‘Short of need’: 2026 irrigation water supply will suffer, Klamath Water Users Association says

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In alignment with the current drought-like conditions across the west, the Klamath Water Users Association says this year's irrigation water supply will be "woefully short of the needs of family farms and ranches".

The Bureau of Reclamation recently measured an initial supply of 221,000 acre-feet in Upper Klamath Lake, which is only around half of the necessary water supply for the area.

Here are more details from the news release shared by Klamath Water Users Association:

“It’s much less than what we want to hear, although realistically not less than what we expected at this time,” said KWUA Executive Director Elizabeth Nielsen. “The entire west is in a drought, with negligible snowpack remaining in the Klamath Basin. On top of that, we have an unworkable set of regulatory requirements that can’t be changed in time for this season.”

In an April 1, 2026 letter, KWUA and irrigation districts jointly informed Project water users of
the likely shortfall, stating: “This will be yet another year when you, your family, and other
farmers and ranchers will be required to make tough decisions to ensure the survival, rather than the prosperity, of generational family operations.” 

KWUA Board President Scott Seus, who farms in the Tulelake area, stated that “we know too well how water shortage damages our farming operations, our neighbors in the regional economy, and the wildlife that shares our landscape.” He added, “at the same time, we can point to some things that can help and that give me hope.”

For example, Reclamation may have flexibility that will allow an increased amount of water to be
announced later. “That would not solve all the problems, but could be a real help to some
operations,” according to Mr. Seus.

The Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (DRA), a local agency of irrigation districts, will operate programs “to stretch the limited supply” by offering growers an alternative to idle land for the entire season rather than conduct otherwise limited irrigation, explained Marc Staunton, DRA President and Project farmer. 

It is anticipated that Project irrigators will need to idle in excess of 40,000 acres during 2026. “We are very grateful to our Congressional delegation and Reclamation; thanks to their efforts, the DRA will have a robust program to help the entire basin through this drought,” added Mr. Staunton.

KWUA also characterized 2026 as a “bridge year,” noting that Reclamation has begun an Endangered Species Act (ESA) re-consultation process that will lead to a different regulatory framework in future years.

“Right now, our drought problem is made worse by an ESA regulatory framework that was hurriedly adopted at the end of 2024,” said Mr. Seus. “The Administration has rightly recognized that framework is out of touch with the approach used elsewhere and needs to be corrected.” 

Reclamation plans to complete the re-consultation process before the 2027 irrigation season.

Mrs. Nielsen added that while KWUA wishes that a revised framework was in place now, “it is important that the work be deliberate, durable, and defensible. We believe the federal agencies are doing the right thing, and they are doing it the right way.”

KWUA’s priority actions in the upcoming months will include sharing information and coordinating with local, state, and federal parties to get through the 2026 season, along with encouragement and cooperation to promote the prompt completion of the ESA re-consultation.