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SUCKERS/CHILOQUIN DAM

photos by KBC.
The 1992 Biological Opinion developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) states – "the construction of the Sprague River dam near Chiloquin effectively blocked approximately 95% (70 river miles) of the potential spawning range of the Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake".
This is a few hundred yards upriver from Chiloquin Dam, where spawning habitat is blocked off. According to fish biologist Dave Vogel,""Fish passage at Chiloquin Dam was the primary reason the suckers were listed as endangered in 1988 and, in our opinion, is the primary factor limiting recovery of the species." 
See article on consensus to remove dam.  

Modoc Point Irrigation District: Trading a dam for a pump station, H&N, posted  7/22/13. “We felt like we had an agreement with the Tribes,” Long said. “We didn’t think they would call on our water. But we were wrong.”
KBC NOTE: Klamath Tribes shut off water to Modoc Point Irrigation District despite the fact it is not producing more water for the 10's of thousands of "endangered" suckers, and despite the fact they made a deal when Modoc ID supported Chiloquin dam removal to help suckers recover "90%." 
(Chiloquin) Dam will die; irrigators won’t, Capital Press, 12/7/07.

Chiloquin Dam removed, H&N, posted to KBC Sept 1, 2008.

Event marks dam’s demise; Chiloquin Dam removal to begin this month, H&N 7/3/08.  

Media Advisory - Event to be held July 2, 2008, to celebrate the planned removal of Chiloquin Dam, Mid-Pacific Region, Sacramento, Calif, posted to KBC 6/27/08. (KBC NOTE: Chiloquin Dam blocks 95% of endangered sucker habitat. Rather than remove it years ago and generate more suckers, the government and The Nature Conservancy have acquired 100,000 acres of ag land to make swamps in the guise of "sucker habitat". The Klamath Tribe was reluctant to give up their swimming hole. Finally, in 2008 the dam will come out. It provides no hydropower.)

(Chiloquin) Dam will die; irrigators won’t, Capital Press, 12/7/07. HERE for Chiloquin Dam page.{According to fish biologist Dave Vogel, "Fish passage at Chiloquin Dam was the primary reason the suckers were listed as endangered in 1988 and, in our opinion, is the primary factor limiting recovery of the species.")

Contractor to bust another dam; Slayden to remove Chiloquin Dam on Klamath tributary, Capital Press 2/23/07

Contractor picked to remove Chiloquin Dam, H&N, posted to KBC 2/18/07

Bureau of Reclamation Press Release: Klamath Basin (Chiloquin) Dam Removal Will Restore Habitat for Endangered Fish, posted to KBC 2/14/07.

PRESS RELEASE: Walden praises issuance of contract to remove Chiloquin Dam, Walden February 07, 2007

Chiloquin dam to be removed, H&N, posted to KBC 10/23/06. Chiloquin Dam blocks more than 90% of sucker habitat. "Allen Foreman, chairman of the Klamath Tribes, said after Thursday’s ceremony that not all tribe members support dam removal. The structure, built from 1914 through 1918, created fishing and swimming opportunities for generations."

(Chiloquin) Dam removal wins votes, H&N 9/26/06.  

(Chiloquin) dam removal is focus of Modoc meeting, H&N posted to KBC 8/25/06

Vote to decide fate of dam, Herald and News 9/19/06. (KBC Note: Chiloquin Dam blocks 95% of sucker fish habitat, yet the dam remains and gov't agencies continue to take land out of ag to make wetlands in the guise of helping suckers.)

Chiloquin mayor opposes removal of dam, H&N, posted to KBC 3/26/06. "The 1992 Biological Opinion developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) states – "the construction of the Sprague River dam near Chiloquin effectively blocked approximately 95% (70 river miles) of the potential spawning range of the Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake".  

(Chiloquin) Dam removal could help Tribes, H&N 3/9/06

Talks about Chiloquin Dam encouraging, H&N 3/5/06.  

District weighs dam removal, H&N 3/2/06

District considering (Chiloquin) dam removal, H&N 8/3/05 (Chiloquin Dam blocks over 90% of 'endangered' sucker habitat)

(Chiloquin) Dam vote tallied, but results not out, H&N posted to KBC 7/31/05

(Chiloquin Dam) Proposal threatens rights, H&N posted to KBC 7/30/05.

Irrigation district controls (Chiloquin) dam's fate, H&N 7/24/05

The Sucker Scam The feds might remove the Chiloquin Dam which caused the decline of suckers. Send comments by May 27th. Klamath Courier report posted to KBC 5/16/05

Comments sought on Chiloquin dam, H&N posted to KBC 4/30/05.

Dam may be in final year, 6/17/04 H&N.
Should Chiloquin dam go? 6/17/04 H&N. Last year a committee of Tribes, agencies and stakeholders voted unanimously that dam removal was necessary since it blocks over 90% of  'endangered' sucker fish habitat. President Bush fast-tracked 2.1 million dollars for dam removal for sucker habitat. BIA is 'studying' the concept til December while Klamath Basin irrigators are being downsized by over 75,000 acre feet of irrigation water to keep lake levels high for suckers. KBC (jdk)

Evaluating the future of Chiloquin dam, H&N 3/18/04
Push the studies on Chiloquin Dam, H&N Op/Ed 3/18/04

Removal of dam still not a sure thing, H&N 3/16/04. "The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is an arm of the Interior Department, will be handling studies involving endangered species and the environmental impact of removing the dam." Last year a local team of tribes, gov't agencies, scientists and local interests reached a consensus to take out the Chiloquin Dam.  It blocks over 90% of endangered sucker habitat. The Bush Administration funded it's removal to help restore the fish. So they have the BIA, who essentially is responsible for hiring the flawed Hardy Studies and theft of our water, to do the studies. Seems they are in no hurry to do something that might actually lead to delisting the suckers. KBC (jdk)

Press Release DOI: President’s FY 2005 Budget Calls for Unprecedented Help for Klamath Basin, 1/27/04

Feds won't fight judge's ruling on suckers  H&N, posted to KBC 1/26/04.

Department of Justice will appeal delisting of sucker fish, 11/02/03, attorney James Buchal

Report targets dams, 10/26/03 H&N.

Walden Press Release: Walden, Doolittle, Herger Request Resources Committee Hearing to Examine NRC Report on Klamath Water Shut-off, 10/23/03.

Article about the Klamath Tribes, by Brad Harper, 10/22/03, H&N.

Scientists offer Klamath remedies, The Oregonian 10/22/03.

Walden Press Release: NRC Report Confirms 2001 Klamath Water Shut-off Was Not Scientifically Justified; Outlines Roadmap for Recovery of Sucker Fish & Coho Salmon, Klamath Basin Agriculture, Oct. 21, 2003.

Herger, Doolittle and Walden Weigh In on Key Klamath Basin Initiatives, 9/11/03 KWUA update.

Consensus Achieved on Improved Fish Passage at Sprague River Dam, from KWUA newsletter July 11, 2003, by Dan Keppen

 

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