In the Flow
District news & updates
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Ty Kliewer and Fred Simon take their oath of office on 12 January 2023. |
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Welcome Director Fred Simon |
Director's Fred Simon and Ty Kliewer were sworn into their positions on 12 January 2023. Both Directors were elected into a 3-year term by the people served by the District.
Patron's who wish to vote in future elections must be registered with the District. This registration is different than being registered for the County, State, and Federal Elections. This process can be more complicated; for this reason, the District encourages early registration.
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Director Positions for 2023 |
President - Dave Hamel - Zone 4
Vice President - Rodney Cheyne - Zone 2
Ty Kliewer - Zone 1
Grant Knoll - Zone 3
Fred Simon - Zone 5
Gene Souza - Secretary
Nathan Rietmann - Legal Counsel
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District Representatives
Klamath Water Users Association
- Rodney Cheyne / Dave Hamel
Klamath Adjudication Joint Prosecution Agreement
Oregon Water Resources Congress
Drought Response Agency
- Fred Simon and Marcy Anderson
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Upper Klamath Lake is not filling and all projections are for that condition to persist well into 2023. Three years of conflict, controversy, and hardship in the Klamath Basin have demonstrated that, in the wake of the current ongoing drought, simply continuing the present rate of releases out of Upper Klamath Lake is the worst possible outcome for fish, wildlife, and humans alike. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has conceded as much with its recent initiation of the meet-and-confer process under the Interim Operations Plan.
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Not only is Upper Klamath Lake not filling, nor is the Tule Lake Wildlife Refuge, the Lower Klamath Lake Refuge, Spring Lake, Tingley Lake, nor the other natural water bodies in the Klamath Valley.
Recent communications from Reclamation indicate their understanding that the Interim Operations Plan is entering its fourth year of failure.
In late December, Reclamation suggested reducing out-flows from Upper Klamath Lake by up to 40% to address record setting low inflows into Upper Klamath Lake. Before Christmas, the Williamson River set over 26 days of record-low inflows to the lake since 1 October 2022. Reducing out-flows from UKL would benefit all stakeholders.
Reclamation's plan has been heavily criticized by the Yurok Tribe. To date, Reclamation has not yet implemented its plan.
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Inflows to Upper Klamath Lake were performing at record lows before the most recent rain events. The Williamson River is currently performing under 50% of average and dropping. The Williamson River watershed soil moisture content was at 87%, thus the soils are still absorbing precipitation and reducing flows. Compounded over the past 3 years, Klamath Falls is over 19" below average precipitation. Upper Klamath Lake is at least 6" below average elevation due to unnaturally high outflows of water from the Klamath Basin above Keno. Click here to see the latest update from Reclamation.
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January 2023
Wow! At last count, we had over 50 new subscribers this month! Welcome to you all. Last month's edition of Friends of Klamath Basin Birding's monthly newsletter again prompted several thoughtful responses and discussions. Please keep them coming. ...
Read more
shoutout.wix.com
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Proposal would reduce Klamath River flows to fill Upper...
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The federal government is proposing to reduce flows in the Klamath River by as much as 40% until April to meet minimum water levels for endangered sucker fish in Upper Klamath Lake amid ongoing drought.
Read more
www.capitalpress.com
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Tribes Decry Klamath Water Proposal
The Karuk and Yurok tribes issued a warning this morning that a Bureau of Reclamation proposal to reduce flows on the Klamath River could kill off an entire salmon run in advance of a historic dam removal and restoration effort aimed at saving...
Read more
www.northcoastjournal.com
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"After Thomas Hardy’s Flow Studies were published, Phase I in 1999 and Phase II in 2006 notable scientific voices including the National Research council / National Academy of Sciences (NRC) voiced criticism not about Hardy’s potential conflicts of interest but about the theories he proposed using to regulate water on the Klamath River main stem.
They stated in their 2002 interim report that they “did not find clear scientific evidence or technical support for increased minimum flows in the Klamath River mainstem.”
The story concludes with a very relevant question.
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The Lost River sucker, known locally as mullet, is one of the larger members of the sucker family. | Image Details
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Updated Upper Klamath Lake Endangered Species Study Published |
The paper analyzed the relationship between Upper Klamath Lake level and water quality on annual survival of adult populations of shortnose (Koptu) and both lake-spawning and river-spawning Lost River suckers (C'waam), all federal listed as endangered. Results from analysis of 22-years of data indicate Upper Klamath Lake adult sucker survival was not correlated with annual variation in water quality or lake surface elevation. A brief synopsis of the paper is available here
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Partnership with Farmers Conservation Alliance Update |
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The staff of Farmers Conservation Alliance, Klamath Irrigation District, and SHN Engineering have been coordinating the upcoming Watershed analysis and system improvement plans.
We conducted a number of site surveys to give our partners a good representation of the condition of the District infrastructure.
Unfortunately, our application for the America the Beautiful grant for the A Canal was not approved. Our work with Farmers Conservation Alliance is exploring alternative funding opportunities to address this issue for our community.
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Klamath Irrigation District
has the following 3 full-time positions available:
Two (2) Relief Ditch Rider/Maintenance
Assistant Operations / Safety Officer
Open until filled.
Applications and job description are available on
LinkedIn & at the KID office
6640 KID Lane, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
M-F 8am-4:30pm 541-882-6661
KID is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Free webinar on college financial aid —Designed for families who work in ag & natural resources
January 19 - virtual via Zoom
Are you looking for ways your children can afford a college or trade school education? The College Place Oregon, in conjunction with the Oregon Association of Nurseries and OWRC, is offering a FREE webinar on college financial aid.
Significant changes to the federal financial aid programs are on the horizon, and will affect natural resource families. Jenn Satalino of The College Place Oregon is an expert in the financial aid field with over 30 years of experience. As a service to OWRC members and other natural resources organizations, she will provide information, insight, perspectives and answers to help make sense of the forthcoming changes.
The College Place Oregon provides FREE support, resources, information and encouragement to help Oregonians achieve their education goals.
Advance registration is required. The registration form includes the opportunity to ask questions in advance, and members are encouraged to do so. The webinar is open to OWRC members (and their spouses) but you must register in advance to receive the virtual webinar link. For more information about the webinar, contact Jenn Satalino at jsatalino@ecmc.org.
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Political Issues effecting the District |
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Congressman LaMalfa Introduces the 'Protect Our Water...
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R - Richvale) introduced H.R. 289, the Protect Our Water Rights (POWR) Act. This bill will give certainty to agriculture producers and irrigators during dry years and hold the Bureau of...
Read more
lamalfa.house.gov
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Administration Appointees, Conference Keynote Speakers...
The new Chairman of the House Water, Oceans and Wildlife (WOW) Subcommittee, three high-level appointees with the Biden Administration, and the former general manager of Westlands Water District have all confirmed their participation in the...
Read more
mailchi.mp
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EPA and Corps Issue New "WOTUS"...
On December 30, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) ("the agencies") announced a final rule establishing their version of a more "durable" definition of "waters of the United States"...
Read more
mailchi.mp
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Decades after lobbying for Oregon Farm Bureau, Greg...
One of Greg Addington's first jobs out of college involved driving around the state talking with farmers and ranchers on behalf of the Oregon Farm Bureau. Now, nearly 30 years later, he's returned to lead it. In November, Addington, 53, began his ...
Read more
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
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Water expert: How to evaluate water risk factors
Farmers in the West are facing increased water-related risks as the demand for water increases and the supply is variable or decreasing, according to water expert Darren Fillmore. Fillmore is the agricultural water resource director at WestWater...
Read more
www.capitalpress.com
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Farm Bureau believes WOTUS update defies logic and advice
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Despite some hard-won concessions, the American Farm Bureau Federation's attempt to influence federal Clean Water Act policy haven't produced the desired result. Over the past year, the organization has tried to temper the ...
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www.capitalpress.com
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Pacific Power rates jump 14.8% with new year
Oregon customers of Pacific Power are now paying an average of 14.8% more for electricity. In a press release last week, the Oregon Public Utility Commission said it had finalized rate increases effective Jan. 1 for PacifiCorp, doing business as...
Read more
www.capitalpress.com
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EPA Issues Legal Guidance On Cumulative Impacts - Law360
By Juan Carlos Rodriguez (January 11, 2023, 7:12 PM EST) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday released its first-ever legal guidance that addresses the famously tricky issue of how the cumulative impacts of pollution on a...
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www.law360.com
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DOI Eyes Water Rights As Navajo Case Heads To High Court ...
President Joe Biden's administration is touting progress Congress made advancing settlements of Native water rights claims during the first two years of his presidency, pointing to a Colorado River resiliency act he signed Thursday as the U.S....
Read more
www.law360.com
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EPA Opens Door For $100M In Environmental Justice Grants ...
By Juan Carlos Rodriguez (January 10, 2023, 6:27 PM EST) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday fired the starting gun for communities around the U.S. that want to get a piece of $100 million in environmental justice grants that...
Read more
www.law360.com
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Calif. Water District Says Court Should Dismiss Tribe's...
California's largest agricultural water district on Wednesday urged a California federal judge to toss a Native American tribe's suit accusing the federal government of violating its tribal sovereignty and fishing rights, saying the Hoopa Valley...
Read more
www.law360.com
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Other News Stories Around the Klamath Basin |
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Klamath Tribes Get Control Of Termination Era Tribal...
By Ali Sullivan (January 5, 2023, 6:39 PM EST) -- Native American tribes in Oregon and California will have access to money held in federal trust for decades after President Joe Biden signed legislation repealing a termination era policy...
Read more
www.law360.com
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Klamath Basin's Top 10 stories of 2022
The Klamath Basin has been plagued by drought and a lack of water for years. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the ongoing water issues and the impending removal of four dams on the Klamath River were named the top stories of 2022 in...
Read more
www.heraldandnews.com
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Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $200,000 Coming to Oregon ...
Van Brimmer Ditch Company: $100,000 for the Van Brimmer Falvey Road Piping Project, which will convert 1,000 feet of an open canal to pipe and will benefit the water supply by eliminating the subterranean seepage, water lost in charging the...
Read more
www.wyden.senate.gov
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Employment opportunities shared by our neighbors |
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South Suburban Sanitary District - Finance Director
Posted: 12/30/2022 Salary: $75,000 - $98,000 DOE Location: Klamath Falls, OR Application deadline: Open until filled Description: Under the general supervision of the District Manager, the Finance Director is responsible for all areas related to...
Read more
www.sdao.com
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The Dalles Irrigation District - Field Operations Supervisor
Opening Date: September 12, 2022
Closing Date: Open until filled
Salary and Benefits:
Wage range: $28.00-$38.00/Hour DOE
Benefits: Fully paid medical, dental and vision insurance. Paid vacation and holidays. Retirement plan.
Submit by email or postal service to:
Attn: Weslee Cyphers
The Dalles Irrigation District, Field Operations Supervisor Hiring Process
3503 Olney Road
The Dalles, OR 97058
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CURRENT OPENING: General Manager - North of the River...
North of the River Recreation and Park District is seeking a General Manager. The General Manager is the chief administrator of all District activities and the delegated representative of the Board of Directors and, in that capacity, is...
Read more
www.cpshr.us
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The mission of Klamath Irrigation District is to acquire, maintain, assure, and deliver an adequate water supply for beneficial use on qualified land with the Klamath Project. We represent our Patrons before government agencies, the legislature, Congress, and in such forms as appropriate for the perfection and protection of their water rights.
We defend the District from actions which would diminish our effectiveness and function.
We further promote the conservation of water, soil, and other natural resources.
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The Klamath Irrigation District is a quasi-municipal corporation (special purpose local government) formed and operating pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 545. The District was established by "Order Declaring Result of Election" entered in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Klamath on 10 December 1917 and subsequently absorbed the responsibilities of the Klamath Water Users Association established in 1905. The District is governed by a five member board of directors which is elected by patrons of the District. |
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