Pilot Oxygenation Project
United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Reclamation
Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

Burleson was awarded
a contract from the
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)
to implement a pilot oxygenation project at
Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. The project
was set up to evaluate system feasibility, complete the preliminary design and costs, and establish the public and stakeholders involvement program. Burleson's team consisted of leading technical experts from around the United States experienced in lake restoration. Burleson coordinated stakeholders to participate in the project that included representatives from Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Native American Tribes, and water users local to the area. Burleson completed baseline water quality sampling of Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) and designed the pilot oxygenation system.

The pilot oxygenation system would promote survival of endangered suckers and improve water quality in the treated area. The pilot system was designed to oxygenate 30 million gallons per day of lake water with oxygen concentrations of
40 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

The project consisted of the following elements:

Site Visits - Pilot Oxygenation Study Plan and Quality
    Assurance Plan (QAP)
Oxygenation System Design and Baseline Water Quality
    Sampling
Public Involvement including Stakeholder Meetings
Project Management
Technical Work Group Coordination

This project was completed on-time and under budget. Burleson worked closely with Reclamation technical staff in the Klamath Falls, Oregon and Denver, Colorado offices. This project was fast-tracked to facilitate a resolution for water allocation issues between local area water users and federal agencies protecting endangered species.