Biological Opinions on the Effects of Proposed Klamath Project Operations from May 31, 2013, through March 31, 2023, on Five Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species

The Klamath Basin’s hydrologic system currently consists of a complex of interconnected rivers, canals, lakes, marshes, dams, diversions, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. Alterations to the natural hydrologic system began in the late 1800s and expanded in the early 1900s, including water diversions by private water users, Reclamation’s Project, and several hydroelectric dams operated by a private company, currently known as PacifiCorp. PacifiCorp’s Klamath Hydroelectric Project (KHP) was constructed between 1911 and 1962, and includes eight developments: (1) East and (2) West Side power facilities at Link River Dam; (3) Keno Dam; (4) J.C. Boyle Dam; (5) Copco 1 Dam; (6) Copco 2 Dam; (7) Fall Creek Dam; and (8) Iron Gate Dam (IGD). The Link River Dam and Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) are not part of the KHP. PacifiCorp operated the KHP under a 50-year license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) until the license expired in 2006. PacifiCorp continues to operate the KHP under annual licenses based on the terms of the previous license. In 2001, the Services issued BiOps on the effects of Reclamation’s Project operations on listed species, and concluded that the proposed Project operations would likely jeopardize the continued existence of the Lost River sucker (LRS) and the shortnose sucker (SNS) in UKL (USFWS 2001) and the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) (NMFS 2001a). Because of a severe drought in 2001 and the jeopardy BiOps, Reclamation limited the volume of water delivered to Project agricultural users, and to the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges.