Upper Klamath Basin Habitats - Anders TomlinsonAnders Tomlinson

To see many of the birds, mammals and reptiles of the seven
Upper Klamath Basin habitats click on the blue links.

Cropland and pasture habitat are found mostly at
the lower elevations (4,100-4,200) within the central
and southern portions of the Upper Klamath Basin
watershed. This category includes diverse areas
within the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins such
as towns, smaller communities, rural residential
areas, farms and ranches. The wildlife associated
with these habitats have adapted to living close to
human development and activities. Agricultural in
many areas has become the default habitat for much
of the wildlife due to urban encroachment.

Riparian Habitat is located along the shoreline
of rivers, lakes and wetlands within the Upper
Klamath Basin watershed. Vegetation found in
riparian habitats includes deciduous trees such
as willow, cottonwood and aspen which are found
along the shore lines of these water bodies.
Many bird species use riparian habitats as travel
corridors during the spring and fall migrations.
Other birds may use riparian locations as favored
sites for nesting and breeding.

Deep water and permanent marshes are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. Habitat
includes Klamath, Williamson, Wood, Sprague, and
Lost Rivers; Upper Klamath , Clear and Tule Lakes,
many smaller deep wetlands and permanent
marshes. Fish eating species such as grebes,
pelicans, gulls, terns and diving ducks use
these wetlands. The vegetation growing in
these wetlands (primarily cattail and bulrush
stands which are also called “tules”) provide
habitat for rails, white-faced ibis, egrets,
herons, yellow-headed black birds to name only a few.

Abundant shallow wetlands are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. These wetlands have historically had water during the winter and spring, but tended to dry out during the summer and fall. Today, most wildlife areas and refuges manage seasonal wetlands using water control structures to mimic this yearly wet and dry cycle. Wading shorebirds and dabbing ducks are among the diverse wildlife species commonly seen in seasonal marshes and wetlands.

Juniper/Sagebrush habitat is found most
extensively in the southern and eastern portions of
the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. Both the Clear
Lake area and Lava Beds National Monument have
large expanse of this habitat. Plants found here
include Western Juniper and several plants
collectively known as sagebrush and rabbit
brush. The region is a volcanic big sky country with
sage and juniper aromas on the wind.

High Elevation habitat are forests above 5,500 feet
in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins
consisting primarily of Douglas fir, western red cedar
and true firs. These habitats are found mostly in the
Cascade and Siskiyou mountains. Popular travel
destinations with these habitats include Crater Lake
National Park, Medicine Lake, Lake of the Woods
and the Pacific Crest Trail. Wildlife species found in
mountain meadows, streams and lakes as well as
those seen above timberline are included
in this habitat grouping.

Ponderosa and Lodgepole Pine habitat are
usually found above juniper/sagebrush vegetation
and at a lower elevation than Douglas fir and true fir
habitats within the Upper Klamath Basin watershed.
Many cavity nesting bird species use the Ponderosa/
lodgepole pine habitat, particularly where past fires
have created openings and dead snags. Several
species of woodpeckers, nuthatches and flycatchers
are commonly observed within this habitat.

Here are other locations near Harriman Springs Resort and Marina:
Behold the spectacular Crater Lake National Park
Visit the old west in Wood River Valley and Fort Klamath
Take a moment to relax at Mare’s Eggs Springs
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Take a video tour of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges