Klamath Basin Climate


The following is one paragraph concerning precipitation on semi-arid land in Arizonia. I would think that most climatologists would state that most semi-arid land in the United States recieves on average about 6 inches of precipitation annually.

"Precipitation varies from 1 to 12 inches annually, averaging about 6 inches. Most of the precipitation occurs as liquied rainfall during two seasons, summer and winter. Summer rains are largely in the form of thunderstorms, with high-intensity events, with rainfall occurring intermittently for several days. Normally, relative humidities are low throughout the year, except during the storm periods."

Managing Semi-Arid Watersheds <http://ag.arizona.edu/OALS/watershed/index.html>

The Upper Klamath Basin precipitation per Ken Rykbost: "When data are averaged by decade, a fairly consistent range of about 12 to 14 inces annually is observed. . . . Crater Lake receives an average of more then 500 inches of snowfall . . .and has a long-term average annual precipitation of approximately 65 inches (Climatological Data Oregon)."

If you go here: Climate Data <http://www.ocs.orst.edu/ocs_data.html>

you will find the yearly precipitation records for Klamath SSW (elevation of 4100') from 1900 to 2001. The year listed with the least amount of precipitation was 1959 with 7.31 inches and the highest year was 1996 with 21.05 inches.

Part of the Klamath Basin's watershed is Chiloquin (elevation of 4190'). In 1983, Chiloquin received 30.50 inches of precipitation.

Crater Lake NP (elevation of 6408') had 100.12 " in 1950 and only 42.08" in 1976.

Keno (elevation of 4120') had 38.64' in 1998. The precipitation at Keno is not available for the Klamath Basin farmers, but it does add to the Klamath River flow below the Project and helps lower river stakeholders.

When you look at these numbers for precipitation in the watershed of the Upper Klamath Basin and the average precip for the basin floor, how can anyone call this place arid!!!!!!!!!!!!! It doesn't even classify as semi-arid.

According to the information on this website: Climate Classifications (http://www.ssec.org/idis/gate/States/codes.htm) we are classified as "Highlands". Far eastern Oregon is classified as "Steppe".

Even though we are considered part of "The Great Basin" which extends from Mexico to the upper reaches of the Columbia basin, we are situated on the far western edge of the Basin. Because of the Cascade Range, we recieve much more precipitation then many areas of Nevada, the Black Rock Desert, etc.


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