Klamath Basin

The Bureau of Reclamation announced Monday afternoon that anticipated water demands for Klamath Project water contractors are "likely to be met" as the Basin pivots from consecutive years of drought.  Described in the 2025 Klamath Project Annual Operations Plan, the initial water supply allocations from Reclamation are based on modeled estimates of water available for irrigation delivery

Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced late last week that a $50 million federal investment from the Inflation Reduction Act is headed to the Klamath Basin.  The funds will primarily go toward a new agreement that supports irrigators facing prolonged drought conditions.  The programs receiving fund...

Legislation introduced by eastern Oregon’s Cliff Bentz, protecting Klamath Basin users from being charged for maintenance and upgrade costs attributable to the Link River or Keno dams was signed into law by President Biden earlier this month.  Ben...

Come January, Republicans will take control of the U.S. Senate, putting Washington’s and Oregon’s Senators in the minority, for the first time in four years.  Despite the change, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley said he will continue to find Republican partners for legislation he believes is good for his state.   “I’ve been able t...

It may be cold with snow on the ground, but the U.S. Forest Service is already looking to the fire season ahead.  Oregon’s ongoing drought, more frequent heatwaves and less rain and snow, mean longer and more intense fire seasons.   “The h...

If drought returns to Klamath County this year, farmers and growers shouldn’t expect assistance from the state.  The Oregon Water Resources Department recently announced if a drought emergency is declared, it is unlikely that Emergency Use Permits for groundwater will be issued.  Better known ...

For many stretches across the Pacific Northwest, the past couple of years have been hot and dry.  And while those conditions have taken a toll on pasture lands across the region, Jeff Clark, Pasture Market Development Specialist with Corteva Agriscience, said proper planning will help ensure those pastures are ready for the heart upcoming season.   “...

On Friday, senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley pressed the Bureau of Reclamation to prioritize Oregon when it comes to drought relief.  A letter sent by the two lawmakers, said, in part, “we strongly urge the Bureau of Reclamation to provide critical funding to areas in Oregon that have been devastated by the historic, multi-year, extreme drought conditions."   ...

The Farmers Conservation Alliance was recently awarded $120,000 from Google to better manage data, as they help 40 different irrigation communities in the west learn to better manage their water.   “When you think about working with each of those communities and looking at infrastructure that’s a significant part of rural communities, you just have a lot of information that you’re managing."

The Klamath Irrigation District in Southern Oregon plans to defy a U.S. government order issued last week for a halt to water deliveries to farmers in the drought-stricken basin.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages the Klamath Project, which includes Klamath Irrigation District and serves 266 square miles of farmland around the Oregon-California border.  A ...