supports flood control, water deliveries to approximately 100,000 acres of agricultural lands, and critical wildlife habitat for two premier national wildlife refuges. Originally constructed in 1965 following major flood events, Keno Dam replaced the damaged “Needle Dam” to maintain water elevations between Klamath Falls and the town of Keno. Backed by the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement (KPFA), the Bureau of Reclamation is legally obligated to operate Keno Dam to preserve upstream water levels for essential functions such as diversion, canal maintenance, and flood control.
While KWUA supports a transparent, science-based evaluation of fish passage opportunities, it strongly opposes any effort to disregard established legal obligations and operational commitments. With a long history of assurances affirming the permanence of Keno Dam, KWUA is urging policymakers to respect the dam’s legal, historical, and operational context — and to protect the interests of those who rely on its continued function.
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Letter to Klamath-Siskiyou County Boards on Keno (06-11-19)
KWUA Letter to Secretary Burgum re: Keno Dam
