WATER QUANTITY

Demand on our Water Resource

Climate change and population growth is increasingly putting a demand on the water resource in central Oregon. Now more than ever we, as irrigators need to be more efficient with our irrigation water to ensure we have enough water to meet our agricultural, recreational, and wildlife needs.

Oregon Fresh water Use

HOW CAN DESCHUTES SWCD HELP?

The Deschutes SWCD provides technical and financial assistance to landowners for irrigation improvements. In addition the Deschutes SWCD in partnership with Oregon State University (OSU), Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO), WyEast RC&D, and local businesses provides educational forums and workshops to further educate irrigators on the latest energy saving technologies and management strategies to improve your irrigation system.

Irrigation Water Management Success Story In the heart of the Three Sisters Irrigation District lies an area spotted with several small farms that produce hay under the clicking sounds of impact sprinklers. On one such farm lives Lisa Worcester, who raises horses and produces hay. For Lisa, irrigating is not just a process of applying water to plants; it is a science of determining the right amount of water needed for the crop. Follow the link to read more.	Bolton/Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) on farm Delivery Improvement The project improved an existing on farm diversion and eliminated 1800 ft. of open ditch, replacing it with 10-inch 125 IPS PVC pipe. A new pond and pond liner was installed by the landowner to service the property. The project was necessary due to water quality issues where ground water contamination threatened domestic wells and the Crooked River.	Irrigation Water Management Workshop The Irrigation water Management workshop is a partnership with OSU and other entities to provide education and awareness to irrigators in Deschutes County.
Irrigation Modernization Several irrigation districts in Oregon are working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA), and other stakeholders to develop Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessments that support irrigation modernization and provide local environmental benefits.