Refill Our Refuges

The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge is a key stopover area for many migratory bird species.  Competing demands for water has created a situation where the refuge receives very little water, and what little water there is becomes stagnant.  The stagnant water, coupled with hot conditions in late summer are a breeding ground for Avian Botulism.

Avian botulism affects all species of water birds, and the symptoms include paralysis which leads to drowning.

With modern road and irrigation infrastructure, the refuge system is effectively cut off from water naturally entering the system.  Water must be purposefully routed into the refuges.

No, this is a water policy issue.  In 2024 the inflows of water into the Basin were at or above average levels, the dam removal project downstream requested less water be sent down stream, and yet the water was stored in upper Klamath Lake above natural levels and not sent to the refuges where the water would have naturally flowed prior to the building of a series of canals and dikes in the early 1900’s.

No, this is a community issue that requires community attention and solutions.  No finger pointing is happening.  Pacific Crest’s membership is made up of farmers, tribal members, sportsmen, naturalists, public employees, and citizens who live in the Klamath Basin.  We are deeply concerned for the future of our ecosystem, but we are not “taking sides.”

We understand that water is a hot button topic, and it would be simpler to be quiet, but doing nothing is not an option.  Our call is for policy makers to provide water to the refuges before the situation is irreversible.

Like most complex issues, there is not one single action that will save the refuge system and the birds of the Pacific Flyway.  For the time being, our only call is to encourage everyone in the basin to become informed and engaged, and for policy makers to Refill Our Refuges before the damage is irreversible.

Bird deaths are an easily quantifiable symptom of the problem, and addressing this single issue will help alleviate the damage being done to the Klamath Headwaters ecosystem.  There are many other symptoms as well.  The Klamath Midge has been noticeably absent from daily life for the past two summers.  Grasshopper infestations have wreaked havoc on crops for the last two years.  Along with Klamath River Salmon, the Klamath Sucker Fish is also on the endangered species list and numbers continue to decline alongside several other species that are expected to be added to the threatened or endangered species list in coming years.