Water for the Klamath—A Major Win for Ducks

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A few weeks ago, the Klamath Basin was facing a potentially devastating botulism outbreak. Today, there’s some much-needed good news.

Dr. Mike Brasher, DU's Senior Waterfowl Scientist, reconnects with Jeff McCreary, Director of Operations for the Western Region, to share an important update from the Klamath Basin and the efforts that helped prevent a catastrophic die-off of ducks.

Following months of drought, low snowpack, declining water levels, and an emerging botulism outbreak, conservation partners, water users, agencies, and tribes worked together to move critical water into the Klamath Refuges. Combined with cooler temperatures and rain, those efforts dramatically improved conditions and halted this year's botulism threat. As a result, tens of thousands of newly hatched ducks will be taking flight this fall, boosting the hopes of duck hunters throughout the flyway.

Topics Covered

What changed in the Klamath Basin since the last updateHow collaborative water management helped stop a larger outbreakWhy additional water made such a differenceThe role of cooler weather and rainfallWaterfowl production estimates for the regionWhat this means for Pacific Flyway hunters this fallThe future of the flow-through water conceptWhy DU’s conservation work matters on the ground

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

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