The Klamath Basin Monitoring Program (KBMP) is an organization comprised of groups either conducting water quality monitoring or interested in water quality issues within the Klamath Basin. KBMP has a diverse membership consisting of tribal groups (Yurok, Hoopa, Karuk, and Klamath Tribes), non-profit organization groups, and federal, state and local governments. Historically members of KBMP collaborated on an informal level, exchanging information and collaborating in an attempt to reduce duplication and effort. After many years of informal meetings, in 2004, participating members of the Klamath Basin Monitoring Program attempted to formalize. However, because of the complexity and severity of the water quality problems facing the Klamath Basin, and decreasing available resources at all levels, development of a more coordinated and sustainable monitoring program could not be generated.

In 2006, The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board with support from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Non-point Source Program proposed a contract to facilitate the development of the coordinated monitoring and assessment plan within the Klamath Basin. The rationale behind the support of the project were to: 1) create a comprehensive and consistent monitoring strategy; 2) develop effective and efficient way of using resources; 3) generate a holistic picture on the health of the basin; and 4) create interagency partnerships to improve the health of the basin. The Klamath Watershed Institute, an affiliate of Humboldt State University, was chosen as the neutral party to facilitate and develop an interagency water quality organization.

The Klamath Watershed Institute,  in collaboration with members of the Klamath Basin Monitoring Program, formerly the Klamath Basin Water Quality Monitoring Coordination Group, have developed a basin-wide water quality monitoring and coordination plan, data portal, communications plan, and a plan for long-term sustainability for KBMP. The Plan entitled, Klamath Basin Water Quality Monitoring Plan, is a collaborative and consensus based effort involving a diverse group of regional water quality monitoring organizations throughout the Klamath Basin.

 

Starting in 2014, the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) has taken over administrative and scientific support for KBMP by leveraging their 20+ years of experience running Regional Monitoring Programs. As a Regional Data Center for the California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN), SFEI will also be able to help stakeholders review and input water quality data into a single, publicly available database. Data from agencies, tribes, and other stakeholders can then be available to better understand long term water quality trends, for use in planning and restoration efforts, and improve stewardship of our ecological resources.