Moving into The 2026 Water Year
As we enter the 2026 irrigation season, and you continue to refine your on-farm plan activities for the year, we want to reach out regarding irrigation water supplies for 2026.
As you are deeply aware, 2026 looks far different than 2025. We are experiencing a snow drought, with the watershed’s snowpack sitting at 4% percent of the median as of March 31. This has and will continue to result in inflows to Upper Klamath Lake (UKL), being far below normal.[1] We are also experiencing unseasonably early spring-like conditions. These realities point to a challenging water year ahead.
At the end of February, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) released its 2026 Annual Operations Plan for the Klamath Project. The Plan did not identify specific quantities for 2026 irrigation water deliveries. Rather, it outlined how water will be managed during the 2026 water year and established the operation framework for irrigation deliveries, Upper Klamath Lake elevations, and Klamath River Flows under the Proposed Action and Biological Opinions that were adopted in 2024. Given current hydrologic conditions and the meager snowpack, our analysis indicates that water available to Klamath Project irrigators will be less than full delivery or demand. We expect a more specific announcement from Reclamation very soon. We know this is not welcome news. We share your concern and we wish it was different. This will be yet another year when you, your family, and other farmers and ranchers will be required to make tough decisions to ensure the survival, rather than the prosperity, of generational family operations.
Our priority for the 2026 water year is to coordinate closely with Reclamation to maximize deliveries to the greatest extent possible while remaining in compliance with current federal law and policy. At the same time, we are committed to helping you navigate what is ahead with transparent and timely information from KWUA, your districts, and Reclamation.
This year, a Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (KPDRA) program will be in place. The KPDRA Board has been working closely with KWUA and Reclamation to secure the resources and funding available for a 2026 program. Our initial assessment is that up to 40,000 acres may need to remain unirrigated in 2026 to ensure water is available for crops in September and October. Additional details, including KPDRA participation opportunities, will be announced shortly. If you are unsure if you are signed up to receive KPDRA notifications, please contact (541) 630-0752 or info@klamathwaterbank.com.
While we manage the immediate challenges of the 2026 water year, we are also fully engaged in bringing about meaningful change in the way that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is applied to the Klamath Project. Driven by legal developments and legislation, in early 2026, Reclamation completed a reassessment of how the ESA applies to the Klamath Project. This has set the stage for a significantly improved approach to ESA compliance, an approach that is consistent with the process applied in other areas.
Now that this step is complete, Reclamation has initiated an ESA reconsultation, which is expected to be completed ahead of the 2027 irrigation season. KWUA and your irrigation districts are actively engaged to fully represent your water rights and your operational needs. Together, our goal is to achieve durable, more reliable and predictable water availability, reduce ongoing legal disputes, and support the balanced management of agriculture, wildlife refuges, wildlife and fisheries, and the rural communities you call home.
While we wish that these reforms could be implemented immediately, we realize that it is necessary for Reclamation to follow applicable legal processes and proceed deliberately, in order to have a durable and defensible product. We are committed to working with Reclamation as it completes the process expeditiously.
With a challenging 2026 water year ahead and significant work underway for the future, it is more important than ever that we move forward together as a community. We are a strong community, and we are a united community. That unity will be especially important in the year ahead as we face difficult conditions together. KWUA and your irrigation districts are working in close coordination to advocate on your behalf, provide timely updates, and ensure you have access to the best available information and resources as the year continues. We are committed to keeping you informed and supported every step of the way.
[1] When UKL should be filling from snowmelt, it is flatlining as we approach the irrigation season. UKL surface elevation for March 24 through March 30 has ranged between 4142.52 and 4142.53.
KWUA to Host ANNUAL MEETING ~ RSVP NOW AT KWUA.ORG
The Klamath Water Users Association will host its 2026 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Linman Hall at the Klamath County Fairgrounds, bringing together members, partners, and community stakeholders from across the Klamath Basin.
This year’s meeting will feature keynote speaker Dustin Sherer, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Based in Washington, D.C., Sherer works on water policy, infrastructure, and funding efforts across the West.
Sherer is expected to share insights into the administration’s approach to water policy and discuss upcoming priorities, offering attendees a direct perspective from federal leadership closely involved in the agencies and programs that impact the Klamath Project. His participation highlights the growing attention to Klamath Basin issues at the national level and reflects ongoing engagement between KWUA and decision-makers in Washington, D.C.
During the meeting, KWUA leadership will provide updates on the past year’s accomplishments, outline key priorities moving forward, and discuss the outlook for the 2026 water year. With below-average snowpack contributing to a challenging start to the irrigation season, the Association continues to advocate for practical solutions that support agricultural communities.
Attendees will also receive information on Drought Response Agency programs available for 2026, helping irrigators better understand available tools and resources as they plan for the season ahead.
The evening will include recognition of local students Anna Kliewer and Dylan Orr, who were recently elected as Oregon FFA State President and State Treasurer. Their achievements reflect the strong leadership emerging from the Klamath Basin.
The event will begin with a no-host social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a sponsored dinner at 6:00 p.m. The annual meeting program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Linman Hall, Klamath County Fairgrounds, Klamath Falls, Oregon
Annual Report: A Year of Progress. A Future Taking Shape.
The Klamath Water Users Association has published its 2025 Annual Report, which captures a year defined by progress, persistence, and forward momentum in the Basin.
From a successful water year that brought renewed confidence to farms and ranches, to meaningful advancements in federal policy and Endangered Species Act implementation. 2025 was a pivotal year. The report highlights the work being done not just to respond to challenges and opportunities—but to shape long-term solutions.
Inside, readers will find insights on key efforts like Tule Lake Flow-Through, a basin-wide approach designed to improve water quality, strengthen agriculture, and support wildlife all at once. It also outlines major advocacy work at both the state and federal levels, where KWUA continues to ensure the voices of irrigators and rural communities are heard.
The report also reflects on leadership transitions, honors the legacy of long-time advocates, and shares perspectives from partners across the West who are working alongside KWUA to secure a more stable future for irrigated agriculture.
More than a look back, this year’s report is a roadmap—demonstrating that stability, collaboration, and progress in the Basin are not only possible, but already underway.
The full 2025 Annual Report will be available at the KWUA Annual Meeting and our website on April 7.
District Meetings
- Tulelake Irrigation District’s Monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held on April 13, at 8 pm at the TID office.
- KWUA’s Monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held on April 15, at 2 pm at the KWUA office.
- Klamath Irrigation District’s Monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held on May 14, at 1 pm at the KID office.
- Klamath Drainage District’s Monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held on April 16, at 1 pm at the KDD office.
KWUA Continues Advocacy for Klamath Basin Priorities in Washington, D.C.
In early March, KWUA board members, staff, and Siskiyou County Supervisor Michael Kobseff traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet directly with policymakers and federal leaders about the challenges and opportunities facing the Klamath Project.
This marked the third trip to Washington, D.C. since April 2025, and our message remains clear and consistent: the Basin needs reliable, durable water solutions to support agriculture, wildlife refuges, fisheries, and rural communities. With so much at stake, and significant developments under the current Administration, it is critical that we continue building relationships and making progress with federal leaders. Over three days in March 2026, we met with members of Congress, committee staff, and key federal agencies to advance practical, solution-driven priorities for the region.
Key Priorities Advanced in Washington, D.C.
- Advancing ESA Reassessment and Reconsultation: A major focus was the need to complete ESA re-consultation for the Klamath Project in a timely, legally sound, and durable manner. In early 2026, Reclamation completed a reassessment of how the ESA applies to the Project, setting the stage for an approach consistent with other western federal water projects. Reconsultation is expected to be completed ahead of the 2027 irrigation season, and we expressed our commitment to achieving these goals expeditiously.
- Advancing the Tule Lake Flow-Through Approach: We highlighted the Tule Lake Flow-Through approach as a forward-looking solution gaining momentum. By allowing water to move through farms, wetlands, and the broader system, this approach supports agriculture, improves water quality, enhances fish and wildlife habitat, and strengthens overall Basin resilience.
- Advancing Legislation to Strengthen Local Voice in ESA Decisions: We encouraged Congressional leaders and staff to support legislation ensuring Klamath Project irrigators and other federal water users have a meaningful role in ESA consultations. This proposal would increase transparency, input, and engagement in decisions that directly affect water deliveries.
During the trip, KWUA met with leadership and staff from:
- Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including Andrea Travnicek (Assistant Secretary, DOI), Scott Cameron (Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation), and Tim Petty (Assistant Secretary of Commerce, overseeing NMFS)
- Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and House Natural Resources Committee
- Offices of Senators Merkley, Wyden, Schiff, and Padilla
- Representative Cliff Bentz and the Office of the Speaker of the House
These meetings provided an important opportunity to share updates from the Basin, strengthen relationships, and ensure Klamath Project priorities remain front and center in Washington, D.C.
By engaging directly with policymakers and agency leaders, KWUA is helping shape practical, balanced solutions grounded in real-world conditions. These conversations are critical to ensuring a successful future for the entire Klamath Basin.
The Ferguson Group Federal Report
KWUA Takes Its Case to the Nation’s Capital
Led by KWUA President Scott Seus, Vice President Mike McKoen, several KWUA Board members, Executive Director Elizabeth Nielsen, and Siskiyou County Commissioner Michael Kobseff, spent three days in Washington in early March meeting with senior Administration officials and key members of the California and Oregon congressional delegations.
The delegation focused on several critical issues: the need for federal agencies to complete ESA reconsultation for the Klamath Project based on modern science; legislation ensuring meaningful contractor participation in ESA consultations; continued support for the Tule Lake Flow-Through; and improving transparency in ESA consultation processes.
Administration meetings included Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek and Acting Reclamation Commissioner Scott Cameron at the Department of the Interior, as well as Dr. Tim Petty, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, who oversees the National Marine Fisheries Service. On Capitol Hill, KWUA met with senior Speaker Johnson advisor Bill Ball, Rep. Cliff Bentz, Senator Jeff Merkley, staff from the offices of Senators Padilla and Wyden, and key professional staff from House and Senate natural resources committees.
FY 2027 Appropriations Process Underway
The federal budget process for FY 2027 is now underway, with Members of Congress finalizing community project funding requests and subcommittee hearings on the budget getting started. The Trump Administration is set to release its FY 2027 budget request on April 3, with OMB Director Russell Vought scheduled to testify before Congress on April 15. KWUA is actively engaged to ensure that funding priorities critical to Klamath Project water users are reflected in the outcome.
Bipartisan Movement on ESA Reform
There is notable movement on ESA reform in Congress, though the path forward remains complicated. The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife recently held a hearing that struck an unusually bipartisan tone, with members from both parties expressing openness to reforms including modernizing Fish and Wildlife Service operations, expanding flexibility for private landowners, and strengthening state collaboration.
One issue of particular relevance to Klamath water users is the “blanket 4(d) rule,” which currently extends the same protections given to endangered species to threatened species. The Trump Administration is considering a proposed rule that would replace this with tailored, species-specific protection plans that could ease restrictions as populations recover, a position supported by both the Administration and several hearing witnesses.
Challenges remain, however. A former Fish and Wildlife Service official testified that the agency had already been stretched thin before losing roughly a quarter of its staff, raising questions about implementation capacity. In the House, a sweeping 58-page ESA overhaul passed committee largely along party lines and has drawn sharp Democratic opposition, with the timing of a floor vote still uncertain.
Western Caucus Elects New Chair
Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) has been unanimously elected chair of the Congressional Western Caucus following the passing of longtime leader Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA). A water and land policy expert and former caucus executive vice chair, Maloy has committed to continuing LaMalfa’s focus on federal land use, water rights, energy, agriculture, and regulatory reform.
Interior NEPA Rule Revisions Under White House Review
The White House Office of Management and Budget has begun reviewing the Interior Department’s draft final rule modifying DOI’s formal NEPA procedures, part of the Administration’s effort to expedite approvals for water, energy, and infrastructure projects. Environmental groups have signaled plans to sue, arguing the changes weaken public input and environmental protections. KWUA will continue to monitor these developments and advocate for outcomes that support reliable water delivery for Klamath Project contractors.
Klamath Project Drought Response Agency: What to Expect in 2026
The KPDRA is entering 2026 following a notably different year than 2025, one that did not require a drought assistance program.
However, with snowpack sitting at approximately 4% of median at the end of March, and the resulting reduced inflows to Upper Klamath Lake, 2026 will require a drought response program for the Klamath Project.
Initial estimates indicate that approximately 40,000 acres will need to remain unirrigated to ensure water is available for crops in September and October. Fortunately, funding is available to support a program of this scale.
In addition to the 2026 program, KPDRA is planning for longer-term strategies supported by federal funding. These include multi-year demand reduction programs and incentives for modified agricultural practices aimed at improving water efficiency while maintaining productivity and preserving soil integrity for future crops.
This shift reflects a broader transition in drought response, moving from short-term, year-by-year assistance toward more durable and flexible approaches that better support both agriculture and long-term water management in the Basin.
KPDRA President Marc Staunton will be speaking at the 2026 KWUA Annual Meeting, providing an update on upcoming programs, including details on the 2026 KPDRA program. Attendees are encouraged to participate to learn more.
KPDRA will also hold its next meeting on April 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the KWUA boardroom, located at 2312 S. 6th St., Suite A, Klamath Falls, OR.
If you are unsure whether you are signed up to receive DRA notifications, please contact
(541) 630-0752 or info@klamathwaterbank.com
PacifiCorp Wildfire Recovery Rate Case Would Impact Northern California Agriculture
A recent filing by PacifiCorp with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would have significant implications for customers across Northern California, particularly in the agricultural community, if approved.
PacifiCorp is seeking to recover approximately $350.5 million in wildfire-related costs tied to the 2020 Slater Fire and the 2022 McKinney Fire. The request could result in an estimated 19% increase in electricity rates within its California service area.
Recognizing the potential burden on farmers and ranchers, last week KWUA filed a motion for party status in the case, which was approved on Monday, March 30.
This marks the beginning of future efforts by KWUA to represent its members in Northern California on this matter.
In addition, we are tracking PacifiCorp’s potential actions to pursue an additional
KWUA Welcomes New Board Members
Ryan (Ry) Kliewer has been appointed to Position #9, representing the Klamath Basin Improvement District. Ry is a local farmer and co-owner of Skyline Brewery, bringing both agricultural and business perspectives to the board. KWUA looks forward to his contributions in this role.
Shane McDonald will be serving as an alternate in the At-Large Position #10. Shane currently serves as the Langell Valley Irrigation District Manager and also assists with duties at the Enterprise Irrigation District, offering valuable experience and insight from the Upper East Side of the Basin.