Klamath

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will conduct a sediment flushing release from Keno Dam beginning February 20, 2026 at approximately 6:00 AM, increasing flows by about 4,000 cfs followed by a gradual ramp-down to around 700 cfs by early March. While this will create high-water boating opportunities, river users should expect potentially dangerous, rapid increases in flow and river level on February 20 and possibly at unpredictable times during the ramp-down. Based on last year’s operations, the 4,000 cfs flow increase and resulting 4-foot river rise may occur within about one hour. Greater rises are expected downstream where the river narrows in canyons. The Keno, Big Bend, Hells Corner, Beswick, K’íka·c’é·ki Valley, K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon, Iron Gate, and Mid-Klamath runs as far as Seiad Valley may be affected. People on the river or along the banks may have little time to react to rapidly rising water. Use extreme caution and monitor conditions closely.

The August 2, 2022 debris flows and flash floods that originated in the McKinney Fire burn area have introduced large amounts of debris to the Klamath River at and below Humbug Creek. This is on the popular Tree of Heaven section and includes the Schoolhouse play wave reach. The stretch of river between Gottville and downstream of the town of Klamath River is within the fire footprint and portions of this reach burned at very high intensity.

As of 2024, most of this debris has now moved (or been removed), but remain aware of additional hazards on this reach of river as a result of the debris flows that continue to occur whenever sever rainstorms hit the McKinney Fire burn area.