Klamoth Water Basis

The Klamoth Water Basin Crisis

In this case study, students examine global water shortage problems in the context of the current Klamath Basin water crisis. Two main perspectives are addressed, agriculture and the environment, along with multiple other perspectives including Native Americans, hydroelectric dams, and the fishing industry. Students learn about and discuss competing interests for water and analyze and critique scientific data, maps, and graphs. 

Important Note: Native Americans are considered sovereign citizens of BOTH their own tribe and the United States. So, negotiating with Native Americans means that they have the same rights and respect due to them (according to the Federal Code), as negotiating with a country like Great Britain or Saudi Arabia.

The Case to Consider

Power point overview

YOUR TASK Come up with a compromise that you feel deals with all the issues in a fair and equitable manner. Detail this viewpoint using a poster, and an accompanying narrative. Your poster must include a pie chart that divides the water available. 

You must deal with:

fresh water shortages
the purpose of a wildlife refuge
Native American rights
fishing rights, including harvest, spawning, and various methods of capture
hydroelectric dams and their purposes
community needs
agricultural irrigation needs


Grading:

Poster: 20 points....10 points comes from visual appeal, 10 points comes from content, including the rationale for your decision and your water distribution pie chart.

Narrative 30 points... This is one page. It must include 7-9 reasons for your decision and who benefits and who loses for EACH decision.

Group size MUST be 2 or 3 people.