Klamath River Basin Pact Ends Decades of Water Wars

From the Environment News Service: The historic agreement is signed by key players in the region, but a sizable hurdle remains -  it doesn't become permanent until it is fully funded, and that will require federal money. That's not so easy these days, especially for as controversial a project as this.

Tentative agreement signed in Klamath water wars

From AP: Another strong step in settling the Klamath water wars:

"Gov. John Kitzhaber and representatives of the Obama administration have signed a breakthrough agreement for sharing scarce water in the Upper Klamath Basin, where irrigation was shut off to ranchers last summer after the Klamath Tribes exercised newly awarded water rights to protect fish."

After 38 Years, Oregon Backs Tribes’ Water Right in the Klamath Basin

This decision could have far-ranging consequences for future water distribution in the region:

"After 38 years of examining claims, Oregon has issued an order stating that the Klamath tribes hold an enforceable senior right to the water in Klamath Lake and several of its tributaries."

Read the whole story here

Agreement Reached on Klamath River

Now the tough part begins: lawsuits, environmental studies, finding the money to take down the dams and then the actual demolition of those dams. For those who haven't seen them, the dams involved are large, functional structures that have been on the Klamath River for many, many years. Bringing them down will be a monumental achievement, and if it happens, may restore one of the greatest salmon runs on the west coast.

Court upholds water for fish before farms

"A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld a ruling forcing a federal irrigation project to boost flows in the Klamath River to help threatened salmon, even if it means shutting off water to farms." Hopefully, this ends the litigation and opens the door to a cooperative solution between upstream and downstream interests. Read more...