Peoplewatch

Klamath River Basin Management Symposium   Under the capable leadership and guidance of Prof. Ken Richards, and the assistance of his V625: Environmental Economics class, SPEA hosted a half-day symposium on Friday, April 9 that explored the many science and policy issues surrounding management of the Klamath River Basin. The Klamath River Basin covers approximately 1 million acres along the Oregon – California border. Upper Klamath Lake is a large (20 mi long; 8 mi wide), shallow lake in the heavily modified basin. Much of the larger Lower Klamath Lake and Thule Lake were drained in the early 1900s for agricultural production. Seven dams and 515 miles of canals carry water from Upper Klamath Lake to irrigate nearly 240,000 acres of cropland. Upper Klamath Lake supports populations of the endangered Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) and the shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris). Discharge from the lake feeds the Klamath River, in which the threatened Klamath River Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) spawns. This sets up a classic western water fight – water for fish vs. farming. In drought years, there isn’t enough water to meet all the needs. In addition, the needs of the two fish populations are sometimes in conflict. Hold water in the lake for the suckers and the salmon run may be affected. Dozens of federal agencies have jurisdictions in the Klamath River Basin and some of these agencies have conflicting opinions and policies. Scientists in the region are divided as well. Taking part in the symposium were three distinguished guests—all IU alumni. Dr. William Lewis (Ph.D. Limnology, 1973) is a professor and director of the Center of Limnology at the University of Colorado. Dr. Lewis chaired a National Research Council panel of experts that reviewed the scientific data and issued a report. Eric Hansen (MPA/MSES ’01) is a program examiner with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Eric has been charged with overseeing and coordinating the federal government’s budget related to water issues in the Klamath River Basin. David Diamond (MSES/MPA ’99) is a program analyst with the Office of Policy Analysis, U.S. Department of Interior. David has been handling analysis of issues related to the Department of Interior’s interest in the Klamath River Basin, including analysis of PacifiCorp’s application for relicensing its hydroelectric dams in the region. As Prof. Deb Backhus explained after attending the symposium, “This is exactly the type of event that SPEA should encourage, foster, and sponsor more often . . . to (1) provide an extraordinary interdisciplinary learning experience, (2) showcase the talents and successes of our alumni, and (3) highlight the value of a SPEA education to our current students.”