{"id":4937,"date":"2021-08-04T14:30:36","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T21:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seedingjustice.org\/?p=4937"},"modified":"2026-04-29T12:38:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T19:38:41","slug":"the-ambo-fund-water-for-the-klamath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seedingjustice.org\/es\/the-ambo-fund-water-for-the-klamath\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ambo Fund, Water for The Klamath"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Since time immemorial, the Klamath Tribes have relied on the endemic c\u2019waam (Lost River sucker) and koptu (shortnose sucker) fish populations, that only swim in the Upper Klamath Lake, to survive.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the mid-20th century, the c\u2019waam were so abundant that tribal elders said you could walk across their backs. For the last 35 years however, the Klamath Tribes haven\u2019t eaten either.<\/span><\/p>\n

For decades, since even before the Klamath Tribes were reinstated in 1986, populations of the fish have been drastically falling due to dammed waterways; unchecked and unlawful drainage for irrigation by nearby, non-Native farmers and ranchers; and the systematic destruction and removal of riparian zones along the basin. In 1988, c\u2019waam and koptu were placed on the endangered species list. Today, only about 19,000 fish are left. <\/p>\n

Tribal Council Secretary Roberta Frost says the Klamath Basin has been living far beyond what its water budget can tolerate, which has resulted in the declining health of Upper Klamath Lake. <\/p>\n

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\u201cWe cannot keep pretending to be surprised by poor water years and conflicts among agriculture and endangered species, nor can people hope to keep relying on single year, quick-fix bailouts to paper over the systemic problems,” Frost said. “The catastrophe of this year throws into stark relief how desperately the Basin needs to move to a more sustainable footing.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Alongside low water levels, annual toxic algae blooms kill most of the young fish that are the future of the species. Adult fish can live for 30 years or more, but most are reaching the end of their natural lifespans. Scientists with the Tribes fear they could be extinct in fewer than 5 to 10 years. <\/p>\n

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\u201cThe collapse of c\u2019waam and koptu fisheries has marched virtually in lock step with the declining health of Upper Klamath Lake, the largest body of freshwater west of the Rocky Mountains,\u201d Councilwoman Willa Powless said. \u201cThe lake was once a major destination for boating, birding, wildlife watching, paddling, and fishing. Today, people avoid the lake from late spring into fall in most years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In partnership with the Klamath Tribes, Seeding Justice is proud to present the Ambo Fund, which accepts contributions from foundations and individuals to directly benefit The Klamath Tribes as they work to save the endangered c\u2019waam and koptu fish populations in the upper Klamath Lake. Their goal is to provide fish restoration to upper Klamath Lake, rebuild riparian areas, and continue to defend their rightful ownership of water rights in the basin.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is an opportunity for everyday people to show their support for the Klamath Tribes in a real and tangible way,\u201d said Seeding Justice Executive Director Se-ah-dom Edmo. \u201cThe drought has only exacerbated the declining health of the Upper Klamath Lake. If we don’t act now, we likely won’t get another chance.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDonate to the Ambo Fund<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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