Catalog Record
Upper Klamath River Basin Surface Water Hydraulic Modeling Report and Data from the Klamath River Basin Revised Natural Flow Study
This Record documents the hydraulic analyses conducted in support of the Klamath River Basin Revised Natural Flow Study. Components of the hydraulic analyses needed for the prediction of daily streamflow estimates include the surficial movement and storage of water across the landscape. Methods and results presented include: (1) area-capacity relationships for Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath, and Tule Lakes, (2) rating curves (relationships between water surface elevation and discharge) at the downstream hydraulic control of Upper Klamath Lake under 1981–2020 and pre-development conditions, and (3) pre-development streamflow losses through the Lost River Slough and streamflow exchanges with Lower Klamath Lake. Results within the report can be used to aid in calculation of daily streamflow. Surficial water area and storage have decreased greatly from pre-development to 1981–2020 conditions. Modeling of the hydraulic control at Upper Klamath Lake indicates that pre-development water surface elevations as compared to 1981–2020 conditions would be higher at low streamflow and lower at high streamflow. Finally, pre-development modeling between Link River and Keno, Oregon indicates that the Klamath River diverted a portion of streamflow through the Lost River Slough to Tule Lake at flood discharges. The results presented within the report were delivered to RiverWare as look-up tables to aid in the calculation of daily streamflow. The hydraulic models and topobathymetric data are also included. The Natural Flow Study was undertaken to better understand the complex Upper Klamath River Basin and inform future management strategies. To develop daily streamflow estimates, the Natural Flow Study is using a variety of methods and models to simulate different parts of the water budget including hydraulic analyses. Results from all methodologies and modeling of each portion of the water budget will be compiled within a RiverWare model to estimate daily natural streamflow under 1981–2020 and pre-development conditions.
Generation Effort
Klamath River Basin Revised Natural Flow Study
Location
Klamath River Basin
Themes
Water
Reclamation Project
Klamath Project
Reclamation Program
Location Information
Location Name
Klamath River Basin
Location Description
The Klamath River flows northeast to southwest from its headwaters near Crater Lake in southern Oregon to its outflow at the Pacific Ocean in northern California. The Klamath River Basin is typically divided into two regions: The Upper Klamath River Basin and Lower Klamath River Basin. The Upper Klamath River Basin drains all catchments above the former Iron Gate Dam (lowest former dam on the Klamath River) in California. Located in the rain shadow on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountain Range, the Upper Klamath River
Basin has an arid climate. The Upper Klamath River Basin features Oregon’s largest natural lake by surface area—Upper Klamath Lake—and relatively high urban and agricultural development. In contrast, the Lower Klamath River Basin, which is in the Pacific Coastal Range and encompasses the watershed downstream of former Iron Gate Dam, receives more precipitation than the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Lower Klamath River Basin encompasses large areas of northern California and Pacific Northwest conifers and hardwoods. The Lower Klamath River
Basin has no major natural lakes and less urban and agricultural development than in the Upper Klamath River Basin.
Location Parent
State(s)
California, Oregon
Unified Region(s)
California-Great Basin
Timezone
Elevation
[ N/A ]
Vertical Datum
[ N/A ]
Coordinates (lat, long)
See
Location Details
Horizontal Datum
WGS84
