Our new Biological Assessment is out - Klamath Basin Crisis

Klamath Project Operations Biological Assessment
Introduction, Action Area, and Proposed Action: Detailed Proposed Action
Potential Benefits of Proposed Guidelines for UKL and Klamath River
Releases
Less restrictive lake elevations and river flows provide NMFS, USFWS, Tribes,
Project irrigators and NWRs, as well as other interested parties the maximum
amount of flexibility to work cooperatively to meet the real time needs of listed
and other species within the limitations of actual UKL inflows in any particular
year. Target elevations for UKL and target flows for Klamath River are the
desired outcomes of IM. Higher required lake elevations or Klamath River flows
at IGD may reduce flexibility in the future months, therefore, risk analyses is a
key component of IM.
For example, in order to meet higher minimum river flows and lake levels,
Reclamation may need to reduce desired spring time releases to ensure sufficient
water supply is available throughout the entire season.
As discussed previously, Reclamation is not using water year types for this BA.
The IM process can more readily adjust operations to distribute IM water while
taking into consideration factors such as fish movement, year-class or cohort
strength, disease conditions, air and water temperatures, water quality, etc. This
type of information could be collected through existing monitoring programs,
with continued financial and other support of Reclamation. The specific elements
monitored would be modified based on needs of the IM Tech Team, availability
of funds, and other factors. Under IM, species’ needs and habitat conditions, as
well as water use and supply, will be reviewed every two weeks to determine the
volume of IM water available, increasing flexibility to manage the water for all
purposes and all species. Small changes in estimated inflow will translate to
similar changes in management, more closely mimicking a natural hydrograph for
the river and for UKL. Interactive Management promotes communication
between involved parties on a timely basis to make recommendations based on
current water and habitat conditions and species needs.
In an attempt to simulate potential lake levels and river flows that may be realized
from an IM process, Reclamation employed its WRIMS. The model uses 1961-
2004 historical data for UKL inflows and Keno to IGD accretions, minimum lake
levels and river flows, and estimated Project needs to estimate future UKL
elevations and Klamath River flows at IGD, under different potential water
management scenarios. It must be noted that the modeling results for Klamath
River flows and UKL elevations are interdependent. For example, any change in
minimum river flows will alter the results for lake elevations, refill and spill
potential as well as IM water availability.
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