At the headwaters of the Klamath River lies the Sprague River, a vital artery coursing through the Upper Klamath Basin before flowing into Upper Klamath Lake. The outflow of Upper Klamath Lake is the start of the Klamath River. In essence, the Sprague is the Klamath’s headwater stream. Essential to the region’s ecology and agriculture, the Sprague has long grappled with challenges stemming from nutrient loading and water quality impairments that ripple downstream, affecting ecosystems all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Much of this impairment stems from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ modifications made decades ago to straighten the river and build levees to control flooding. The unintended consequences of these actions include less dependable groundwater stores, nutrient loading, and declining fish populations. These problems are now further exacerbated by climate change.
Possibly the biggest problem today is nutrient loading. The Upper Basin is a volcanic system naturally high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Floodplains and seasonal wetlands offer plant communities that consume these nutrients. When these pieces of the ecosystem are missing, the result is that these nutrients end up in Upper Klamath Lake, initiating water quality problems and algae blooms that persist all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Enter the Upper Klamath Basin Ag Collaborative (UKBAC) — a community led effort to address these challenges. Formed in 2022, UKBAC is a voluntary coalition of ranchers, Tribal members, conservationists, and community leaders. Their mission is to forge sustainable solutions that bolster agricultural resilience while restoring the ecological integrity of the Upper Klamath Basin. This collaborative approach acknowledges that the health of the land, water, and communities are all deeply interconnected.
In 2023, UKBAC’s transformative vision received a significant boost: a $6 million federal grant to develop a Sprague River restoration plan and structure for private landowner engagement. This funding empowers UKBAC to develop large-scale restoration projects through a stakeholder driven process that collectively aims to elevate water tables, slow water flow, and retain moisture—strategies designed to rejuvenate the river’s ecosystem and enhance its capacity to support both wildlife and agriculture. While these funds were frozen for 3 months, the congressionally appropriated dollars are now available as planned.
UKBAC’s initiatives are not just about environmental restoration; they’re also about community empowerment. By fostering partnerships and facilitating access to resources, UKBAC is helping local ranchers and farmers adapt to environmental challenges, ensuring that agricultural traditions can continue sustainably for generations to come.
Larry Nicholson, Executive Director of UKBAC and a Fort Klamath rancher, stressed the role of agriculture in his community, “We promote the concept that sustainable restoration can’t be done without equal consideration to ag resiliency.” This philosophy underscores UKBAC’s commitment to a balanced approach that recognizes the interdependence of environmental health and agricultural vitality.
The Sprague River Collaborative Restoration Project, currently in its first phase, exemplifies this integrated strategy. Spanning 85 river miles, the project is a collaborative endeavor involving the Klamath Tribes, non-profits like Trout Unlimited, government agencies, and private landowners. Together, they’re working to restore instream and riparian habitats, reduce erosion, and decrease nutrient loading—efforts that promise to improve fisheries and water quality throughout the Klamath Basin.
The Klamath River Fund proudly supports UKBAC’s efforts. They were awarded a grant earlier this year to continue this important work. “Sustainable agriculture is one of our focus areas,” explains KRF Program Officer Holly Hensher. “UKBAC is addressing fundamental ecological issues while supporting more resilient farming and ranching practices.”
As the KRF team looks to the future, the work of UKBAC can serve as a model for holistic watershed management — demonstrating that collaborative, community-driven approaches can lead to meaningful change. By addressing water quality problems at the source, starting with the Sprague River, UKBAC is laying the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient Klamath River system from top to bottom – and that’s something we can all support.
For more information on UKBAC’s initiatives and how you can get involved, visit ukbac.org or check out this article from Klamath Tribes News.