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Bureau analyzes Chiloquin Dam
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| Water flows Thursday over Chiloquin Dam, a structure in the Sprague River that restricts passage for several species of fish, including endangered suckers. |
Published May 29, 2003
Effects of removing dam among options being reviewed
By DYLAN DARLING
H&N Staff Writer
CHILOQUIN - The effects of removing an old irrigation dam that restricts fish access to spawning habitat in the Sprague River watershed are analyzed in a government report expected to be completed soon.
Chiloquin Dam, located near the lower end of the river just outside the town of Chiloquin, was built in 1914.
Even after nearly 90 years, the dam is still sturdy enough to last another 100 years, according to analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau was ordered by Congress last year to study the dam, and what can be done to improve fish passage.
Chuck Korson, fish passage manager for the Bureau's Klamath Basin Area Office, led a tour of the dam for interested parties Thursday, and discussed options for fish as outlined in the Bureau's study.
"This is a report that we believe will provide information to Congress so they can decide what to do next," Korson said.
Korson outlined what the Bureau has learned about the dam:
n The existing dam does not need to be reinforced to install new or improved fish ladders.
n There are no toxic chemicals or metals in sediment trapped behind the dam.
n The amount of sediment is small in relation to the Sprague River's total capacity to carry sediments.
n Sediment would be transported rapidly downstream if the dam were removed, but would not significantly change the channel of the Lower Williamson River.
The dam diverts water into a five-mile-long irrigation canal that serves 5,000 acres of farmland in the Modoc Point Irrigation District on the east shore of Upper Klamath Lake. The dam is owned and operated by the irrigation district.
Korson said the Bureau has not made any recommendations on what should be done with the dam. Instead, the study provides information for Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Congress, so they can decide what to do.
Rep. Greg Walden, who wrote the legislation requiring the study, said something needs to be done about the dam as soon as possible.
"It matters not to me whether it is improvement of the fish ladder or removing the dam, as long as irrigation gets water and fish passage is improved," he said.
Korson said he hopes the report will be put to use right away.
"Our hope is it doesn't get put on a shelf and nothing gets done," he said. "If you look at the dam and its conditions, it's pretty clear that something needs to be done to improve passage," Korson said.
Shortnose, Lost River and Klamath largescale suckers, as well as redband trout, spawn above and below the dam. Although the dam does not completely cut off access to habitat upstream, it does hinder fish from getting to about 80 miles of spawning habitat.
If the dam were removed, or if modifications affected the irrigation canal, water users in the Modoc Point Irrigation District wouldn't be left without water.
Korson said there is a pumping station already in place that is owned by the district, which it could use to pump water from the river. But that option wouldn't be cheap.
Maintaining and operating the pumping station would cost about $50,000 per year, he said. Using the canal as it is costs the district about $5,000 per year.
Among those who attended the tour and meeting, opinions on what to do ranged from doing nothing to removing the dam.
Joyce Jacobus, who lives with her husband in Chiloquin, said she learned a lot at the meeting. She said the dam could use a new fish ladder, but said she hopes it doesn't cost too much.
"My personal opinion is if it ain't broke, don't fix it," she said.
Jennifer Sanborn, who lives in Chiloquin, came away from the tour and meeting with a different view.
"I'd like to see the river run," she said.
She said there would be no maintenance problems if the river were allowed flow in its natural state.
Figuring out what to do with the dam will just be one of many pieces that need to fall into place to improve fish habitat in the Klamath Basin. Korson said the study shows how complex each project can be and how it will take more research and cooperation by groups involved to find a basinwide solution.
The Bureau has finished a draft of the study, which will be circulated for review by the groups that helped with it. These groups include the Klamath Tribes, Modoc Point Irrigation District, U.S. Forest Service, the Klamath Water Users Association and many others with interest in improving fish habitat in the Basin.
Reporter Dylan Darling covers natural resources. He can be reached at 885-4471, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at ddarling@heraldandnews.com.
Effects of removing dam among options being reviewed
By DYLAN DARLING
H&N Staff Writer
CHILOQUIN - The effects of removing an old irrigation dam that restricts fish access to spawning habitat in the Sprague River watershed are analyzed in a government report expected to be completed soon.
Chiloquin Dam, located near the lower end of the river just outside the town of Chiloquin, was built in 1914.
Even after nearly 90 years, the dam is still sturdy enough to last another 100 years, according to analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau was ordered by Congress last year to study the dam, and what can be done to improve fish passage.
Chuck Korson, fish passage manager for the Bureau's Klamath Basin Area Office, led a tour of the dam for interested parties Thursday, and discussed options for fish as outlined in the Bureau's study.
"This is a report that we believe will provide information to Congress so they can decide what to do next," Korson said.
Korson outlined what the Bureau has learned about the dam:
n The existing dam does not need to be reinforced to install new or improved fish ladders.
n There are no toxic chemicals or metals in sediment trapped behind the dam.
n The amount of sediment is small in relation to the Sprague River's total capacity to carry sediments.
n Sediment would be transported rapidly downstream if the dam were removed, but would not significantly change the channel of the Lower Williamson River.
The dam diverts water into a five-mile-long irrigation canal that serves 5,000 acres of farmland in the Modoc Point Irrigation District on the east shore of Upper Klamath Lake. The dam is owned and operated by the irrigation district.
Korson said the Bureau has not made any recommendations on what should be done with the dam. Instead, the study provides information for Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Congress, so they can decide what to do.
Rep. Greg Walden, who wrote the legislation requiring the study, said something needs to be done about the dam as soon as possible.
"It matters not to me whether it is improvement of the fish ladder or removing the dam, as long as irrigation gets water and fish passage is improved," he said.
Korson said he hopes the report will be put to use right away.
"Our hope is it doesn't get put on a shelf and nothing gets done," he said. "If you look at the dam and its conditions, it's pretty clear that something needs to be done to improve passage," Korson said.
Shortnose, Lost River and Klamath largescale suckers, as well as redband trout, spawn above and below the dam. Although the dam does not completely cut off access to habitat upstream, it does hinder fish from getting to about 80 miles of spawning habitat.
If the dam were removed, or if modifications affected the irrigation canal, water users in the Modoc Point Irrigation District wouldn't be left without water.
Korson said there is a pumping station already in place that is owned by the district, which it could use to pump water from the river. But that option wouldn't be cheap.
Maintaining and operating the pumping station would cost about $50,000 per year, he said. Using the canal as it is costs the district about $5,000 per year.
Among those who attended the tour and meeting, opinions on what to do ranged from doing nothing to removing the dam.
Joyce Jacobus, who lives with her husband in Chiloquin, said she learned a lot at the meeting. She said the dam could use a new fish ladder, but said she hopes it doesn't cost too much.
"My personal opinion is if it ain't broke, don't fix it," she said.
Jennifer Sanborn, who lives in Chiloquin, came away from the tour and meeting with a different view.
"I'd like to see the river run," she said.
She said there would be no maintenance problems if the river were allowed flow in its natural state.
Figuring out what to do with the dam will just be one of many pieces that need to fall into place to improve fish habitat in the Klamath Basin. Korson said the study shows how complex each project can be and how it will take more research and cooperation by groups involved to find a basinwide solution.
The Bureau has finished a draft of the study, which will be circulated for review by the groups that helped with it. These groups include the Klamath Tribes, Modoc Point Irrigation District, U.S. Forest Service, the Klamath Water Users Association and many others with interest in improving fish habitat in the Basin.
Reporter Dylan Darling covers natural resources. He can be reached at 885-4471, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at ddarling@heraldandnews.com.
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