Klamath Dams Facts Matter
FACT: Siskiyou County Votes Against Dam Removal
SCWUA put forth a ballot measure, Measure G, on November 2, 2010.
A “Yes” vote was in favor of Klamath Dam Removal. A “No” vote was in favor of Klamath Dam Retention.
The “No” vote was carried by 13,564 votes representing 78.84% of the population.
The “Yes” vote represented only 21.16% of the population – with 3,640 votes cast.
FACT: Klamath County Votes Against Klamath Dam Removal
An advisory vote on whether the four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River should be removed came in with 72 percent opposed to the removal and 27 percent in favor in early returns. That translates to 18,838 opposed and 7,051 in favor in the initial 25,889 votes released from the Klamath County Clerk’s office. “That’s just about where I thought it would come in,” said Klamath County Commissioner Tom Mallams, who pushed to put the advisory vote on the ballot. The vote has no weight of law, but was put on the ballot to give citizens a voice, Mallams said.
Fact: Copco Lake - A valuable and vital water resource
Copco and Iron Gate Lakes together hold a precious reserve of 45-Billion gallons of fresh water. Copco Lake alone holds a reserve of 25-Billion gallons of fresh water. In 1911, a natural lake called 'Clammittee Lake' existed in the footprint of the present-day Copco Lake, and was formed by a natural 31-foot-tall lava dam that held-back the Klamath River. Fed by the Klamath River, Copco and Iron Gate Lake's mission under the Klamath River Basin Compact Act, a federal law, signed by the President of the United States of America, for the beneficial uses of the water by the public, is to facilitate and provide the development, use, conservation and control of water resources for various purposes. These purposes include the protection and enhancement of fish and endangered wildlife, agriculture, domestic, fire fighting, hydro-electric production, and recreation.
Fact: Water from Copco Lake and Iron Gate Dams has been used for Fire suppression in No. California and So. Oregon
Firefighters drew over 1-million gallons of water from Iron Gate Lake (one of the lakes behind Klamath dams) to fight Klamathon Fire (38,000 acres) that threatened Ashland OR and Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Fact: Electricity
The Klamath dams have provided low cost clean energy for more thatn sufficient for our area 24 hours a day seven days a week
Fact: Water Storage
The Klamath Dams have provided sufficient water storage to flush the Klamath River as required by Court Order and are part of the BOR teacup process. Bureau of Reclamation: Mid-Pacific Region Home Page (usbr.gov)
Fact: Recreation
The Klamath Dams have provided for recreation on the lakes behind the facilities.
Fact: Wildlife
The Klamath Dams are in the Pacific flyway and provide lake environment for numerous unique birds traveling the Pacific flyway including osprey, pelicans, and cormorants.
Fact: Aquatic Life
The reservoirs are home habitat for endangered suckerfish both long nose and short nose.
Fact: Mammals
The lakes and surrounding vegetation provide habitat for many unique endangered species incuding the Giant Gopher Snake, Kangaroo Rat, and Western Pond Turtles.
Fact: Hunting Grounds
The lakes and surrounding land areas provide a productive habitat for Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and other raptors
Fact: Fishing
The lakes provide fishing opportunities for many individuals including disadvantaged persons. The fish, which will be impacted by removal of the dams, include crappie, largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, bluegill, among others unique to the lake environment.
Fact: Clean Water
The Klamath Dams and their reservoirs provide a process for settlement of material and providing water downstream of the Dams cleaner than the incoming water. It is calculated that 20-30 million cubic yards of sediment will be flushed downriver if the dams are removed. Iron Gate also provides cooler water at depth for the hatchery.