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Communication at the NABS Annual meeting, Keystone, 2000
(438) RESTORING WETLAND ACREAGE AND FUNCTION WITHIN THE KLAMATH BASIN, OREGON.
M. Stern1 and P.V. McCormick2. 1The Nature Conservancy, 821 SE 14th, Portland, OR 97214, 2The Nature Conservancy, 303 Pine Street, Suite 101, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
The Klamath Basin along the Oregon-California border contains one of the largest lake-wetland complex in the western US and represents a center for biodiversity within the region. Human development within the basin during the past century has reduced wetland acreage and contributed to the hyper-eutrophication of Upper Klamath Lake, a major aquatic resource in the basin. In 1996, The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with federal, private, and tribal stakeholders, initiated restoration of 3700 acres of wetlands on agricultural lands surrounding the Lake. Project objectives are to: (1) restore habitat for endangered fish species and other wildlife; (2) reduce nutrient loads to the Lake. Restoration options were first determined based on elevation mapping, identification of cultural resource sites, and an evaluation of soil contaminants. A portion of the project was flooded in the fall of 1997 and drawn down the following spring to assess the potential for natural re-vegetation of the site. Successful establishment of wetland species in flooded areas indicate that re-vegetation of the site may be achieved without active planting. Final project design will depend on the feasibility of linking reflooded lands to adjacent lake and riverine habitats and using portions of the site for phosphorus removal.
Presented at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 31, 2000 in Wetlands
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