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Dam removal could help Tribes
Published Thursday March 9, 2006
By STEVE KADEL
H&N Staff Writer
A key piece of Klamath Tribes' history could live again if removing the Chiloquin dam helps sucker fish thrive.
“These fish have had a subsistence and cultural importance to the Tribes,” said Doug Tedrick of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. “They are a natural resource that is important to the Tribes. They have a treaty right to harvest these fish that they are not able to enjoy because they are endangered.”
A big step toward removing the dam, built in 1914, comes this summer when a pumping plant will be built next to the Sprague River. It will supply water to irrigators after the dam is gone.
However, removal won't happen for at least another year because the pumping plant must undergo a 60-day test in April 2007.
Tedrick, chief range conservationist for the BIA, was in Klamath Falls this week to talk with Modoc Point Irrigation District representatives and other collaborators about the dam's removal.
But that is just part of efforts to bolster the sucker population. Upstream habitat restoration also is needed to get suckers off the endangered list, Tedrick said.
Dave Northrup of Chiloquin worked on the crew that replaced a fish ladder on the north side of the dam in the 1960s. He visited the dam this month and watched a crew from the U.S. Geologic Survey working in the ladder - tagging and counting fish.
“They told me the suckers are not running yet, but they expect them in a week or two in the ladder,” Northrup said. “They did see three large trout in the ladder.
“They also told me they have tracked suckers they have tagged in the ladder as far upstream as the Sycan Marsh.”
Northrup would hate to see the dam removed because it creates a popular fishing hole.
Tedrick acknowledges that some fish get past the dam, but not enough to improve sucker numbers.
“Some fish can zip right up, but others have more trouble,” he said. “It doesn't block passage, but it impairs passage. It's been identified as one of the causes of their reduced population.”
The National Academy of Sciences' research council has given removal of Chiloquin dam high priority as a recovery effort.
Tedrick said environmentalists, the Tribes, and federal, state and local officials all support removal. The BIA and Modoc Point Irrigation District are working together on the project.
“We're not pushing ahead of the district,” Tedrick said. “It's their private dam. We've worked hand in hand with the district to make sure they remain whole.”
That includes the BIA paying to build the pumping plant as well as for its maintenance. The agency also will pay electricity costs to pump water to Modoc Point, where 5,000 acres are cultivated.
By STEVE KADEL
H&N Staff Writer
A key piece of Klamath Tribes' history could live again if removing the Chiloquin dam helps sucker fish thrive.
“These fish have had a subsistence and cultural importance to the Tribes,” said Doug Tedrick of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. “They are a natural resource that is important to the Tribes. They have a treaty right to harvest these fish that they are not able to enjoy because they are endangered.”
A big step toward removing the dam, built in 1914, comes this summer when a pumping plant will be built next to the Sprague River. It will supply water to irrigators after the dam is gone.
However, removal won't happen for at least another year because the pumping plant must undergo a 60-day test in April 2007.
Tedrick, chief range conservationist for the BIA, was in Klamath Falls this week to talk with Modoc Point Irrigation District representatives and other collaborators about the dam's removal.
But that is just part of efforts to bolster the sucker population. Upstream habitat restoration also is needed to get suckers off the endangered list, Tedrick said.
Dave Northrup of Chiloquin worked on the crew that replaced a fish ladder on the north side of the dam in the 1960s. He visited the dam this month and watched a crew from the U.S. Geologic Survey working in the ladder - tagging and counting fish.
“They told me the suckers are not running yet, but they expect them in a week or two in the ladder,” Northrup said. “They did see three large trout in the ladder.
“They also told me they have tracked suckers they have tagged in the ladder as far upstream as the Sycan Marsh.”
Northrup would hate to see the dam removed because it creates a popular fishing hole.
Tedrick acknowledges that some fish get past the dam, but not enough to improve sucker numbers.
“Some fish can zip right up, but others have more trouble,” he said. “It doesn't block passage, but it impairs passage. It's been identified as one of the causes of their reduced population.”
The National Academy of Sciences' research council has given removal of Chiloquin dam high priority as a recovery effort.
Tedrick said environmentalists, the Tribes, and federal, state and local officials all support removal. The BIA and Modoc Point Irrigation District are working together on the project.
“We're not pushing ahead of the district,” Tedrick said. “It's their private dam. We've worked hand in hand with the district to make sure they remain whole.”
That includes the BIA paying to build the pumping plant as well as for its maintenance. The agency also will pay electricity costs to pump water to Modoc Point, where 5,000 acres are cultivated.
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leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
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Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "