Status Klamath Rainbow/Rainbow Trout Dams in Scenario. Klamath River Rainbow Trout Peaking Reach Klamath River

The purpose of this document is to provide an outline for a presentation by ODFW staff to the expert panel on redband, rainbow and bull trout which will provide input for the secretarial determination of whether to remove the four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. The expert panel will evaluate if the continued operation of the four main stem hydro electric facilities is in the best interest of the people of the United States and if fisheries will benefit.

ODFW has compared a scenario of continuing to operate the Klamath Hydroelectric Project status quo with no reintroduction of anadromous fish versus removal of the four Klamath Hydroelectric dams, implementation of the KBRA and reintroduction and volitional re-colonization of anadromous fish. ODFW has extensive information on trout populations in the Klamath basin and will present information on how removal of the Klamath River dams and implementation of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement will effect the population of redband, rainbow, and bull trout. For redband trout ODFW answered the general questions for the expert panel and gave a brief summary of current status of the population and status of redband trout with KBRA implemented with dam removal. An outline was developed covering the major points affecting the health of rainbow and bull trout populations in the Upper Klamath Basin.