U.S. Increases Water Flows to Help Salmon

Responding to a request from federal wildlife regulators, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has increased water flows from the Klamath River through the Iron Gate Dam to help juvenile salmon reach the ocean.

The National Marine Fisheries Service, which is responsible for protecting threatened coho salmon, requested the increase, said James Lecky, the agency's assistant regional administrator for protected resources.

Bureau spokesman Jeff McCracken said the increase should not affect Klamath Project irrigation deliveries because the bureau won't use project water to keep river levels high.

The California Department of Fish and Game is continuing its investigation into why young salmon were stranded near the dam in early May.