News Release Archive

Inflows Dictate Change In Klamath Water Year Type

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: March 16, 2004

A dry spring and poor runoff have resulted in reduced inflows to Upper Klamath Lake, causing a change in year-type forecast for the 2004 water year from a "below average" year to a "dry" water year. The Project will now be operated to track Iron Gate Dam releases for a dry water year type as per the final NOAA Fisheries Service Biological Opinion (BO). As is true of many areas of the west, actual precipitation patterns and runoff conditions are far below earlier expectations.

According to the forecast of the National Resources Conservation Service, projected inflow for the remaining water year has dropped from 366,000 acre feet on April 1st to 284,600 acre feet.

For additional information, contact Reclamation's Public Affairs Office at 541-880-2543.

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