Lower Klamath looks lush this summer thanks to incredible precipitation last winter and spring, and the refuge has received a small amount of water this spring and summer - about 60 acre feet a day - via a transfer of water rights.

This water was enough to maintain water levels in the Unit 2 permanent wetland until evaporation/transpiration rates began to increase with summer temperatures, but now water levels are dropping.

The timing is not good: Late August is prime molting time, when waterfowl lose all of their flight feathers for up to 40 days. To remain safe during molt, they need water that doesn't go away. Lack of sufficient molting habitat can be a huge limiter for California's locally breeding waterfowl - primarily mallards, gadwall and cinnamon teal - creating a population bottleneck.