Like many areas in the western U.S., the Klamath Basin faces serious water allocation problems and water quality issues, intensified by the presence of endangered species. KBRT is addressing these issues through cooperative partnerships with private property owners and government agencies, aimed at achieving the following objectives:
-
Address the over-commitment of water resources in the Klamath Basin by reducing water use above Upper Klamath Lake. This will increase the flow of water to Upper Klamath Lake for the downstream benefit of fish, wildlife, ranching and agriculture.
-
Encourage land, water, and cattle grazing management strategies that will improve water quality in rivers and lakes while maintaining a viable ranching economy and lifestyle in the Upper Klamath Lake Watershed.
-
Restore and establish wetland areas to produce water quality improvements, water storage, and other wetland-related environmental benefits.
KBRT seeks to fulfill its mission through four primary activities:
1. Enable landowner participation in Federal and State programs that encourage sustainable land and water management choices. Examples of such programs include NRCSf Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Securities Program, Wetland Reserve Program, Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, and the SWCDfs Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
2. Conduct research and monitoring to assess the effects of different management choices and adapt activities accordingly to assure maximum benefits.
3. Implement restoration and conservation projects such as riparian fencing, stream restoration, and fish passage improvements that enhance habitat conditions and relieve stress on native fish and wildlife populations.
4. Increase and protect instream flows through individual water transactions and established programs such as AWEP. These efforts make it possible for landowners to leave some or all of their irrigation water instream, thus augmenting the flow of good quality water to Upper Klamath Lake.
