Abstract Degrading water quality in the Klamath Basin is due to the destruction of wetland and riparian zones. Wetland reclamation and elimination of riparian areas has increased nutrient and sediment loading, erosion, water temperature, turbidity and minimized catchment basins. High phosphorus and pH levels, unionized ammonia, and depressed dissolved oxygen levels are the main water quality concerns. Blue-green algae blooms, a result of high phosphorus levels endangers the survival and reproduction of aquatic organisms. Klamath Basin water quality has degraded within the last century due to human land abuse. Solutions of restoration within the basin are being researched. Water quality continues to suffer. Water Quality Concerns: Chemical, physical and biological aspects l High phosphorus levels: Primary concern due to its promotion of algae growth l Increased water temperature, turbidity and pH (Fig. 2) l Decreased dissolved oxygen levels (Fig. 3) l Increased nutrient and sediment loading – nitrogen and ammonia l Elimination of native species (plants, animals and photoautotrophs) Effects on water quality  Increase in pollutants due to runoff of pesticides and other human land use  Destruction of riparian areas -increase in erosion of land which acted as nutrient and chemical filters -lack of vegetation has caused less shade, warmer water temperatures, higher turbidity and nutrient loading -limited native species and habitats, more invasive plants are now present  Wetlands acted as catchment basins during flooding: -spring flood water would infill wetlands, decreasing erosion and store water -heavy soils acted as sponges *released water slowly into streams throughout the summer *trapped pollutants and wastes which reduced nutrient and sediment input into streams Phosphorus Loading is the Main Concern in the TMDL l TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) set out by the federal Clean Water Act -distributes allowable pollutant loading to meet water quality standards -bodies of water not meeting quality standards are listed as water quality limited - 303(d) (Fig. 4) l Loading by external sources (point and non-point), also by internal sources (volcanic base soils), by re-suspended sediment at lower lake levels (Fig. 5) l Phosphorus plays the main role in the problematic blue green algae blooms - decreases dissolved oxygen (Fig. 2) - increases pH (Fig. 3) - increases eutrophication of Upper Klamath Lake and tributaries Conclusions (1) Water quality degradation stems from human induced land abuse. (2)Environmental issues to be addressed include: erosion (nutrient loading), lack of vegetation (increased water temperature), irrigation and diversion (low lake levels and increased pollutants), wetland and riparian reclamation (loss of catchment basins, sediment traps, nutrient filters and native species). (3) Environmental issues have been recognized, monitoring stations set up and restoration is in progress. (Fig. 8 & 9) (4)Agencies (public and private, state, local and federal) are beginning to coordinate. (5)Land and water rights are being addressed to benefit the valuable ecosystems within the Klamath Basin watershed. (6)Public participation is being solicited and welcomed: Join in to help the Klamath Basin thrive once again! References Marsh, H., Overview of the Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake TMDL: State of Oregon, DEQ, p Rinella, J.F., 2006, Assessment of Nutrient Loading to Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon: Oregon District Hydrologic Studies, PN381, p Snyder, D.T., Morace, J.L., 1997, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading from Drained Wetlands Adjacent to Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey, Report , p U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Programmatic Environmental Assessment: Klamath Basin Ecosystem Restoration Office, , p Van Vleck, G.K. and others,1986, Shasta/Klamath Rivers Water Quality Study: Department of Water Resources, State of California, p Wood, T. and others, 1996, Relation Between Selected Water-Quality Variables and Lake Level in Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon: US Geological Survey, Report , p Klamath Basin Tribal Water Quality Work Group, 2006, Klamath River Water Quality and Problems Posed by the PacifiCorp Project: Land-Use Impacts on Water Quality in the Klamath Basin Prepared by: Katherine Noll, Earth Science Undergraduate, Western Oregon University Environmental Degradation: Why? How much land? Due to government incentives, the Klamath Basin was turned into a mass of agricultural land from its native tributary basin and wetland environment. 1 – 80% of pre-settlement wetlands have been “reclaimed” by agricultural land  Drained by dikes, ditches and pumps to maintain a lower water table (Fig. 1) 2 – Before white settlers: 350,000 acres of wetland existed in the Upper Klamath Basin  By the 1960’s wetland area was reduced to 75,000 acres 3 – Riparian and upland zones have been used for grazing, timber harvesting and urban land use Figure 8. Monitoring sites in Upper Klamath Basin Blue-green Algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) Blooms Controlled primarily by phosphorus, secondarily by light intensity and temperature  Low lake levels - warmer water (<26 o C) - higher light intensity, increases sediment recruitment of algae cells - more wind induced re-suspension of sediment, increases O2 demand and decreases dissolved O2  Hypereutrophic lake conditions -high nutrient levels encourages algae bloom (Fig. 6 & 7)  High pH, high temperature, low O 2 levels = shift from ammonium ions, NH 4 + (plants utilize nitrogen) to unionized ammonia, NH 3 (toxic to plants and organisms) Figure 6. Iron gate reservoir with algae bloom Figure 7. Algae ( periphyton) covered rocks (Klamath Basin Tribal Water Quality, 2006) Figure 1. Wetland reclamation. ( Snyder, 1997 ) Restoration Efforts within the Klamath Watershed (1)Klamath Basin Tribal Water Quality Work Group "to address water quality issues for the Klamath River in order to protect Tribal values, facilitate government-to-government consultations, ensure community health and safety, and to prevent future disasters through sound scientific research, data analysis, and thorough planning.“ (Klamath Basin Tribal Water Quality) (2)Ecosystem Restoration Office (ERO) “funds and provides technical assistance to restoration projects involving private landholders, concerned groups, and other state, federal, and tribal agencies.” (public lands) Riparian, wetland and in-stream projects Upland and road projects (Programmatic Environmental Assessment) (3) Natural Resource Conservation Service Restore 1000 acres wetlands, 5 mi riparian fencing, 2 mi stream bank stabilization and 5000 acres uplands per year on private land. (Programmatic Environmental Assessment) Figure 3. Dissolved O 2 levels.Figure 2. pH levels throughout Klamath River ( Figure 5. External/internal phosphorus loading (Marsh, H.) Figure 4. Upper Klamath Lake, 303(d) areas. ( Marsh, H.) (Marsh, K.) Figure 9. Data from monitoring sites 303 (d) areas are in red (Marsh, K.) ( (Klamath Basin Tribal Water Quality, 2006) Average Total Phosphorus Loading (mtons/year) External Load Internal Load Average Annual TP Loading 466 mtons/yr External Loading 182 mtons/yr 39% of total Internal Loading 285 mtons/yr 61% of total Upper Klamath Lake Agency Lake Sycan R. Williamson R. Sprague R. Klamath Marsh Crater Lake Fishhole Cr Total Phosphorus Loading to the Lake Total Phosphorus Load as a Function of External and Internal Loads