Category: Press Releases

Read and distribute the press releases the KDD Board has released.

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KDD’s NRCS Watershed Plan Approved

Klamath Drainage District Manager Scott White signing NRCS Watershed Plan.

Final plans approved for Klamath Drainage District Infrastructure Modernization Project

Contact:
Lauren Bennett, NRCS Oregon
Public Affairs Officer
Email: Lauren.Bennett2@usda.gov
Phone: 503-414-3220

Klamath Falls, OR (December 5, 2025) – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon has released a Final Watershed Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Klamath Drainage District (KDD) Infrastructure Modernization Project.

NRCS Oregon has determined that the project will not cause significant local, regional, or national impacts to the environment. With a Final Watershed Plan EA in place, the project is now eligible for federal funding (pending Plan authorization by NRCS Chief Bettencourt) and may move forward into final design and construction.

The project will install a fish screen at the North Canal Diversion on the Klamath River; extend the North Canal and connect it to the P-1 Lateral; modify the North Canal to increase flow capacity; upgrade two pump stations for operational efficiency and to reduce water discharge to the Klamath River via the Klamath Straits Drain; and install flow monitoring and automated gates throughout the project area to improve water management.

By modernizing infrastructure, the proposed project would enable KDD to improve water management within its conveyance system and benefit fish populations in the Klamath River by preventing fish from getting trapped in KDD’s canals. By reducing water use inefficiencies, the proposed project would improve water quality in the Klamath River. The project would also allow KDD to supply additional water to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, which would increase critically needed habitat for wildlife.

The project is a joint effort among NRCS Oregon and KDD as the project sponsor and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as cooperating agencies, in coordination with other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

The Final Watershed Plan-EA and other supporting documents for the project are available at: https://watershedplans.org/klamath-dd.

The project may be partially funded through the Watershed and Flood Prevention Program, administered by NRCS and authorized by Public Law 83-566. Through this program, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to local organizations (project sponsors) for planning and implementing projects that help solve natural resource and related economic problems in a specific watershed. These projects can include watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and wetlands creation.

For more information about this and other irrigation modernization efforts, visit https://watershedplans.org or the NRCS Oregon public notice webpage.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Klamath Drainage District Manager Scott White signing NRCS Watershed Plan.
KDD General Manager signing the district’s NRCS Watershed Plan with Damon Brosnan, Acting for Greg Becker, NRCS Oregon State Conservationist.
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Salmon Sightings in Klamath Drainage District Emphasize Urgency for Fish Screens

The Ady Canal in the Klamath Drainage District near pumping stations F/FF along Hwy 97 south of Klamath Falls, OR. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.

KDD Letterhead

October 21, 2025

Salmon Sightings in Klamath Drainage District Emphasize Urgency for Fish Screens

Ignored for years, KDD’s call for protection for family farms and fish becomes urgent with Chinook spotted in canal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Scott White, Klamath Drainage District
General Manager
Email: scott.white@klamathdrainagedistrict.org
Phone: 541-884-1739

Klamath Falls, OR – Last week, Klamath Drainage District (KDD) staff witnessed large dark masses below the surface of the water in the Ady Canal. Upon further inspection, those dark masses surfaced the water exposing their fins. On Friday, October 17th, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) confirmed that the fins were those of Chinook salmon. To date, salmon have been spotted from the head of the Ady Canal all the way down to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge).

Scott White, the General Manager for the district said, “It’s a very exciting time. However, I never want to have to say, ‘I told you so.’ But dang it, I told you so,” he said with frustration. “It’s been nine years since the KPFA was signed and none of the promises made to farmers in that agreement regarding reintroduction of species have been upheld.”

White is referring to the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement (KPFA) which was signed in 2016 by the United States, the State Governments of Oregon and California, and multiple Klamath Basin stakeholders. Specifically, White refers to Section II.B.2a and b that commits the federal and state parties to support funding “entrainment reduction facilities” for Klamath Project contractors (water users). There have been no fish screens installed under the agreement to date.

“We have been warning folks of this day for years and begging for support and very little has been done beyond lip service,” White continued. “Are you paying attention, now? A lot of effort and dollars were put into dam removal and restoration—now let’s see that fish are protected the way the KPFA intended.”

Although there have been no screens installed under the terms of the KPFA, KDD and Family Water Alliance (FWA) are forcing movement on the installation of five screens on turnouts in the Ady Canal. KDD has been working closely with the FWA, the Bureau of Reclamation and the ODFW on a $4.5 million multi-screen project that will assist in keeping these fish from going down turnouts where they don’t belong.

“While it’s exciting for everyone to see salmon in the Upper Basin and even in our district, we need to protect our landowners as well as the fish for this to be successful,” said KDD Board Member and district farmer, Scotty Fenters. “These screens should have been installed already to do just that.”

Since the early days of dam removal, KDD has been working hard with other stakeholders, especially the Yurok Tribe, on salmon restoration projects on its private lands and its private facilities. The screening project complements KDD’s plan to connect the river to the Refuge permanently. The project could provide access to thousands of acres of wetland habitat for the benefit of fish, fowl, and farms. The concept, known as “Replumbing the Klamath” or the “Lower Klamath Lake Reconnection”, includes water security for Klamath Project water users, which results in habitat for fish and birds in the heart of the Pacific Flyway. White said, “These salmon sightings prove the concept and define a secure future of balance and sustainability for all interests in the Klamath Basin.”

KDD owns all the district’s delivery infrastructure and want to remind everyone to respect private property, particularly for safety reasons.

“It’s an exciting time on the district for fish and bird watchers. We get it,” said White. “We frequently invite tours on our waterfowl-rich lands,” he said, citing to the popular annual Lower Klamath Renaissance Tour. “We are working on ways that we can be more accommodating to the public, but we have more work to do. Please be patient with us, but more importantly, please respect our landowners’ private property.”

About the Klamath Drainage District:

Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is a 27,000-acre district located in southern Oregon bordering the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California. KDD proactively works to improve distribution and delivery of its scarce water resources including recycling over 35,000 acre-feet annually through its recently installed recirculation pumping plants. Of this recycled water, most is reused to grow crops, but a percentage is used for growers outside of the district and used for habitat improvement and other refuge purposes. KDD is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and prides itself on its restoration activities and the tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities it provides.

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Download a PDF version of “Salmon Sightings in Klamath Drainage District Emphasize Urgency for Fish Screens”.

The Ady Canal where it crosses Township Road in the Klamath Drainage District. Photo by Darcy Hill
The Klamath Drainage District has been working for nine years to get fish screens installed in the district’s canals to protect family farmers and fish populations. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
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Klamath Drainage District Prepares for Salmon in Klamath River

The Ady Canal diversion before it enters into the Klamath Drainage District north of Worden, Oregon.

KDD Blue Eagle Logo

Klamath Drainage District Prepares for Salmon in Klamath River

KDD has been working with various partners to ensure water security for district family farmers and ranchers while ensuring success for endangered fish populations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Scott White, Klamath Drainage District
General Manager
Email: scott.white@klamathdrainagedistrict.org
Phone: 541-884-1739

Klamath Falls, OR – On September 26th, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shared a short, 11-second video of a Chinook salmon leaping from the last pool of the Keno Dam fish ladder on its way up the Klamath River.

While social media commentators celebrated and scrutinized the video, the Klamath Drainage District board has been preparing for this moment.

KDD has two diversion points on the Klamath River – the Ady Canal and the North Canal. Both are possible avenues for salmon making their way into the district, with the Ady Canal being one of the first diversion points the Chinook would encounter on the Klamath River in Oregon.

“We have been very aware of this possibility and have been planning with a variety of partners and stakeholders on how we can ensure the success of these fish if they enter the district while providing water security for our landowners,” said KDD Manager, Scott White. “We’ve been working to find a balance to ensure the district’s family farms continue for generations while protecting salmon and sucker fish populations.”

Part of the preparation for salmon in the district can be found in KDD’s Ady Canal Reconnection Project, also known as the Lower Klamath Reconnection Project or colloquially as Replumbing the Klamath. This project focuses on permanently connecting the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (LKNWR) to the Klamath River, providing habitat for birds that use the refuge as well as for potential spawning grounds for C’waam and Koptu populations. By opening up Ady Canal for fish passage to LKNWR, migrating salmon could also access Lower Klamath Lake.

The original plans were to keep fish from accessing the district’s canals and drains by building large fish screens at the North Canal and Ady Canal diversions. However, the plan has evolved to have smaller screens installed at turnouts along the canals where water is allowed on to fields. By installing fish screens at these turnouts, fish will be able to access Lower Klamath Lake.

“Let’s be clear – there are no guarantees that salmon will make it into the district. But if they do, we want to be prepared and our farmers and ranchers to be protected,” said White. “I’m grateful to the partners we have working on this project, and in regards to the fish screens, I would like to especially thank the Family Water Alliance for their guidance on this.”

The installation of the first fish screen is slated for 2026 pending KPFA promised funding from Oregon and the United States.

To learn more about the Lower Klamath Reconnection Project, please visit https://klamathdrainagedistrict.org/replumbing-the-klamath/. From there, you can also find a list of the organizations that are partnering with KDD on this project.

About the Klamath Drainage District:

Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is a 27,000-acre district located in southern Oregon bordering the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California. KDD proactively works to improve distribution and delivery of its scarce water resources including recycling over 35,000 acre-feet annually through its recently installed recirculation pumping plants. Of this recycled water, most is reused to grow crops, but a percentage is used for growers outside of the district and used for habitat improvement and other refuge purposes. KDD is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and prides itself on its restoration activities and the tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities it provides.

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Download a PDF version of “Klamath Drainage District Prepares for Salmon in the Klamath River”

The Ady Canal diversion from the Klamath River before it enters into the Klamath Drainage District at pumping station F/FF.
The Klamath Drainage District’s Ady Canal diversion point before entering the district, located across from the district’s F/FF pumping stations along Highway 97, just north of Worden, OR. Photo: Darcy Hill, Klamath Drainage District.
The Ady Canal diversion before it enters into the Klamath Drainage District north of Worden, Oregon.
The Ady Canal diversion point from the Klamath River before it enters into the Klamath Drainage District, located just north of Worden, OR, on Highway 97. Photo: Darcy Hill, Klamath Drainage District.
The North Canal diversion from the Klamath River into KDD, south of Midland, OR.
Klamath Drainage District’s North Canal diversion from the Klamath River just south of Midland, OR. Photo: Darcy Hill, Klamath Drainage District.
The North Canal diversion from the Klamath River before it enters into Klamath Drainage District, just south of Midland, OR.
The North Canal diversion from the Klamath River before it enters the Klamath Drainage District. This diversion point is located just south of Midland, OR, off Highway 97. Photo: Darcy Hill, Klamath Drainage District.
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Klamath Drainage District Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to Kick-Off SCADA Project

Klamath Drainage District board president Bill Walker prepares to cut the ribbon at KDD's groundbreaking ceremony for the district's SCADA project.

KDD Letterhead

Klamath Drainage District Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to Kick-Off SCADA Project

KDD breaks ground on project to modernize infrastructure and add more efficiencies to its canals and drains.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Scott White, Klamath Drainage District
General Manager
Email: scott.white@klamathdrainagedistrict.org
Phone: 541-884-1739

Klamath Falls, OR – On August 28th, 2025, the Klamath Drainage District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the North Canal autogate to celebrate the groundbreaking and installation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment on the district.

$5 million in funding was secured by Senator Jeff Merkley in the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bill with assistance from the Klamath Water Users Association and the Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA) to help push it across the finish line. The district’s SCADA project is part of a greater network of sites located throughout the Klamath Reclamation Project. Installation of the system is being coordinated by the FCA, the group that has been instrumental in getting many district Watershed Plans drafted.

“This has been a long time coming,” said KDD Manager, Scott White. “Sometimes it feels like we spend too much time analyzing, but I’m not complaining today. Today, we’re celebrating.”

The SCADA system will allow KDD to gather data to monitor the water levels in the district’s canals and drains, and as needed, automatically open and close gates as well as turn on pumps to maintain water levels. “This will add another layer of efficiency for the district, which is already able to recycle more than 75% of water used by our growers,” added White.

White also recognized the turn out by the Bureau of Reclamation who are overwhelmingly supporting this work. “It was great to see so many folks from Reclamation here for this event. There were folks from Sacramento who came up to celebrate with us.” said White.

Gene Souza with the Klamath Irrigation District (KID) also gave praise to all the good work that has recently gone into getting this equipment installed. “It’s a great opportunity to be part of a new era in water management.” Souza said. KID is slated to install five SCADA sites with this first phase of installations. 

For KDD family farmers and ranchers, the eight sites and the system’s real-time data collection abilities will help make water delivery smoother, allow for automated adjustments, and in the long-run, help with drought planning and flood conditions. By making water deliveries more efficient, opportunities for creating more water available for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and the district’s other habitat restoration efforts arise as well.

“The completion of this SCADA project marks an important step forward in supporting districts with more efficient, timely, and reliable water delivery,” said KWUA Executive Director, Elizabeth Nielsen. “Congratulations to KDD and the partners that worked together on this effort, including Reclamation and the Farmer’s Conservation Alliance.”

“First off, I’d like to thank Senator Merkley for securing the funds for this project,” said KDD board president, Bill Walker. “And I’d also like to thank the folks at the Bureau of Reclamation and at FCA for getting this project on the ground. It’s going to be incredibly helpful for our landowners, not to mention efforts like the Lower Klamath Lake Reconnection project. It’s a classic win-win.”

In attendance at the ceremony were the KDD Board of Directors, Bill Walker and Josh McPhearson; representatives from Senator Merkley’s office, the Bureau of Reclamation, Farmers Conservation Alliance, Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath Irrigation District, the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce and the general public.

About the Klamath Drainage District:

Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is a 27,000-acre district located in southern Oregon bordering the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California. KDD proactively works to improve distribution and delivery of its scarce water resources including recycling over 35,000 acre-feet annually through its recently installed recirculation pumping plants. Of this recycled water, most is reused to grow crops, but a percentage is used for growers outside of the district and used for habitat improvement and other refuge purposes. KDD is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and prides itself on its restoration activities and the tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities it provides.

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Guests visiting before KDD’s SCADA ribbon-cutting ceremony on the North Canal off of Lower Klamath Lake Road. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
KDD President Bill Walker had the honor of cutting the ribbon to kick-off the Klamath Drainage District’s SCADA system installation. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s Deputy Regional Director Adam Nichols addressing KDD’s guests. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
Gene Souza, Klamath Irrigation District Manager, addressing KDD’s guests. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
KDD Board President Bill Walker cutting the ribbon for the district’s SCADA system project. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
Klamath Drainage District’s guests celebrating the ribbon-cutting on KDD’s SCADA system project. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
Klamath Drainage District Manager Scott White visiting with representatives from Senator Jeff Merkley’s office. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
KDD’s SCADA ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by representatives from Senator Merkley’s office, the Bureau of Reclamation, Farmers Conservation Alliance, Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath Irrigation District, the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce and the general public. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
KDD President Bill Walker visiting with Alan Heck and Heather Casillas of the Bureau of Reclamation after the ceremony. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
Klamath Water Users Association’s Executive Director Elizabeth Nielsen visiting with Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Regional Directors Adam Nichols and Kristin White. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.
After Klamath Drainage District’s SCADA project ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests visited about other projects. Photo by Darcy Hill, KDD.

 

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Public Comments Sought for Klamath Drainage District Infrastructure Modernization Project

Water flowing from Ady Canal in the Klamath Drainage District to Unit 2 in the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Public Comments Sought for Klamath Drainage District Infrastructure Modernization Project

In-person public meeting Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Contact: 

Lauren Bennett, NRCS Oregon
Public Affairs Officer
Email: Lauren.Bennett2@usda.gov
Phone: 503-414-3220

Scott White, Klamath Drainage District
General Manager
Email: scott.white@klamathdrainagedistrict.org
Phone: 541-884-1739

Klamath County, OR – (October 11, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon in partnership with Klamath Drainage District (KDD or the District) as the project sponsor and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as cooperating agencies, proposes to modernize KDD’s irrigation infrastructure to improve KDD’s irrigation water availability and reliability, water quality, and KDD’s capacity to deliver water to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (LKNWR) and patrons. NRCS reviewed the potential impacts of the KDD Infrastructure Modernization Project and released a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan-EA) on October 11, 2024.

KDD proposes to install a fish screen at North Canal Diversion on the Klamath River; modify the North Canal to increase flow capacity and extend it to the P-1 lateral; install a pipeline to recirculate water from the Klamath Straits Drain into the Center Canal; upgrade the E and F pump stations; and install 14 monitoring and telemetry systems, and four automated gates throughout the District.

By modernizing infrastructure, the proposed project would enable KDD to improve water management within its conveyance system and benefit fish populations in the Klamath River by preventing fish from getting trapped in KDD’s canals. By reducing water use inefficiencies, the proposed project would improve water quality in the Klamath River. The project would also allow KDD to supply additional water to the LKNWR, which would increase critically needed habitat for wildlife.

The project is sponsored by KDD, with funding and technical support from NRCS. Farmers Conservation Alliance is assisting NRCS with the planning process.

Members of the public are invited to learn about the proposed project, participate in a question- and-answer session, and provide feedback during a public meeting held in-person on October 29 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meeting details are as follows:

In-Person KDD Public Meeting

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Klamath Community College Conference Center

7390 S 6th St, Klamath Falls, OR 97603

A recording of the public meeting will be available at watershedplans.org/Klamath-dd after the meeting. The Draft Plan-EA can be viewed online at watershedplans.org/Klamath-dd or a printed copy of the Draft Plan-EA is available at the KDD Office (4240 Highway 39, Klamath Falls, OR 97603).

Public comments on the Draft Plan-EA may be submitted from October 11, 2024, through November 15, 2024. Comments may be emailed to klamathdd.comments@gmail.com, submitted online at watershedplans.org/Klamath-dd; left as a voice message at the Farmers Conservation Alliance office at (541) 716-6085; or mailed to: Farmers Conservation Alliance, Attn: KDD Plan, 102 State Street, Hood River, OR, 97031.

After the public comment period, NRCS will evaluate the comments and incorporate relevant comments into a Final Plan-EA. If NRCS issues a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project and authorizes the Final Plan-EA, KDD would be able to apply for funding to construct infrastructure improvements through the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention program, authorized by Public Law 83-566. Through this program, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to local organizations (project sponsors) for planning and carrying out watershed projects for the purpose of watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement. Additional information is available online at watershedplans.org or the NRCS Oregon public notice webpage.

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities or a request for a Spanish interpreter should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to David Mueller at (541) 716-6085 or david.mueller@fcasolutions.org. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Press Release: Federal Judge Rules Against KDD Klamath River Diversions

Klamath Drainage District headgate being used to send water to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

KDD Letterhead

September 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Scott White, General Manager                Reagan Desmond, General Counsel
scott@klamathdrainagedistrict.org       rlbd@clydesnow.com
(541) 510-6311                                                  (541) 797-0011

FEDERAL JUDGE RULES AGAINST DISTRICT’S RIGHT TO DIVERT WATER

District concerned of species restoration implications and prepares for appeal

Klamath Falls, OR – On September 11th, a federal judge in Medford’s United States District Court ruled against the Klamath Drainage District (KDD), and entered an injunction against KDD, stating that KDD can no longer divert water from the Klamath River that has not been authorized by the United States, citing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as its primary basis. On the same day, the same judge issued Findings and Recommendations in two other lawsuits brought by Klamath Tribes against Reclamation for ESA violations under 2021 and 2022 Klamath Project operations plans. In one case, the court found Reclamation violated the ESA in 2022 by providing farmers even a diminished supply when not all species goals could be met; in the other case, the court found Reclamation had not erred by prioritizing the needs of threatened salmon in Klamath River over endangered C’waam and Koptu in Upper Klamath Lake.

Last year, the United States brought the breach of contract case against KDD, alleging that KDD breached its Reclamation Act contract with the United States by irrigating in 2022 after the United States had informed KDD there was no Project supply available for the district. Notably, the United States provided no evidence of harm to any species as a result of KDD’s diversions in 2022. KDD irrigated under its separate state water right permit in 2022, as it has done since 1977 when it was issued. The ruling issued a permanent injunction that requires the United States’ “authorization” to divert water from the Klamath River, including for any diversions under the district’s separate state permit through the district’s private facilities.

“To say we’re disappointed is an understatement. I’m in disbelief,” said Bill Walker, President of the district. “We are still evaluating the effects of this ruling, but on the surface, it appears to reach far beyond where any court has ever gone.”

The District Board met on the 12th to discuss its options and voted unanimously to appeal the decision. The District Board believes there are several appealable errors in the decision, including what appears to be an unprecedented interpretation of the Reclamation Act and court endorsement of federal control over private state water rights. “Frankly,” as Walker stated with respect to appealing the decision, “we have no choice, our livelihoods and our families are at stake.”

KDD owns and operates its own infrastructure and also pays over double the percentage of any other district of Reclamation Project Operation and Maintenance costs, regardless of whether or not Reclamation supplies water. KDD is still in the process of evaluating the costs and impacts of this ruling on the operations and rights of both the district and its landowners. However, it is immediately apparent that it will lead to a significant loss in revenue to its landowners if not overturned on appeal, particularly in light of the court’s separate ruling in the Klamath Tribes case which will almost certainly lead to a reduced amount of Project Supply for farmers under project irrigation contracts going forward.

The district is also assessing how this ruling could play a role in large-scale restoration planning. On the eve of the largest dam removal project in history, the district has been working with agencies, tribes and interested stakeholders to utilize existing district infrastructure for a massive restoration project.  The district is concerned there are negative impacts to that effort as a result of this ruling.

“How can we afford to operate and maintain the facilities we are offering up for restoration when our landowners may not be able to pay their assessments,” questioned Scott White, General Manager of the district. “The financial impacts of this decision are so much larger than just harvesting a crop or not. We’re talking about the recovery of species here, and this ruling appears to have the opposite effect of what the court cited as their reason for the decision.”

For the last decade, Tracey Liskey, a lifelong landowner in KDD, a board member of the district, and the President of the Klamath Water Users Association, has committed his time, money, and energy to helping build a facility that grows endangered sucker specifically targeted at recovering the fish. “The United States and their courts are taking the tools right out of the hands wanting to do the hard work it takes for recovery,” Liskey lamented in frustration. “All we want is for these fish to recover and thrive so we can go back to what we love and here we have another ruling that hamstrings our ability to utilize our resources in that effort.”

Liskey was not alone in his concern about the species. “All the restoration experts we work with are focused on ecosystem recovery as the major ingredient to species recovery,” noted Walker. “It is our duty and responsibility to seek a favorable ruling that will not limit anyone’s ability to help in the recovery of our environment. We owe it to the water users, and we owe it to the species to appeal this ruling.”

KDD has a long history in aiding species recovery. In 1978, Bald Eagles were listed as endangered, and the district’s lands became key to the birds’ recovery. In 1983, KDD’s lands were classified as the “Oregon Feeding Grounds” for our nation’s bird due to the district’s historical practice of winter diversions making it prime hunting habitat for the raptors and critical to the bird’s survival. The spirit of recovering species and providing wildlife habitat has been a mainstay for KDD ever since.

More recently, when the Bureau of Reclamation denies water to Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges, KDD’s fields provide the much-needed winter habitat for the migrating waterfowl of the Pacific Flyway including Bald Eagles. Last year, KDD’s lands were the only habitat in the Upper Klamath Basin where migrating water birds could find refuge due to the wildlife refuges being dry.

The district plans to begin communicating with its restoration partners immediately to discuss what this means for the projects and to identify if there are some opportunities remaining.

Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is a 27,000-acre district located in southern Oregon bordering the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California. KDD proactively works to improve distribution and delivery of its scarce water resources including recycling over 35,000 acre-feet annually through its recently installed recirculation pumping plants. Of this recycled water, most is reused to grow crops, but a percentage is used for growers outside of the district and used for habitat improvement and other refuge purposes. KDD is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and prides itself on its restoration activities and the tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities it provides.

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Download PDF version of FEDERAL JUDGE RULES AGAINST DISTRICT’S RIGHT TO DIVERT WATER

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Press Release: KDD Welcomes Beginning of 2023 Irrigation Season

KDD Blue Eagle Logo

May 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: 
Scott White
scott@klamathdrainagedistrict.org
(541) 510-6311

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TURNS ON KLAMATH IRRIGATION PROJECT

Klamath Drainage District welcomes the beginning of the irrigation season, notes the Feds’ trimmed allocation will affect local refuges, other farms 

Klamath Falls, OR – The Bureau of Reclamation has finally allowed the Klamath Project to officially begin its irrigation season today, a full month later than the traditional April 1st start date that Klamath Basin family farmers and ranchers have traditionally relied on.

With the delayed start date, the Bureau has also trimmed deliveries to Klamath Project irrigators. While 590,000 acre-feet of water will flow to the Pacific Ocean to meet claimed needs of salmon, Klamath Project farmers will receive 215,000 acre-feet, roughly 60% of the water needed for Klamath Basin agriculture and wildlife refuges served by the Klamath Project. 

“In a year when snowpack reached over 200% of normal, and the Klamath Project continues to bear the brunt of questionable ESA demands, which is frustrating,” said Scott White, General Manager of the Klamath Drainage District. “But as with years past, I plan on working with TID and KID to sharpen our pencils and see how we can work together to the benefit of all the Project districts and the refuges.”

Bill Walker, president of the KDD board, added, “There are going to be 60,000 acres of farmland, including the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, that are probably going to go dry this year. I’m proud of the work my fellow KDD patrons are doing to free up water for Lower Klamath and create habitat on their properties, but at some point the Feds need to look at the ecological disaster they’re creating in the Upper Klamath Basin. In the meantime, KDD will continue to be the ‘Only Restaurant In Town’ that’s meeting the needs of the Pacific Flyway in the Klamath Basin.”

The Klamath Drainage District is uniquely situated to make the most of the limited 2023 water allocation. Due to the district’s natural geology and hydrology coupled with infrastructure investments, KDD returns or reuses more than 75% of the water used by patrons. 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.

Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is a 27,000-acre district located in southern Oregon bordering the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California. KDD proactively works to improve distribution and delivery of its scarce water resources including recycling over 35,000 acre-feet annually through its recently installed recirculation pumping plants. Of this recycled water, most is reused to grow crops, but a percentage is used for growers outside of the district and used for habitat improvement and other refuge purposes. KDD is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and prides itself on the tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities it provides.

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Media Release: RECLAMATION FILES SURPRISE COMPLAINT AGAINST KDD

July 11, 2022

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: 
Scott White
scott@klamathdrainagedistrict.org
(541) 510-6311
RECLAMATION FILES SURPRISE COMPLAINT AGAINST KDD

 

District disappointed in Government’s conduct

 

 Klamath Falls, OR – The day after our country celebrated its independence, and just three days after water in KDD’s North Canal was used to fight a wildfire in a nearby Midland neighborhood, the United States Department of Justice, on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation, filed a complaint against the district alleging there is no “Project Supply” available for the district and further alleging the district is making “unauthorized diversions” in breach of its contract.”

Scott White, General Manager for the district notes that this is not a contract issue at all and points to the district’s existing water rights of record. “The Bureau has literally acknowledged and affirmed KDD’s water rights in the past and encouraged us to exercise them when there is no Project Supply available,” said White. “It’s incredible that they claim we are in breach of contract for doing the very thing they asked of us for years.” 

 

KDD owns all the district’s delivery infrastructure except for the Ady Canal headgates which the Bureau says are owned by the United States. The district and its landowners are privileged with three notable water rights; a 1905 Project Claim, an 1883 claim, and a 1977 supplemental permit to be used in times of shortage.

 

 

The district is also bound by contract to deliver water to water users outside of the district, but the complaint makes no mention of the district currently facilitating the conveyance of water to the refuge under state law. “The Bureau is out of its lane in picking and choosing which law to recognize,” states Bill Walker, President of the district. “The Bureau supports state law when it means getting water to their land but does not when it means getting water to family farmers and ranchers. This isn’t law, this is politics.”

 

 

In the wake of another dry water year for Project districts, the Bureau requested that the districts come up with a plan to distribute the delivery of water to the Project based on targeted lake elevations. The districts, including KDD, spent countless hours and resources generating the plan in good faith. The plan included a distribution of water for the districts, including KDD. However, with an executed bait and switch, the Bureau then neglected to respond and went forward issuing their own plan and letters to districts counter to the districts’ plan. 

 

 

 

The Bureau also denied KDD landowners eligibility for DRA programs that could have made 12,000 to 16,000 acre-feet available for other water uses by partially compensating farmers for not irrigating. “The Bureau continues to target our small district for their failure at managing the Project,” expressed White with disappointment. “We do so much good for the refuge, the fish, recirculation of our water, and preservation of our lands and wildlife, but none of that matters I guess.” 

 

 

Walker notes the amount of effort the district has made to work with the Bureau. “We have been holding out the olive branch for the Bureau for so long and all we have gotten for it is a lawsuit and a stronger back. We are a district that believes in working with and for our neighbors. We are very disappointed in the United States right now.”

 

 

The Department of Justice filed their complaint in the United States District Court, District of Oregon, in Medford. There is no set date for trial.

 

 

Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is a 27,000-acre district located in southern Oregon bordering the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California. KDD proactively works to improve distribution and delivery of its scarce water resources including recycling over 35,000 acre-feet annually through its recently installed recirculation pumping plants. Of this recycled water, most is reused to grow crops, but a percentage is used for growers outside of the district and used for habitat improvement and other refuge purposes. KDD is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and prides itself on the tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities it provides.

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 Download a PDF version of this press release.