ABSTRACT
The Upper Klamath Basin (UKB) is a high desert region straddling the California-Oregon border east of the Cascade Range. Because precipitation averages approximately 25% of potential evapotranspiration, irrigation is necessary for crop production. Irrigated agriculture is the basis of the local economy. The UKB is the location of wildlife refuges that are critical for migrating waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway, and one of the sources of the Klamath River, which is important for its scenery, trout, and anadramous fisheries. Two native fish species in Upper Klamath Lake are listed as endangered, and steelhead trout and coho salmon also are listed or are likely to be listed as threatened or endangered in the Klamath River in the near future.
