Southern Oregon & Northern California News
Latest local news from Southern Oregon and Northern California, covering Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Jackson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Siskiyou County, Del Norte County, and communities throughout the region.
Critical Water Begins Reaching Klamath Basin Refuges
Critically needed water is beginning to reach Tule Lake and Lower Klamath national wildlife refuges after weeks of concern over drying wetlands, avian botulism, and migratory bird losses. The deliveries follow months of coordination among agriculture, Tribes, conservation groups, and federal agencies.
Grasshopper Threat Builds in the Basin
Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets are active again across the Klamath Basin, raising concern for producers already seeing hatches, crop-edge pressure and repeated treatments near the Oregon-California state line.
Klamath Water Users Disappointed After Appeals Court Decision on Endangered Species Act
The Klamath Water Users Association says it is disappointed after a Ninth Circuit decision affirmed that the Bureau of Reclamation has authority to operate the Klamath Project in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. KWUA says it is reviewing the ruling and evaluating possible next steps.
Drought Relief Workshop Set for Klamath Project Irrigators
Klamath Project irrigators have an upcoming opportunity to learn more about 2026 drought relief programs during a Friday workshop at the Klamath Water Users Association office in Klamath Falls. Applications for the programs are due by 5 p.m. June 15.
Klamath Basin Agriculture Faces Severe Irrigation Shortfall
The initial irrigation water allocation for the Klamath Project in 2026 is expected to fall significantly short of agricultural needs, according to the Klamath Water Users Association. The Bureau of Reclamation announced 221,000 acre-feet from Upper Klamath Lake, just over half of what is typically required. Officials say drought conditions, minimal snowpack, and regulatory constraints are contributing factors, and more than 40,000 acres may need to be idled this season.
KWUA Warns of Reduced Water for 2026
The Klamath Water Users Association is warning of reduced irrigation water deliveries for the 2026 season due to extremely low snowpack. Officials say up to 40,000 acres may need to remain unirrigated to preserve water later in the year. A community meeting is planned to discuss conditions and next steps.
Public Meeting Set for Klamath Irrigation District Modernization Project
The Klamath Irrigation District is seeking public input on a proposed infrastructure modernization project aimed at improving water delivery efficiency and strengthening drought resilience across the basin. An in-person public meeting is scheduled for April 9 in Merrill, where community members can learn about the proposal, ask questions, and provide feedback on the draft plan.
Water Users Respond to 2026 Water Plan
KWUA says the 2026 Klamath Project Annual Operations Plan sets water management parameters but stops short of confirming irrigation allocations, which are expected by April 1.
Reclamation Completes ESA Reassessment for Klamath Project
The Klamath Water Users Association announced that the Bureau of Reclamation has completed a reassessment of how the Endangered Species Act is applied to the Klamath Project, a move described as a key step toward improving long-term water supply predictability in the Basin.