Klamath Drainage District headgate being used to send water to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Posted on by KDD

How Klamath Drainage District Benefits Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

With May being National Wetlands Month, we thought we’d share how Klamath Drainage District provides benefits to our neighbor to the south, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

Klamath Drainage District benefits the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in a number of ways. First, KDD provides water to the refuge during dry years when other sources of water are not available, including the historic droughting of the refuge by the Bureau of Reclamation. This helps to maintain the refuge’s wetlands and wildlife habitat. Second, KDD helps to improve water quality in the refuge. The KDD’s water management practices help to reduce sediment and nutrient loads in the refuge’s waterways. Third, KDD helps to create jobs in the Klamath Basin. The KDD’s operations and maintenance activities support a number of jobs in the region.

KDD’s cooperative agreement with the USFWS has also been successful in providing water to the Lower Klamath NWR during dry years while improving water quality in the refuge. This partnership has made KDD a valuable partner in the management of the LKNWR to the benefit of the birds of the Pacific Flyway and Klamath Basin wildlife.

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge receives water from Klamath Drainage District Patrons

Here are some specific examples of how the Klamath Drainage District benefits the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge:

    • In 2015, KDD provided water to the refuge during a severe drought. This water helped to keep the refuge’s wetlands wet and supported the habitat of thousands of birds and other wildlife.
    • As already mentioned, KDD’s water management practices help to reduce sediment and nutrient loads in the refuge’s waterways. This helps to improve water quality and protect the refuge’s fish and wildlife.
    • With the ability to reuse or return more 75% of the water used in the district, KDD is able to decrease its demand in Upper Klamath Lake which could free up more water for Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges.
    • Between December of 2021 and August, 2022, KDD sent approximately 3,100 acre feet of much needed water to the Lower Klamath Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Ducks flying over Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge receiving water from Klamath Drainage District

The Klamath Drainage District is a valuable partner in the management of the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. KDD’s water management practices help to keep the refuge’s wetlands wet, improve water quality, and create jobs in the region. The work that KDD does in partnership with the California Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service help ensure Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge provides much needed habitat for the birds of the Pacific Flyway as well as the Klamath Basin wildlife who make their home in the refuge.