The Horizon
All the latest updates on our work defending rural lands, creating livable cities and towns and preserving wild lands and water throughout Central Oregon
Recovering Deschutes Basin Steelhead — Part 2
In less than a century, the impacts of irrigation, hydropower projects, and other human activities throughout the Deschutes Basin have disrupted the natural water systems and environmental conditions that sustained abundant steelhead populations for millennia.
In order to take steps toward habitat recovery, it is important to understand how we’ve fundamentally changed these waterways.
Raising the price of irrigation water should encourage conservation
To meet existing and future water needs, the Basin’s senior irrigation districts need to ramp up financial incentive programs to conserve more water, in concert with the piping of private laterals.
Recovering Deschutes Basin Steelhead — Part 1
The steelhead trout is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic species of fish.
In this series, we’re exploring the history of steelhead in the Deschutes Basin, the impacts irrigation and development have had on this species and their habitat, the actions water managers and regulators are proposing to address threats to this species, and whether they go far enough to restore the critical habitat this iconic species needs and deserves.
Planning For More Than Piping
Addressing water shortages in the Deschutes Basin requires a comprehensive Water Management Plan that integrates infrastructure improvements and market-based incentives to efficiently allocate water for both agricultural and environmental needs.
The Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative, through the state’s Place-Based Planning process, is developing this plan to ensure balanced water distribution and overcome existing systemic issues, emphasizing the need for immediate and coordinated action.
Guest Column: Reforming Water Policy at the Local Level
Most of the Deschutes River Basin’s water is used for irrigation and waste happens at every step in the process. It is time for irrigation districts to step up and truly embrace reform at the local level.
It's time to define the future of Deschutes County
What do we want Deschutes County to look like in 20 years? The County is asking for your input on its draft update to the Comprehensive Plan.
Addressing water waste in Central Oregon
It’s clear there is an appetite amongst irrigators for solutions to wasteful irrigation practices, improved irrigation infrastructure, and policy reform to allow easier reallocation of water to those who need it the most.
Guest Column: Attack the Reservoir of Wasted Water
It is time to focus on solutions to water waste to ensure that both our frogs and our farmers get the water they need - and time is of the essence as climate change tightens its grip.
Help shape Oregon’s 5-Year Water Strategy
Take the survey by June 15th and help shape a water strategy that prioritizes stronger protections for instream flows and improved management of groundwater.
A river ecosystem on the brink
What’s in the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Plan? We need more from the draft plan. Take action by May 1 and ask U.S. Fish and Wildlife for specific and tangible conservation actions.
Our water distribution system is based on fiction
It doesn’t take an expert to see the growing conflict over the scarcity of water supplies in Central Oregon, intensified by drought and the impacts of climate change. But the Oregon spotted frog is not to blame for our water woes, nor are the farmers whose livelihood depends on water for crops.
A New River Democracy Act introduced to Congress
Earlier this month, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced an updated version of the River Democracy Act.
Groundwater survey: How should we use groundwater?
OWRD recognizes there is an issue with over-allocation of groundwater resources. Right now, they are seeking our input on how to move forward and shape a groundwater permitting system that supports the quality of our aquifers while also serving the senior water rights holders and current domestic well uses in each basin.
Water bank pilot project renewed for a second year
This past year, Central Oregon saw the launch of the Deschutes Water Bank Pilot Program. This program is an innovative, voluntary, and market-based solution to addressing water shortages in the Deschutes Basin.
Guest column: Is Central Oregon the West's water future?
Central Oregon recently made national headlines when The Washington Post hailed local water infrastructure projects as “the future of the American West.” Indeed, improving the efficiency of our century-old water infrastructure is key to ushering in a modern era of water management–but it’s far from a panacea.
Defending the cold, clear water of the Metolius River Basin
Right now, Oregon has the chance to designate the Metolius River as an Outstanding Resource Water.
Oregon is leading the nation in impaired waterways
Oregon has the most miles of “impaired” waterways nationwide according to a recent report from The Environmental Integrity Project.
Drought exposes a broken water system. Here’s what we can do.
This needs to be our last season of water scarcity. It’s time for reform. First, Oregon needs to modify how “beneficial use” of water is defined, monitored, and regulated to realign water priorities to meet 21st-century needs.
Where is the groundwater going?
Groundwater in Central Oregon is declining. But it should be an infinite resource. What’s really going on?
Who protects the headwaters?
At the places where rivers begin and end, we find the ephemeral streams and tributaries that connect a diverse network of waterways.