Assessment of Long Term Water Quality Changes for the Klamath River Basin Resulting from KHSA, KBRA, and TMDL and NPS Reduction Programs

This assessment, prepared by the Water Quality Sub Team (WQST) in support of the Secretarial Determination for the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KSHA) process, qualitatively considers anticipated water quality effects in the Klamath Basin under the No Action and the Proposed Action alternatives. Under the Proposed Action Alternative (positive determination for dam removal), anticipated restoration measures related to KSHA and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) are considered, with regard to pace and potential for achieving water quality improvements. The primary purpose of this assessment is to discern the relative impacts of the Proposed Action as compared with the No Action alternative, including how these actions may interact with existing and proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation efforts and other ongoing water quality related programs in the Klamath Basin. The assessment represents the most comprehensive consideration to date of potential water quality related actions under KHSA and KBRA that would either directly or indirectly affect water quality in the Klamath Basin.