Wildlife Refuges and Wetlands

(Update Nov. 14): Wildlife at risk as Bush-backed agreement links dam removal to harmful proposed settlement deal.

One hundred and fifty years ago early settlers in the Klamath Basin were met by a vast expanse of 350,000 acres of wetlands, shallow lakes and marshes; they fished a roaring, salmon rich river winding through hundreds of miles of western countryside, and were amazed by the spectacular migrations of geese, eagles, and other birds.  

Half a century ago, during the peak of fall migration, over 7 million waterfowl and 1000 overwintering bald eagles could be found in the Klamath Basin at one time. 

Home to invaluable wildlife species and remarkable territory, the basin wetlands drew the attention of conservationists from across the nation, including President Theodore Roosevelt.  In 1908 President Roosevelt designated 81,000 acres of marsh and open water in Lower Klamath Lake as the first National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl.  Twenty years later, Tule Lake joined the Refuge System when Franklin Roosevelt authorized the protection of 37,000 acres in what was Tule Lake. 

Unfortunately, their visionary actions to protect these fragile and important wetlands have been undermined by a century of mismanagement and abuse.  The US Bureau of Reclamation’s massive Klamath Irrigation Project, initiated in 1905, paved the way for extensive agricultural development that destroyed thousands of acres of wetland, and drained much of what was Lower Klamath and Tule Lakes.  In recent decades, continued agricultural development, excessive water diversions, agricultural pollution, and drought have further damaged the remaining wetland habitat. 

Interested in learning more?  Our Refuges in Peril allows you to explore the history of these vital wildlife area, and what can be done to preserve them. Adobe Acrobat reader required to view.

More Refuge News:

Our letter to Congress asks for support of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges during the 2009 Administrative transition.  This noncontroversial letter calls for a more balanced vision that includes the needs of the refuges. 

A beautiful summary fact sheet on the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges, Lower Klamath and Tule Lake, illustrates their fantastic habitat and current struggles. 

August 2008 marks the 100th Anniversary of Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge gives us cause to celebrate and look to the future...  Read our Op-Ed in the Statesman Journal.

Restoring and protecting the Klamath's National Wildlife Refuges

Interested in what their doing on the refuges?  Check out the US Fish and Wildlife Service weblinks:

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge