the mid klamath

Overview of the Mid Klamath Subbasin

The Mid Klamath subbasin is defined as the portion of the Klamath River watershed and its tributary watersheds between Iron Gate Dam (river mile 190.1) and the Trinity River confluence (river mile 43.4), excluding the Shasta, Scott and Salmon Rivers. Nearly all of this area is in Northern California with a very small amount of subbasin area in Southern Oregon.

The Mid Klamath subbasin is influenced adjacent Klamath River subbasins (the Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath, and Trinity River drainages) and by the direct effects of tributary rivers (the Shasta, Scott, and Salmon Rivers) which flow into the Klamath within the area of the Mid Klamath subbasin.

Upper & Lower Subdivisions of the Mid-Klamath Subbasin

Klamath River Subbasin Map

The Mid Klamath subbasin is further divided into upper and lower portions. The upper Mid-Klamath includes the main stem and all tributary watersheds between Iron Gate Reservoir and Seiad Creek, excluding the Scott and Shasta Rivers.  The lower Mid Klamath includes the main stem and all tributary watersheds between Grider Creek and Weitchpec, excluding the Salmon River. This division is based on climate and land ownership differences within the Mid-Klamath subbasin.  The lower, more western portion has a Pacific Maritime influenced climate and is dominated by United States Forest Service lands while the upper, more eastern portion has an Interior and Continental climate and mixed federal and private ownership.