Restoring Harmony in the Klamath Basin

Today, the agricultural region surrounding the Klamath River, which straddles southern Oregon and northern California, is embroiled in conflict. For a century, farmers have used the Klamath’s water for irrigation, but the federal government and Indian tribes have strong claims to the irrigation water as well. In 2001, the federal government cut off water to farmers in order to protect two endangered fish, an act that aroused anger and caused financial distress.