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Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins Nutrient Project

TMDL Title: Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins Nutrient TMDL and WQMP

Water Quality Limited Parameters: Dissolved Oxygen, Chlorophyll a, pH, Ammonia Toxicity 

Pollutants: Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD), Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen

Status: DEQ Issued on Jan. 2019, and EPA approved March 2019.  This project replaced the TMDLs issued in 2017 and 2010

Project summary

DEQ works with partners in the Klamath Basin to protect and restore the health of local waterways. When rivers and streams exceed water quality standards set to protect people and aquatic life, DEQ develops a pollution reduction plan called a Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL. The Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins Nutrient TMDL addresses impairments of dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and chlorophyll-a in these subbasins. The Upper Klamath Subbasin and Lost River Subbasin TMDLs and Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) establish water quality goals for waterbodies in these two subbasins which are within the Klamath Basin. The WQMP lays out steps toward meeting these goals. Water quality improvement programs that lead to TMDL attainment will advance Oregon's commitment to protecting beneficial uses in compliance with State and Federal Law. 

June 2009: Klamath River/Lost River TMDL Implementation

Jan. 2005 and April 2008: Klamath River/Lost River TMDL Development - Revised January 2005 and April 2008

Stewardship Agreement

DEQ along with the California North Coast Water Quality Control Board (NCWQCB) have an agreement to develop and implement TMDL's in their respective states. In addition both EPA Regions 9 and 10 are part of this agreement. Current planning for TMDL coordination amongst the agencies is the Lower Klamath Lake Stewardship Agreement where DEQ, NCWQCB, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA), Tule Lake Irrigation District (TID), Klamath Drainage District (KDD), Langell Valley Irrigation District (LVID), Horsefly Irrigation District (HID) and private land owners are all working on a collaborative plan to TMDL implementation and ultimately water quality improvements. 

For requesting data, models or other information used in this TMDL, please complete a Public Records Request.

Fact Sheet

Feb. 27, 2017: Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins TMDL Fact Sheet

Research documents

​For research documents related to the previous Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins TMDL and Water Quality Management Plan, contact the basin coordinator for the Klamath region.



Contacts

Mike Hiatt
Klamath Basin Coordinator 
541-273-7002

Oliva Stoken
Klamath Basin Specialist
541-714-0034

Gene Foster 
Watershed Management Manager
503-229-5325

Basin Coordinator List

Make a Public Records Request