Chiloquin Dam in 2007

Despite the dam’s benefits, there are many problems which have arisen from its location on the lower Sprague River, the most notable being the blocking of spawning habitat located upstream from the dam. The dam closes off an important tributary above the Upper Klamath Lake—a tributary which has historically been a spawning area for the endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers.

The blocking of spawning habitat has led to a sharp decrease in the sucker populations. For thousands of years, the suckers have been an important resource for the Klamath Tribe, both physically and culturally. The sucker fishery served as an important food source for the Klamath people, providing an abundant source of protein. The fish were also culturally cherished by the tribe, with much of their culture and tradition centered on the annual return of the fish to their natal streams. As a result of the decline, the Klamath people have voluntarily ceased harvesting of the fish until their populations are able to recover. They have done this despite the fact that they have a right to harvest the suckers—a right guaranteed to them by the U.S. Government when the tribe signed their treaty in 1864.

At the present, Chiloquin Dam still provides gravity fed irrigation water to the Modoc Point Irrigation District. The most recent fish ladder installed is still present though its effectiveness is questioned by the tribe as well as state and federal agencies. It can also be seen that the dam is in a state of disrepair, the suspension bridge which once spanned the dam has long since been removed and the concrete structure has become heavily deteriorated.