Water Quality & Quantity

What We Do: Irrigation Water Management and System Improvements, Juniper Removal, Agriculture Water Quality Enhancement

The waters of our county, including our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands, are vital to sustaining communities, economies, and wildlife. Water supply is becoming an ever more urgent issue in a time of growing drought. Many partners are working together to encourage water efficiency at all scales.

Water quality is also an important concern; partners and the community are working together to address problems from irrigation runoff, soil erosion, post-fire impacts, and contamination with unwanted chemicals and substances.

SWAP Grant Opportunities

Deschutes Soil and Water Assistance Programs (SWAPs) support private landowners with Irrigation Water Conservation and efficiency improvements as well as forest health and wildfire risk reduction projects. These grants also increase conservation benefits for residents of Deschutes County through water conservation, improved forest health, reduced wildfire risk to communities, and enhanced ecosystem health.

This program provides reliable funding for private landowners to implement on the ground conservation projects that benefit their land and communities.

Private Lateral Soil and Water Assistance Program (SWAP)

A private lateral piping program that addresses the delivery and conveyance of water to two or more landowners from a shared irrigation district point of diversion for water conservation and piped pressure capture.

Irrigator Soil & Water Assistance Program (SWAP)

On-farm irrigation infrastructure financial assistance program to support private landowners, farmers, or land managers (landholders) with on-farm irrigation water conservation and efficiency improvements.

All seven irrigation districts in Central Oregon are working with the Deschutes SWCD, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA), Deschutes River Conservancy, and other stakeholders to develop Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessments and implementation strategies that will improve the irrigation districts water conveyance systems, on-farm delivery and management, and improve flows in the Deschutes and Crooked River.

Tools & Partner Resources

AgriMet

Agrimet is a weather monitoring network providing real-time meteorological data such as temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture. It supports efficient water management and conservation efforts, helping farmers and land managers optimize irrigation and make sustainable decisions for agriculture and natural resource conservation.

Irrigation Scheduler Mobile App

Smart water management begins with two questions, when do I turn the water on and for how long? The answer lies with the Irrigation Scheduler Mobile App. This mobile app can help irrigators manage irrigation water which in turn improve yields.

Web Soil Survey

The Web Soil Survey, developed by the USDA NRCS, provides detailed soil information for any U.S. location. Users can access maps, reports, and soil properties to make informed decisions on land management, agriculture, construction, and environmental stewardship. It’s a free, easy-to-use resource for landowners.

Read Our Blog

  • Riparian Restoration Progress Across Our Watersheds

    Published On: April 18th, 2025

    Riparian Restoration Progress Across Our Watersheds

  • Pasture

    Irrigation Water Technology & Management: Online Curriculum and Field Training Registration

    Published On: January 15th, 2025

    Integrated Water Management Course – Spring 2026 Water

  • Restoring Balance: Juniper Removal Project at Rimrock Ranch

    Published On: August 30th, 2024

    The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) has

  • Water in river

    Water is Everything

    Published On: July 18th, 2024

    "Our Deschutes Basin aquifer is a large bowl,