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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University and the University of California released a joint report today that examines the effects of irrigation curtailment in the Upper Klamath Basin during 2001.

Analysis within the joint university report demonstrates that by changing the way water is allocated among farmers, the economic and social effects of a future water shortage could be greatly reduced. But changing allocations requires the states to clarify water rights, and agencies or individuals to be allowed to move water where it is most needed during times of shortage.

The joint university report, "Water Allocation in the Klamath Reclamation Project, 2001,'' goes beyond previous reports by integrating impacts on the people, economy and environment of the Upper Klamath Basin.

Earlier news media stories of fish kills, whistle-blowers and bucket brigades overshadowed attempts to understand and learn from what really happened during last year's water disputes, the report's authors say. The joint university report examines what needs to be considered to keep the crisis from happening again, according to Bill Braunworth, assistant Extension agriculture program leader at OSU and one of 29 authors of the report.

The story is familiar throughout the West, wherever there are more claims on water than there is water to go around.

During the first half of the 20th century, the Klamath Reclamation Project drained and channeled the expansive wetlands that straddle the Oregon-California border to create agricultural fields and wildlife refuges. Shrinking habitat, over-fishing and a host of other problems reduced some native fish populations to the point of listing under the Endangered Species Act. Agencies were required to maintain a minimum amount of water in the lake and river in order to conserve what habitat was left.

In 2001, an ever-worsening drought overwhelmed conservation measures and heightened conflicts over unresolved water rights. With not enough water to go around, irrigation was curtailed for the growing season.

"In the emotionally charged atmosphere following the 11th hour announcement of the irrigation curtailment, there was a great deal of confusion about the extent of the costs and disagreement over who should bear them," said Braunworth.

Farmers and community members, worried about their uncertain future, asked for help. Concerned about inaccuracies reported in the media, they called on research and extension faculty from OSU and UC to assess effects of the irrigation curtailment.

The resulting report by the two universities suggests that economic consequences were not shared equally among people in the community.

People won't see numbers that apply to them individually, according to Ron Hathaway, staff chair of OSU Extension in Klamath County and another author of the report. The economic analysis aggregates gains and losses across the Upper Klamath Basin.

"Total net revenue from farming was reduced," explained Hathaway, "but these losses were reduced in the aggregate, largely offset by the resiliency and creativity of the farm community and by the response from federal and state emergency payments."

"This report is not meant to lay blame or refight old battles," said Hathaway. "It is meant to help us prepare for the next drought cycle by understanding what happened in 2001."

The report concludes: "Any lasting solution to conflicts surrounding allocation of scarce resources requires that the needs of ALL interested parties be addressed. In the Klamath Reclamation Project area, the legitimate interests of Native Americans, irrigators and endangered species all must be recognized and considered."