| · Klamath Project Begins |
May 15, 1905 — After Oregon, California and the U.S. complete the necessary legislation, Secretary of Interior Ethan Hitchcock authorizes $4.4 million to build the Klamath Project. The government immediately allocates $1 million to begin construction.
1906 — Construction begins with the building of the A Canal using horse teams. Heavy snows and wet weather delay construction. Hot springs are encountered during construction, endangering workers and scalding several work horses, which have to be killed.
1907 — Construction on the A Canal headworks is completed by June. Work begins on the East Branch (B) Canal and Keno Power Canal. A levee is constructed by an agreement between Reclamation and the California and Northeastern Railway, paralleling the present Highway 97 south of Klamath Falls.
1908 — President Teddy Roosevelt establishes the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, the nation’s first waterfowl refuge. Construction begins on the South Branch (C) Canal. The canal requires a 4,300-foot flume across the Lost River slough. It uses 722,000 board-feet of red fir lumber. Another 376,000 board feet are required for an embankment. In September excavation begins on Clear Lake Dam, but construction workers frequently leave the job site because they can make more money working as farm laborers. A hundred Bulgarian workers are added to the crew. Originally water was to cost farmers $20 a month, but in 1908 Reclamation raises the fee to $30. Farmers refuse to pay the extra charge. In 1909 the government halts work. The water users association gives in and work resumes.
1909 — Austrians, Montenegrins and Serbians continue construction on Clear Lake Dam. Dikes are built to the south of the dam to retain flood waters. |
|
Updated Wednesday, February 15, 2006 |
|
