Klamath Falls (/ˈklæməθ/KLAM-əth) is a city in, and the county seat of, Klamath County, Oregon, United States. The city was originally called Linkville when George Nurse founded the town in 1867. It was named after the Link River, on whose falls the city was sited. The name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1893.[5] The population was 21,813 at the 2020 census. The city is on the southeastern shore of the Upper Klamath Lake.
Logging was Klamath Falls's first major industry.
History
Etymology
At its founding in 1867, Klamath Falls was named Linkville.[6] The name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1892–93.[7] The name Klamath (/ˈklæməθ/)[8] may be a variation of the descriptive native for "people" (in Chinookan) used by the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau to refer to the region.[9]
The Klamath and Modoc peoples were the first known inhabitants of the area. The Modocs' homeland is about 20 miles (32 km) south of Klamath Falls, but when they were forced onto a reservation with their adversaries, the Klamath, a rebellion ensued and they hid out in nearby lava beds.[10] This led to the Modoc War of 1872–1873, which was a hugely expensive campaign for the US Cavalry, costing an estimated $500,000, the equivalent of over $8 million in 2000. 17 Indigenous people and 83 Americans were killed.[11]
The Applegate Trail, which passes through the lower Klamath area, was blazed in 1846 from west to east in an attempt to provide a safer route for emigrants on the Oregon Trail.[12] The first non-Indigenous settler is considered to have been Wallace Baldwin, a 19-year-old civilian who drove fifty head of horses in the valley in 1852.[13] In 1867, George Nurse, named the small settlement "Linkville", because of Link River north of Lake Ewauna.
The Klamath Reclamation Project began in 1906 to drain marshland and move water to allow for agriculture. With the building of the main "A" Canal, water was first made available on May 22, 1907. Veterans of World War I and World War II were given homesteading opportunities on the reclaimed land.[14]
Timber harvesting through the use of railroad was extensive in Klamath County for the first few decades of the 20th century. With the arrival of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in 1909, Klamath Falls grew quickly from a few hundred to several thousand. Dozens of lumber mills cut fir and pine lumber, and the industry flourished until the late 1980s when the northern spotted owl and other endangered species were driving forces in changing western forest policy.[15]
On September 20, 1993, a series of earthquakes struck near Klamath Falls.[16] Many downtown buildings, including the county courthouse and the former Sacred Heart Academy and Convent, were damaged or destroyed, and two people were killed.
The city made national headlines in 2001 when a court decision was made to shut off Klamath Project irrigation water on April 6 because of Endangered Species Act requirements. The Lost River sucker and shortnose sucker were listed on the Federal Endangered Species List in 1988, and when drought struck in 2001, a panel of scientists stated that further diversion of water for agriculture would be detrimental to these species, which reside in the Upper Klamath Lake, as well as to the protected Coho salmon which spawn in the Klamath River. Many protests by farmers and citizens culminated in a "Bucket Brigade"[17] on Main Street May 7, 2001, in Klamath Falls. The event was attended by 18,000 farmers, ranchers, citizens, and politicians. Two giant bucket monuments have since been constructed and erected in town to commemorate the event. Such universal criticism resulted in a new plan implemented in early 2002 to resume irrigation to farmers.
Low river flows in the Klamath and Trinity rivers and high temperatures led to a mass die-off of at least 33,000 salmon in 2002.[18] Dwindling salmon numbers have practically shut down the fishing industry in the region and caused over $60m in disaster aid being given to fishermen to offset losses.[19] 90% of Trinity River water is diverted for California agriculture. As much as 90% of the Trinity's water, which would otherwise flow into the Klamath and out to sea, instead rushes south toward California's thirsty center.[18]
According to a National Academy of Sciences report of October 22, 2003, limiting irrigation water did little if anything to help endangered fish and may have hurt the populations.[20] A contrary report has criticized the National Academy of Sciences report.[19] The Chiloquin Dam has been removed to help improve sucker spawning habitat.
In 2021 tensions between locals and the Federal Government led two local farmers to purchase land at the headgates in Klamath Falls, OR. These farmers have ties to the Ammon Bundy People's Rights organization[21] and are preparing for a potential standoff situation with the government.[22]
Geothermal heating
Klamath Falls is located in a known geothermal resource area. Geothermal power has been used directly for geothermal heating in the area since the early 1900s. A downtown district heating system was constructed in 1981 and extended in 1982. There was public opposition to the scheme. Many homes were heated by private geothermal wells, and owners were concerned that the city system could lower the water level and/or reduce water temperatures. System operation was delayed until 1984 following an aquifer study. Full operational testing showed no negative impact on the private wells. The system was shut down again in 1986 after multiple distribution piping failures were discovered. By 1991, the distribution piping had been reconstructed, and the system was again operating. The system has been expanded since then, and according to the Oregon Institute of Technology, the operation is "at or near operational break-even". The system is used to provide direct heat for homes, city schools, greenhouses, government and commercial buildings, geothermally heated snowmelt systems for sidewalks and roads, and process heat for the wastewater treatment plant.[23]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.66 square miles (53.51 km2), of which 19.81 square miles (51.31 km2) is land and 0.85 square miles (2.20 km2) is water.[25] The elevation is 4,094 feet (1,248 m).[2]
Klamath Falls has a high desert landscape. The older part of the city is located above natural geothermal springs. These have been used for the heating of homes and streets, primarily in the downtown area.[26]
Climate
Klamath Falls is known as "Oregon's City of Sunshine" because the area enjoys 300 days of sun per year.[5] The Klamath Falls area is a high desert and features a climate with cold, snowy winters along with hot summer afternoons and cool summer nights. Under the Köppen climate classification the city's climate type is Csb, often described as warm summerMediterranean. Using the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm preferred by some climatologists, Klamath Falls is a Dsb climate, often described as warm summer humid continental.
Typical of its region, Klamath Falls has a dry season in summertime, with the greatest precipitation occurring in wintertime, a substantial proportion falling as snow. Although it is not arid or semi-arid, total precipitation is still low, at 13.41 inches (340.6 mm) per year, due to Klamath Falls being in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains to the west. The wettest "rain year" has been from July 1955 to June 1956 with 21.78 inches (553.2 mm) and the driest from July 1954 to June 1955 with 6.09 inches (154.7 mm).[27] Annual snowfall averages around 36.5 inches (93 cm), with the most on record being 100.6 inches (256 cm) between July 1955 and June 1956; in contrast, only a trace of snow fell between July 1991 and June 1992. The maximum snow depth has been 36 inches (91 cm) on January 3, 1901.
The all-time record high is 105 °F (40.6 °C), set on July 27, 1911, and the all-time record low is −24 °F (−31.1 °C), set on January 15, 1888.[28] The freeze-free season averages around 120 days,[29] with the first freeze in a typical year being on September 21, and the last freeze being on June 1.[30][31] On average 18.2 days per year reach 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher, and 1.9 nights per year reach temperatures of 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or lower.
Climate data for Klamath Falls, Oregon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present)
As of the census of 2010, there were 20,840 people, 8,542 households and 4,876 families residing in the city.[38] The immediate neighboring Census Designated Place of Altamont, Oregon had a population of 19,257. The population density was 1,052.0 inhabitants per square mile (406.2/km2). There were 9,595 housing units at an average density of 484.4 per square mile (187.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.4% White, 1.0% African American, 4.3% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.5% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.8% of the population.
There were 8,542 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.9% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.98.
The median age in the city was 33.6 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 14.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
Ragland Theater in downtown Klamath Falls
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 19,462 people, 7,916 households, and 4,670 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,089.5/sq mi (420.7/km2). There were 8,722 housing units at an average density of 488.3/sq mi (188.5/km2).
11.7% had a female householder with no husband present
41.0% were non-families
32.4% of all households were made up of individuals
11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older
The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.99.
The age distribution was:
25.5% under the age of 18
13.1% from 18 to 24
27.2% from 25 to 44
21.5% from 45 to 64
12.8% who were 65 years of age or older
The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,498, and the median income for a family was $37,021. Males had a median income of $31,567 versus $22,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,710. About 21.9% of the population and 16.2% of families were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those 65 or over.
Klamath Falls is a home rule municipality under the Oregon Constitution, and has been governed by a council–manager form of government since its citizens voted to adopt the current charter in 1972.[41] The city council, which is nonpartisan, has five members, each elected from one of the five wards. They serve four-year terms, which are staggered so that either two or three seats are up for election every two years. The mayor, who is nonpartisan and serves a term of four years, presides over all city council meetings. This official appoints committees, can veto any ordinance not passed with the affirmative vote of at least four council members, and casts tie-breaking votes. The city manager, however, is the administrative head of the city. This official is appointed by the council and serves an indefinite term at the council's pleasure. The municipal judge and the city attorney are appointed on the same basis. Todd Kellstrom was mayor from 1992 to 2016. Carol Westfall is the current mayor, having beaten Kellstrom in the 2016 election.[42] Jonathan Teichert is the current city manager.[43]
Fixed-route public transit service is operated by Basin Transit Service, a special service district with an elected board. Oregon POINT connects Klamath Falls with Medford and Brookings, Oregon.[45] Sage Stage provides weekly service to Alturas, California.[46]
^"Area - Land & Water". 2010 U.S. Gazetteer files. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
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