CH2MHILL
REFERENCE: United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)
Klamath Project Operation Plan (KPOP)
Task 4 System Description and Operations
DATE: September 15, 1995
SUBJECT: Key Facilities Associated with the Klamath Project
PROJECT: 116771.39.40
The purpose of this Technical Memorandum is to provide a description of the key facilities associated with the Klamath Project. Aspects of the PacifiCorp hydroelectric system are also described because their operations are related to project operations. There are three reservoirs providing water supply to the Project area: Upper Klamath Lake, Gerber Reservoir, and Clear Lake Reservoir. The Upper Klamath Lake is the key source of water for the Project and is regulated from Link River Dam. The Upper Klamath Lake Reservoir has an active capacity of 465,000 acrefeet, Gerber Reservoir has an active capacity of 94,000 acrefeet, and Clear Lake Reservoir has an active capacity of 513,000 acre feet (Reclamation, 1992).
There are a number of diversion dams and pumping facilities in the Project. The key facilities diverting and pumping water into or out of the Project are as follows:
Miller Diversion Dam capacity of 190 cubic feet per second (cfs)
Malone Diversion Dam capacity of 220 cfs
Lost River Diversion Dam - capacity of 3,000 cfs
Station 48+00 Turnout capacity of 500 cfs
Miller Hill Pumping Plant capacity of 105 cfs
Plant D capacity of 388 cfs
Klamath Straits Drain Pumping Plants F & FF capacity of 600 cfs
Anderson Rose Diversion Dam capacity of 800 cfs
The Project has approximately 19 canals, with a total length of 185 miles and diversion capacities ranging from 35 cfs to 1,150 cfs.
East Canal at Malone Diversioncapacity of 30 cfs
West Canal at Malone Diversioncapacity of 150 cfs
North Canal at Miller Diversioncapacity of 190 cfs
Lost River Diversion Channelcapacity of 3,000 cfs
A Canal from Upper Klamath Lakecapacity of 1,150 cfs
North Canal from Klamath Rivercapacity of 200 cfs
ADY Canalcapacity of 400 cfs
Klamath Straits Drain Canalcapacity of 600 cfs
PacifiCorp Hydroelectric System (Link River components are project connected):
Link RiverEast Side Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 975 cfs
Link RiverWest Side Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 250 cfs
J. C. Boyle Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 2,500 cfs
Copco No. 1 Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 3,000 cfs
Copco No. 2 Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 3,000 cfs
Fall Creek Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 50 cfs
Iron Gate Hydroelectric Developmentflowline conveyance capacity of 1,735 cfs
An additional 7.4 miles of conveyance associated with hydroelectric development has diversion capacities ranging from 50 cfs to 3,000 cfs.
The purpose of this Technical Memorandum is to provide a description of the key facilities associated with the Klamath Project. The memorandum will discuss the following items:
Sources of water/storage facilities
Major diversion and pumping facilities
Conveyance facilities
Operating agencies
Operations constraints
Several reports, documents, and figures have been developed over the years summarizing the key facilities of the Klamath Project. A review of this information was performed and pertinent information has been summarized in this memorandum. CH2M HILL also visited the Klamath Area Office to discuss with Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) staff the key facilities and constraints associated with the Project. Several of the irrigation districts in the project were also visited. PacifiCorp provided all information regarding their hydroelectric developments on the Klamath River system.
The Klamath Project is located in Upper Klamath River and Lost River Basins situated in southern Oregon and northern California. On May 5, 1905, The Secretary of the Interior authorized development of the Klamath Project under provisions of the Reclamation Act of 1902 (32 Stat. 388). Construction began on the project in 1906 with water first made available on May 22, 1907. An overall schematic of the Klamath Project and key facilities are provided in Figure 1. Based upon discussions with Reclamation (Bryant, 1995), there are two distinct systems within the Project area; Lost River System and Klamath River System. Although considered distinct, the Lost River System and the Klamath River System are connected.
There are four watersheds that provide the source of water for the Project Area. The Upper Klamath River watershed is the largest and produces the most water for the various uses in the Project. The Clear Lake, Malone, and Gerber watersheds are all located in the Lost River Watershed. Storage facilities have been developed within each of the watersheds excluding Malone Watershed.
There is an additional 818 square miles of drainage area associated with PacifiCorp storage facilities at four hydroelectric developments on the Klamath River. These facilities include Keno Dam, J. C. Boyle Dam, Copco No. 1 Dam, and Iron Gate Dam. The total reservoir capacity at Keno Dam is 18,500 acrefeet. J. C. Boyle Dam has a total reservoir capacity of 3,377 acrefeet with an active storage capacity of 1,507 acrefeet and a maximum surface area of 420 acres. Copco No. 1 Dam has a total reservoir capacity of 17,774 acrefeet, with an active storage capacity of 4,802 acrefeet and a maximum surface area of 1,000 acres. The total reservoir capacity at Iron Gate Dam is 58,000 acrefeet, with an active storage capacity of 7,364 acrefeet and a maximum surface area of 944 acres. (PacifiCorp, September 1, 1995).
The watershed to Upper Klamath Lake is the key source of water for the Klamath Project. Upper Klamath Lake is the major storage reservoir for the Project and has a drainage area of 3,812 square miles. Link River Dam was constructed at Upper Klamath Lake under contract with Reclamation in 1921. Currently, the contract with PacifiCorp controls the operation of the dam to control the elevation of Upper Klamath Lake within defined elevation limits, ranging from 4,137.0 feet to 4,143.3 feet. However, under critical water supply years, the operations of the dam is controlled by Reclamation (Bryant, 1995). The dam is a reinforced concrete slab structure with a height of 22 feet and a crest length of 435 feet. The total reservoir capacity is 873,000 acrefeet with an active storage (amount of water available for releases to downstream users) capacity of 465,000 acrefeet. The maximum water surface area of Upper Klamath Lake is 90,900 acres (Reclamation, 1992).
Most of the drainage area of Clear Lake Watershed (670 square miles) is located in California and drains into Oregon through the Lost River. Clear Lake Reservoir and Dam is the principal storage reservoir in this watershed and is located on the Lost River about 19 miles southeast of Malin, Oregon, and 20 miles east of Tule Lake, California. The reservoir was constructed by Reclamation during 1908 through1910 and provides a total capacity of 527,000 acrefeet. The active storage capacity is 513,000 acrefeet with a maximum surface area of 25,800 acres. Due to the extremely high seepage and evaporation loss of the reservoir, the reservoir has a firm annual yield (minimum amount of water available every year) of 12,000 acrefeet. The spillway is an uncontrolled overflow sidechannel weir with a crest elevation of 4,552 feet and capacity of 5,650 cfs. The outlet structure is a concrete conduit through the base of the dam controlled by two 4 and 5ft slide gates at upstream ends. The outlet structure has a capacity of 1,000 cfs (Reclamation, 1992).
The Gerber Watershed drains into the Lost River through Miller Creek. Gerber Dam and Reservoir was constructed by Reclamation on Miller Creek between 1924 and 1925 and is located 33 miles southeast of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and 14 miles east of Bonanza, Oregon. Gerber Reservoir has a total capacity of 94,000 acrefeet with an active storage capacity of 94,000 acrefeet and surface area of 3,800 acres. This reservoir is one of the major sources of water for the Langell Valley and Horsefly Irrigation District. The spillway crest elevation is 4,835.4 feet and has a capacity of 10,000 cfs at elevation 4,841.9 feet. The outlet structure consists of three steel pipes through the base of the dam that are controlled by high pressure slide gates. The capacity of the outlet is 1,000 cfs (Reclamation, 1992).
Throughout the course of the development of the project, a number of diversion and pumping facilities were constructed on the Lost River and Klamath River Systems for diversion of the project water to the water users. Below are descriptions of the main diversions and pumping facilities within the Project area.
Lost River Diversion DamLost River Diversion Dam was constructed in 1912 on the Lost River about 4 miles below Olene, Oregon. The purpose of this dam is to divert excess water to the Klamath River through the Lost River Diversion Channel and reduce downstream flow to Lost River in order to control flooding of the reclaimed portions of the Tulelake bed. The crest elevation of the darn is 4097 feet and has a diversion capacity of 3,000 cfs.
AndersonRose Diversion DamAndersonRose Dam is located on the Lost River about 3 miles southeast of Merrill, Oregon, and was constructed in 1921. This diversion dam diverts water to serve the lands within the Tulelake Irrigation District. The crest elevation of the dam is 4,064 feet and has a diversion capacity of 800 cfs.
Malone Diversion DamThe Malone Diversion Dam is located on the Lost River about 11 miles downstream from Clear Lake Dam. This diversion dam diverts water to lands in Langell Valley. The dam was constructed in 1923 and has a crest elevation of 4,160.3 feet. The diversion capacity is 220 cfs.
Miller Diversion DamMiller Diversion is located on Miller Creek about 8 miles below Gerber Dam. This diversion dam diverts water to lands in Langell Valley. The dam was constructed in 1924 and has a crest elevation of 4,227 feet. The diversion capacity is 190 cfs.
Harpold DamHarpold Dam is located on the Lost River about four miles west of Bonanza. This Dam was constructed in 1912 and has a sill elevation of 4,102.9 feet. The flash board control has an elevation of 4,108 feet. This dam was constructed and owned by Horsefly Irrigation District.
Station 48+00 TurnoutStation 48+00 Turnout diverts Lost River and Klamath River water into Lost River below Lost River Diversion Dam. Water ordered by Tulelake Irrigation District is delivered by Reclamation at this point. The turnout has a capacity of 550 cfs.
Miller Hill Pumping PlantMiller Hill Pumping Plant diverts Lost River and/or Klamath River water into Miller Hill. The pumping facility has a capacity of 105 cfs.
Pumping Plant "D" and Tule Lake TunnelPumping Plant "D" and Tule Lake Tunnel were constructed from 1940 through 1941 and diverts water from Tule Lake into P Canal, which serves Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. The tunnel is 6,600 feet long and has a capacity of 250 cfs. The pumping plant "D" has a total dynamic head of 78 feet and pumping capacity of 388 cfs.
Klamath Straits Drain Pumping FacilitiesThe Klamath Straits Drain pumping facilities were constructed to pump drainage water collected in the Klamath Straits Drain from Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and other irrigated land back to the Klamath River. There are two pumping facilities located along the Straits Drain canal: pumping facilities E and EE, and pumping facilities F and FF. Each pumping facility has a pumping capacity of 600 cfs.
Link River DamLink River Dam located at the outlet of Upper Klamath Lake was completed in 1921. The dam regulates the level of Upper Klamath Lake and diverts water for the East Side and West Side power plants. The crest elevation is 4,143.2 feet. The facility is operated according to an agreement between Reclamation and PacifiCorp (Bryant, 1995).
Keno DamKeno Dam located near Keno, Oregon, was completed in 1967 to regulate the flow of the Klamath River and maintain Lake Ewauna elevation. The crest elevation is 4,086 feet.
J. C. Boyle DamJ. C. Boyle Dam is located on the Klamath River about 1 mile downstream of the Oregon State Highway No. 66 crossing. It was completed in 1958 to store and divert water for the J.C. Boyle powerhouse. The dam has a crest elevation of 3,800 feet and a diversion capacity of 2,500 cfs.
Copco No. 1 DamCopco No. 1 Dam is located on the Klamath River about 35 miles downstream of Upper Klamath Lake in California, near the Oregon border. The dam was completed in 1918 to store and divert water for the Copco No. 1 powerhouse. The dam has a crest elevation of 2,613.2 feet and a diversion capacity of 3,000 cfs.
The Copco No. 2 Diversion Dam is located on the Klamath River about 1/4mile downstream of the Copco No. 1 Dam. Construction was completed in 1925 to divert water for the Copco No. 2 powerhouse. The dam has a crest elevation of 2,493.2 feet and a diversion capacity of 3,000 cfs.
Fall Creek Diversion DamFall Creek Division Dam is located on Fall Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River, about 0.4 miles south of the Oregon / California border. Construction began in 1902 to divert water for the Fall Creek powerhouse. The dam has a crest elevation of 3,253.4 feet and a diversion capacity of 50 cfs.
Iron Gate DamIron Gate Dam is located on the Klamath River about 7 miles downstream of the Copco No. 2 Dam, 10 miles east of Hornbrook, California. The dam was completed in 1962 to regulate the flow of the Klamath River and divert water for the Iron Gate powerhouse. The crest elevation is 2,343 feet and the diversion capacity is 1,735 cfs.
The Klamath Project has approximately 19 main canals with a total length of 185 miles and diversion capacities ranging from 35 cfs to 1,150 cfs. The Klamath Project has 19 main canals with a total length of 185 miles and diversion capacities ranging from 35 cfs to 1,150 cfs. Below is a summary of the major facilities conveying water throughout the project area. Conveyance systems within each individual irrigation district served by Project water is not included in the summary.
A CanalThe A Canal was constructed in 1906 and 1907 and conveys water from Upper Klamath Lake (Link River Darn) southeast through Klamath Falls into the project area The canal is 8.7 miles long and has a capacity of 1,150 cfs. The A Canal splits into B and C Canal.
B CanalThe B Canal was constructed in 1906 and 1912 and conveys water from the end of A Canal east to the vicinity of Olene, Oregon. This canal is 4.1 miles long and has a capacity of 290 cfs.
C CanalThe C Canal was constructed in 1907 1908 and conveys water from A Canal generally southeast to Merrill, Oregon. This canal is 13.5 miles long and has a capacity of 330 cfs. Towards the upper portion of this canal is a C to G Canal connection diverting water from the C Canal into G Canal. This CG Canal is 0.9 mile long and has a capacity of 400 cfs.
D CanalThe D Canal was constructed in 19131914 and conveys irrigation water from C and G Canals to J Canal. This canal is 18.6 miles long and has a capacity of 300 cfs.
E CanalThe E Canal was constructed in 1912 and is located in the vicinity of Olene, Oregon, and runs east along the north side of Lost River. This canal is 10.5 miles long and has a capacity of 35 cfs.
F CanalThe F Canal was constructed in 1912 and is located in the vicinity of Olene, Oregon, and runs east and west on the south side of Lost River. This canal is 11.2 miles long and has a capacity of 90 cfs.
G CanalThe G Canal was constructed in 1913 through 1915 and is located in the vicinity of Lost River Diversion Works at CG Canal southeast along the Lost River to the vicinity of Merrill, Oregon. This canal is 8.5 miles long and has a capacity of 400 cfs.
J CanalThe J Canal was constructed in 1921 and enlarged in 193537. This canal runs from Anderson RoseDiversion Dam southeast to the vicinity of Newell, California. This canal is 23.4 miles long and has a capacity of 800 cfs.
M CanalThe M Canal was constructed in 19471948 and is located in the vicinity of Newell, California, east of Tule Lake Restricted Sump. This canal is 6.5 miles long and has a capacity of 100 cfs.
N CanalThe N Canal was constructed in 19351966 and is located on the east side of the Tule Lake Restricted Sump. This canal is 26.5 miles long and has a capacity of 300 cfs.
P CanalThe P Canal was constructed in 19411942 and conveys water from Pumping Plant "D" to the lower south and east portions of the Lower Klamath Lake. This canal is 1.8 miles long and has a capacity of 200 cfs.
P-1 CanalThe P1 Canal was constructed in 19411942 and conveys water from Pumping Plant "D" to the east and northern portions of the Lower Klamath Lake. This canal is 9 miles long and has a capacity of 250 cfs.
R and Q CanalsThese canals were constructed in 1960 and are located in the south portion of the Tule Lake Restricted Sump. Canal Q and R are 3.9 and 3.2 miles long, respectively, and have a capacity of 130 and 76 cfs, respectively
North Canal along Klamath RiverNorth canal was constructed in 1948 and runs from the Klamath River north of Furber Marsh southeast to the Northeast corner of Lower Klamath Lake. This canal is 12 miles long and has a capacity of 200 cfs.
ADY CanalADY Canal was constructed in the 1920's and conveys water from the Klamath River near the Straits Drain outlet south to the Klamath Drainage District and Lower Klamath Lake. This canal is 5 miles 1ong and has a capacity of 400 cfs.
Lost River Diversion ChannelThe Lost River Diversion Channel is approximately 8 miles long running from the Lost River Diversion Dam west to the Klamath River. This channel carries excess water to the Klamath River and supplies additional irrigation water (Klamath River) for the lands in Tule Lake area. This Channel was constructed in 19111912 and enlarged in 1930 and 1950. The channel capacity is 3,000 cfs.
North Canal at Miller CreekNorth Canal was constructed in 19241925 and conveys water from Miller Diversion Dam northwest to Dry Lake. This canal is 14.4 miles long and has a capacity of 190 cfs.
West and East Canal at MaloneWest Canal was constructed in 19241925 and conveys water from Malone Diversion Dam north to Dry Lake on the south side of Lost River. This canal is 12.1 miles long and has a capacity of 190 cfs. East Canal at Malone was constructed in the 1930's and conveys water east of the diversion dam. This canal is 2 miles long and has a capacity of 30 cfs.
East Side Development-The East Side Development was constructed in 1924. It is located on the east bank of Link River and consists of a 670footlong forebay and 3,090 feet of penstock that feed into a powerhouse. The development has a capacity of 975 cfs through the forebay and penstock and is operated according to an agreement between Reclamation and PacifiCorp.
West Side DevelopmentThe West Side Development is located on the west bank of Link River and was constructed in 1908. The development consists of a 5,575footlong canal and 140 feet of penstock that feed into a powerhouse. The capacity through the forebay and penstock is 250 cfs. The facility is operated according to an agreement between Reclamation and PacifiCorp.
J.C. Boyle DevelopmentThe J. C. Boyle Development was constructed in l958 and is located on the Klamath River about 1 mile downstream of the Oregon State Highway No. 66 crossing. The development has a capacity of 2,500 cfs through 13,147 feet of flume and tunnel, and two parallel 925footlong penstocks.
Copco No. 1 DevelopmentThe Copco No. 1 Development was constructed in 1918 and is located on the Klamath River about 35 miles downstream of Upper Klamath Lake. The development consists of three parallel penstocks, 594 feet in total length, feeding two units at the Copco No. 1 powerhouse. The total capacity through the penstocks is 3,000 cfs.
Copco No. 2 DevelopmentThe Copco No. 2 Development was constructed in 1925 and is located about 1/4mile downstream of the Copco No. 1 Dam. The development consists of 4,863 feet of tunnel and pipes, and 817 feet of penstock feeding two units at the Copco No. 2 powerhouse. The total capacity through the tunnels, pipes, and penstocks is 3,000 cfs.
Fall Creek DevelopmentThe Fall Creek Development was constructed in 1902 and is located on Fall Creek near the Copco No. 2 Development. The development consists of 4,560 feet of canal and 2,834 feet of penstock feeding into a powerhouse. The capacity through the canal and penstock is 50 cfs.
Iron Gate DevelopmentThe Iron Gate Development was constructed in 1962 and is located about 7 miles downstream of the Copco No. 2 Dam. The development consists of 681 feet of penstock feeding into a powerhouse on the Klamath River. The capacity through the penstocks is 1,735 cfs.
The only canals that are diverting water directly from the main sources of water supplying the Project are A Canal, Lost River Diversion Channel, North Canal on the Klamath River, ADY Canal, North Canal at Miller Creek, and West and East Canal at Malone Diversion. All of the other conveyance facilities are used to move the water to the desired locations within the Project area.
PacifiCorps conveyance systems which are diverting water include Link RiverEast Side and West Side Hydroelectric Developments, J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1 and No. 2, and Iron Gate Dams. These hydroelectric developments diverting water at the dams return it to the river at the powerhouses.
There are a number of groups or organizations assigned by Reclamation to operate the various facilities within the Project area. The organizations associated with the operations of the Project are Reclamation, PacifiCorp, Tulelake Irrigation District, Langell Valley Irrigation District, and various other irrigation districts. Table 1 provides a summary of the key facilities assigned to each agency:
Key Facility |
Assigned Organization |
Clear Lake Dam |
Bureau Of Reclamation |
Gerber Dam |
Bureau Of Reclamation |
Lost River Diversion Dam and Channel |
Bureau Of Reclamation |
Klamath Straits Drain |
Bureau Of Reclamation |
Link River Dam |
PacifiCorp (Reclamation takes over operation during critical water supply years |
Malone Diversion Dam |
Langell Valley Irrigation District |
Miller Diversion Dam |
Langell Valley Irrigation District |
Harpold Dam |
Horesfly Irrigation District |
Pumping canals and pumping facilities |
Individual irrigation districts (such as KID,TID and KDD) |
Operations constraints are due to either the capacity of the system and/or timing of needs in relation to water supply availability and/or regulatory requirements. System capacity constraints have been discussed in previous sections of this Technical Memorandum. Other nonsystem operating constraints are described in the following documents:
Draft Biological Criteria Technical Memorandum describes biological considerations for Project operations necessary to address Endangered Species Act and lower Klamath River anadromous fish needs. Reference is also made to ongoing studies related to loss of habitat and low lake levels that may be included in the project modeling as information becomes available.
Draft Water Needs of the Contract Water Users of the KlamathTypically, water is delivered to agricultural users during an irrigation season that extends from April through October. Information on the timing and quantities of deliveries is contained in the Draft Technical Memorandum Water Needs of the Contract Water Users of the Klamath Project.
Constraints for hydroelectric operations are established in FERC License No. 2082 and in agreements between the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and PacifiCorp for the Link River facilities.
The Klamath Project was authorized on May 15, 1905, under provisions of the Reclamation Act of 1902. From the beginning of construction of the A Canal in 1906 and first available water in May 22, 1907, the Project has expanded over the years to include three reservoirs, several diversion dams and/or pumping facilities, and 19 canals with a total length of 185 miles and diversion capacities ranging from 35 cfs to 1,150 cfs. The key facilities used to divert and convey water into and out of the Project area from the water supply sources (i.e. Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath River, Gerber Reservoir, and Clear Lake Reservoir) are:
Upper Klamath Lake/Klamath River
A Canal
Lost River Diversion Channel
Miller Hill Pumping Facility
Station 48+00
Lost River Diversion Dam
Lower Klamath Lake/Klamath River
North Canal on Klamath River
ADY Canal
Straits Drain
Lost River System
East/West Canal at Malone Diversion Dam
North Canal at Miller Creek Diversion Dam
Harpold Diversion Dam
Lost River Diversion Channel
Miller Hill Pumping Facility
Station 48+00
Lost River Diversion Dam
Pump Station "D"
PacifiCorp Klamath River Hydroelectric Developments (all but Link River outside project)
Link River Dam
East Side Development
West Side Development
Keno Dam
J.C. Boyle Development
Copco No. 1 Development
Copco No. 2 Development
Fall Creek Development
Iron Gate Development
Bryant, Jim/Bureau of Reclamation. July 13 and 14, 1995. Personal Communication and Review of Water Diversion Files and Crop Reports. Meeting at Bureau's office.
Bureau of Reclamation. Undated. "Klamath Project. California Siskiyou and Modoc Counties Oregon: Klamath County. MidPacific Region. Water and Power Resources Service."
Bureau of Reclamation. Actual Data on the Klamath Project 686850. 1992. MidPacific Region, Sacramento, California
Bureau of Reclamation. August 3, 1993. Klamath Project Water Rights General Information Klamath Project.
Bureau of Reclamation. June 1994. Strategies for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to Meet Its Changing Goals and Missions. U.S. Bureau Reclamation Klamath Project.
Bureau of Reclamation. April 1995. Klamath Project 1995 Operations Plan. Klamath Basin Area Office, BOR.
PacifiCorp. September 1, 1995. Fax Transmittal of System Description to CH2M HILL, Portland, Oregon.