Klamath Falls, Oregon - Stinkin' Tuh High Heaven!

Klamath Lake reeks like a sewer. It's blamed on the rotting of dead blue-green algae that collects along the shoreline. I have yet to find much mention of WHY there's so much, but looking at the surrounding area's green fields laden with cattle, I suspect nitrogen run-off.

Livestock production, mostly cattle, covers the entire upper lake region with myriad small streams coursing through the pastures and draining into Klamath Lake. No boaters, definitely no swimmers, few birds.

Signs warn to thoroughly gut and SKIN any fish caught to eat. Even THEN you're taking a chance. Blue-green algae poisoning results in severe nausea, vomiting, etc., etc.

But those cows and ranchers are our sacred Western Lifestyle. Too bad for the lake.