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Evaluating the potential for watershed restoration to reduce nutrient loading to Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

January 1, 2007

A literature review of best management practices to reduce nutrient loading was performed to provide information for resource managers in the Klamath Basin, Oregon. Although BMPs have already been implemented in the watershed, some sense of their effectiveness in reducing phosphorus loading and their cost for installation and maintenance is still lacking. This report discusses both causes of nutrient loading and a wide-variety of BMPs used to treat or reduce causal factors. We specifically focused on cattle grazing as the principal land-use and causal factor for nutrient loading in the Klamath Basin above Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. Several BMP types, including stream corridor fencing, riparian buffer strips and constructed wetlands, seem to have potential for reducing phosphorus loading that may result from cattle grazing. However, no single BMP is likely to be the most effective in all locations or situations.

Publication Year 2007
Title Evaluating the potential for watershed restoration to reduce nutrient loading to Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
DOI 10.3133/ofr20071168
Authors Paul V. McCormick, Sharon G. Campbell
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2007-1168
Index ID ofr20071168
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Fort Collins Science Center