Contributions from Paul Hanson at Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM / 102.5FM and The Herald & News
Friday, April 5, 2019
KLAMATH BASIN WEATHER
Saturday
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 50.
Sunday
A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 54.
Monday
Rain. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52
See Road Camera Views:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiwy 97 at Chemult
Hiwy 140 at Bly
Hiwy 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
TODAY’S KLAMATH BASIN NEWS HEADLINES & STORIES…
Rainy Weekend Ahead, River Warnings Issued
A long-duration atmospheric rainfall is expected late Saturday through Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Medford.
Rivers are expected to rise west of Klamath Falls, however residents should pay close attention to local rivers as well, especially the Link River
A cold front approaching tonight and moving through Friday will bring moderate rain and moderate to strong winds to the coast, Shasta Valley, mountains and areas east of the Cascades.
Wetter than average precipitation is expected Saturday through Monday.
Snow levels above 7,000 feet and heavy rain late Saturday through Monday will result in significant rises to area rivers, streams, and creeks, especially west of the Cascades and in Siskiyou County. There is increasing concern for flooding Saturday night into Monday.
A few mainstem rivers are expected to reach their banks, and the NWS encourages one to keep a close watch on river forecasts, as well as the general forecasts and forecast discussions.
Oregon may spring forward…permanently
SALEM — Oregon took a step toward moving to year-round daylight saving time on Thursday, as the state Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that could stop the changing of the clocks for most Oregonians.
Like 47 other states, Oregon “springs forward” by an hour every March, then “falls back” to standard time every November. If Senate Bill 320 becomes law, all but one of Oregon’s 36 counties would spring forward and never fall back — but only if Congress approves the time change and neighboring Washington and California also adopt daylight time on a permanent basis.
The Senate voted 23-4 in favor of SB 320. Both the support and opposition were bipartisan, with two Democrats and two Republicans voting no.
“People are sick of the switch,” Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, the bill’s chief sponsor, said.
Lawsuits Will Challenge New Water Plan
Irrigation water users in the Klamath Project will challenge the new federal rules
restricting irrigation water supply for the Project. The plan, adopted by federal agencies on
April 2, will be in effect for five years, and includes new rules and limitations based on the
Endangered Species Act.
“We’re disappointed this is necessary, but it’s just not enough water. We will lose rural
communities,” said Klamath Water Users Association President Tricia Hill. “Even with this
nice, wet winter it is doubtful we will have enough in 2019.”
Klamath Irrigation District has filed its lawsuit in federal district court in Oregon, and
another will be filed jointly by Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath Drainage District,
Shasta View Irrigation District, Tulelake Irrigation District, and individual farmers Rob Unruh
and Ben DuVal. “The agencies have worked hard to get this done early, which is a benefit,”
said DuVal. But a downside of that is that some things got overlooked. We intend to deal with
the agencies and other parties constructively, but we have to protect our communities.”
The new limitations are based on protection for endangered suckers in Upper Klamath
Lake and coho salmon in the Klamath River.
“There has been a long history of this kind of approach, focusing on the Klamath Project because it is easy to regulate, and it’s not helping the species,” said KWUA Deputy General Mark Johnson. “That makes it even harder to see this.”
Bonanza nonprofit studies community center
CHILOQUIN — Members of a Bonanza nonprofit are learning all they can about how to create and sustain a community center in Bonanza over the course of the next five years.
Bonanza Cares board members toured the Chiloquin Community Center on Wednesday morning, eager to learn what works and what doesn’t for other communities in the Basin. Members of the total seven-member board plan to tour the community center in Tulelake as well.
The unofficial study by board members may be followed by a feasibility study starting as early as May if the non-profit hears back from the Ford Family Foundation on a $5,000 grant application. The study will determine much of the details of what the community center would look like and whom it would serve in Bonanza.
Danise Brakeman and fellow board members listened intently as Bill Wilkins, executive director of the center, shared how the center started before the group toured the facility.
…For complete details on these and other stories see todays Herald & News. Wynne Broadcasting and the Herald and News…stronger together to keep you informed.