Klamath Basin

“Flowing south from Crater Lake National Park, the streams and springs that form Upper and Lower Klamath Lakes exit Oregon through California as the Klamath River. Extensive lakes and wetlands along the Sycan, Sprague, Williamson, and Wood rivers dominate the basin. Numerous bald eagles and immense numbers of waterfowl overwinter in the basin. Irrigated agriculture, ranching, forestry, and, to a lesser extent, recreational tourism are key elements of the economy here."

"The drought during the summer of 2001 put the Klamath basin in the headlines when irrigation water was cut off from the basin farmers to aid in the survival of endangered sucker fish in the Klamath Basin and threatened Coho salmon in the Klamath River."

"Historically, the Klamath Basin was dominated by approximately 185,000 acres (749 km²) of shallow lakes and freshwater marshes. These extensive wetlands attracted peak fall concentrations of over 6 million waterfowl and supported abundant populations of other water birds including American White Pelican, Double Crested Cormorant, and several Heron species.

In 1905, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation initiated the Klamath Reclamation Project to convert the lakes and marshes of the Lower Klamath Lake and Tule Lake areas to agricultural lands. As these wetlands receded, the reclaimed lands were opened to agricultural development and settlement. Today, less than 25% of the historic wetlands remain. To conserve much of the Basin's remaining wetland habitat, the six National Wildlife Refuges have been established.”

Content featured on the Oregon Explorer, "Learn about Places: Klamath Basin" site, information compiled by science writing consultant John Ame.