THE KLAMATH RECLAMATION PROJECT. 



only outlet, over a rim-rock, is Link River, a stream which has a length of 

 about one mile and a fall in that distance of 56 feet, emptying into Lower 

 Klamath Lake. This latter lake extends from Klamath Falls, Oregon to 

 Laird, Siskiyou County, California, a distance of 25 miles. The depth of 

 water varies from one to twelve feet and a heavy growth of tules marks 

 the greater area. The lake has an elevation of 4086 feet and an area of 

 about 80,000 acres. Except for a large drainage channel, which will prob- 

 ably be navigable, Lower Klamath Lake will be reclaimed by drainage and 

 evaporation and subsequent irrigation. Its outlet at Keno into the Klam- 

 ath River will be deepened twelve feet by a rock cut. 



The second reservoir is Clear Lake, in Modoc County, California, where 

 a restraining dam must be constructed. The outlet of the lake is Lost River 

 which flows north through rich valley lands in Oregon and then turns south, 

 emptying after a course of 60 miles into Tule Lake, situated partly in 

 Oregon but chiefly in California. Clear Lake has an elevation of 4533 feet. 

 Its waters will be utilized in irrigating about 60,000 acres of land in Lang- 

 ells, Yonna and Poe Valleys. Lost River, upon leaving Poe Valley, de- 

 bouches upon the Klamath Plateau and from this point its waters will be 

 diverted, through a drainage channel, into Klamath River, thus depriving 

 Tule Lake of its source of supply. It is expected that by evaporation 50,000 

 acres now covered by the waters of Tule Lake, which has no surface out- 

 let, will be reclaimed. 



The estimated cost of the Reclamation System is $4,500,000 or 

 an average cost of $18 per acre, the smallest cost per acre of any project 

 whose construction the Government has yet undertaken. The Government 

 is ready to advertise for bids for the initial work and construction will prob- 

 ably begin this year. 



There will be no public land under the project subject to entry for sev- 

 eral years. The Government holdings are practically confined to the water- 

 covered lake lands and will not be thrown open to entry until fully reclaimed 

 and ready for cultivation. As the Government will not sell a water right 

 for more than 160 acres to any one person, a considerable acreage of the 

 private holdings is upon the market at prices ranging from $10 to $50 

 per acre, depending upon the amount of improvements, state of cultivation, 

 quality of soil and nearness to market. For particular information relative 

 to land the officials of the Reclamation Service refer inquirers to the Secre- 

 tary of the Klamath Water Users' Association, Klamath Falls, Oregon. 



The growing season, owing to the high altitude and consequent frost, 

 is comparatively short, but the soil is very fertile and the grasses, grains, 

 vegetables and the hardier fruits are successfully grown. Great areas of 

 mountain and hill country stretch away in every direction, affording excellent 

 outrange, and even under present conditions some 25,000 head of beef 

 cattle are driven to market annually. Klamath County sells each year 

 to the United States army many horses which bring from $1 25 to $1 50 each. 

 Beets, grown experimentally, show a high percentage of sugar. Tests show 

 the tule soil to be extremely rich and especially adapted to the growing 

 of celery, asparagus, potatoes, and fodder for dairy animals. 



The timber resources of the Klamath region are enormous. The esti- 

 mates of experts as to the pine and red fir forests tributary to Upper Klam- 

 ath Lake, range from 10 billion to 15 billion feet. 



The climate is healthful and attractive. Many delightful nooks and 

 corners, forest-covered mountains, expansive lakes and crystalline, trout 

 stocked streams tempt the city folk who take summer outings; and not the 

 least important is the beautiful and mysterious Crater Lake — one of the- 

 wonders of the West. The shot-gun devotee finds nowhere such duck, 

 geese and swan shooting as these mountain lakes afford. 



The Klamath country is one of vast undeveloped resources of vast 

 possibilities. With the construction of the government irrigation system 

 and the building of railroads to carry the products to market, both achieve- 

 ments of the immediate future, golden opportunities for the farmer, the 

 stock-man, the manufacturer and the business man will present them- 

 selves. 9 



