Water bank pilot project renewed for a second year
Hope for fish, farmers, and the Deschutes
It is certainly no exaggeration to say water has been on everyone’s minds this summer. As we continue to wrestle with ongoing and extreme drought conditions, we need all water conservation efforts on the table.
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.
In short, this program opens up a path for people to share water. If one irrigator doesn’t need to use their water, they could pass that water on to the systems that need it. By placing excess water back in the river to replenish low flows and on to other farmers who may desperately need it, moving water to where the demand is greatest is a clear path we must take to reduce water waste.
Low flows in the river hurt fish habitat. Water-sharing could increase the amount of water returned to the river. Paul Riedmiller
The Pilot Program, and similar incentive-based approaches to water management, have a huge potential to provide significant relief to our rivers, streams, and food-producing farmers.
Earlier this month, the Pilot Program was renewed for a second year. This is an important milestone for improving water management in the Deschutes Basin. However, the future of the program is far from certain.
In 2022, the Pilot Program faced multiple barriers at the local and state level, limiting participation and limiting the amount of water available to the river and farmers. Unfortunately, many of those barriers have yet to be addressed.
As the impacts of climate change and drought put additional pressure on Central Oregon, water managers must continue to invest in the Water Bank Pilot Program—and similar market-based tools—to meet the needs of our rivers and farmers.
Bob Pool
Participate in the 2023 Water Bank Program
Are you an irrigator in Deschutes County interested in sharing water? Fill out the 2023 Water Bank Program interest form to see if you are eligible to participate in water-sharing. Applications are due by November 1.