Klamath Basin, Oregon
benefit many other species in the watershed.
“ascends the streams The Partners for Fish & in thousands in the Wildlife Program assists spring” E.D. Cope, 1879, in developing and of the Lost River Sucker implementing landscape- level conservation objectives as well as Introduction and specific restoration Riparian restoration along the General Description projects. We provide Williamson River.
technical expertise for The headwaters for the Upper project design and Habitats of Special Klamath Basin start in the arid implementation. Concern mountains east of the Cascade Klamath Basin Activities Range in southern Oregon. River, riparian, lake, and Downstream, these waters • Restoration, enhancement, protection of habitat for wetlands habitats are what support one of the largest lake- make the Klamath Basin wetlands complexes in the threatened, endangered, or rare species unique. These habitats western US. These unique historically supported millions • Wetland restoration aquatic habitats in the Upper of fish and waterbirds. • Upland restoration (juniper Klamath Basin support the incredible biodiversity for removal) • Wetlands and riparian habitats which the watershed is Spring restoration also provide key ecosystem • notorious. Water is also a Wetland enhancement services that sequester • critical economic resource as it In-stream restoration nutrients and provide habitat is used for irrigating crops and • Stream bank stabilization for all life stages of fish native supporting cattle across the and restoration to the basin. More than half of Basin, where there is a long • Restoration of riparian and the wetlands in the Basin have history of highly productive flood plain areas been modified by draining, farming and ranching. • Restoration of fish habitat levee construction, and • Outdoor classrooms agricultural practices. These In 1988, two species of fish— changes have impacted Lost River sucker and populations of all species that shortnose sucker—were listed 5-year Restoration depend on these habitats as endangered. There were including water dependent Targets (2007-2011) several reasons cited for the birds, fish, and other decline of these fish organisms. populations including habitat 15,775 wetland ac. loss and poor water quality. 8,000 upland acres Wetlands restoration is a Their listing sounded an alarm 280 instream & widely accepted solution for across the Upper Basin that many of the Klamath Basin aquatic resources were in a riparian miles 2,000 riparian ac. watershed problems. degraded state. Ecosystem restoration is expected to contribute to the recovery of these fish populations and
Partners for Fish and Wildlife – Klamath Basin, Oregon July 2008
Threats These wetlands and riparian areas throughout the Habitat loss and degraded watershed also provided water quality are the biggest habitat for migratory threats to sensitive species in waterbirds as well as nursery the Upper Klamath Basin. habitat for rearing fish Upper Klamath Lake is species. hypereutrophic and is victim to severe outbreaks of blue-green Conservation Strategies algae in summer. The Chiloquin Dam impedes fish movement on the Sprague River. The algal blooms are the Habitat improvement and It will be removed in 2008. driven by large inputs of restoration projects are aimed phosphorus and nitrogen. at rehabilitating wetlands and Partners Some of the nutrient loading is functioning riparian zones to native due to the volcanic soils, provide habitat for fish and • Ducks Unlimited, Inc. but much of it comes from wildlife and improve water • Natural Resources agricultural practices including quality and quantity. Conservation Service draining wetlands soils and • untreated cattle waste. The Oregon Department of The Partners for Fish & Fish & Wildlife algal blooms on Upper Wildlife Program works with • Oregon Watershed Klamath Lake are a major partners on privately owned threat to the two endangered Enhancement Board lands to identify and complete • species of sucker. The algae The Klamath Tribes projects on their property for • generate water quality these habitat benefits. We work The Nature Conservancy • problems such as elevated pH under several priorities most Municipalities • and low dissolved oxygen notably the Hatfield Science Private Landowners levels when the algae die. Team’s Five Year Plan, which • Private Industry is a priority plan developed by • US Bureau of Reclamation Historic wetlands and riparian a local multi-disciplinary • US Forest Service vegetation played a key role in stakeholder group. • US Geological Survey filtering nutrients and other pollutants before the water reached the lake.
Contact
Matt Barry Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1936 California Avenue Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601 (541) 885-8481
Lost River suckers are listed as endangered and are the focus of many of the restoration projects in the Upper Klamath Basin.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife – Klamath Basin, Oregon July 2008