Upper Deschutes Basin Study sets open houses

The public is invited to attend open houses March 5 and 6 in Sunriver, Bend and Madras to learn more about a three-year study focused on meeting water needs for rivers, irrigated agriculture and communities in the Deschutes Basin.

The Upper Deschutes Basin Study, anticipated to be completed this year, aims to develop a comprehensive analysis of water supply and demand in the basin while evaluating options for addressing water imbalances.

Surface water in the Upper Deschutes Basin has been almost fully allocated since the early 1900s, causing many stream reaches to suffer from high and low flows at different times of the year. Irrigated agriculture is under increasing pressure to reduce water use to meet the needs of species listed under the Endangered Species Act and Central Oregon’s growing cities need water in the future.

The study examines strategies to restore flows for fish, wildlife and river health while supporting agriculture and growing communities. Strategies include water conservation through modernizing irrigation district infrastructure, market-based incentives to reduce water use and an assessment of water storage options.

While the study does not propose specific projects, programs or plans, it provides a basis for future water management in the basin.

Preliminary findings identified opportunities, tools and costs to address Deschutes Basin water needs. Meeting water supply needs in dry years will necessitate implementing a combination of these tools.

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Basin Study Work Group (BSWG) are facilitating the Study. The BSWG is a collaborative, consensus-based entity with representatives from irrigation, instream and municipal interests, and from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

The $1.5 million study is funded by Bureau of Reclamation and the Oregon Water Resources Department. The Deschutes Basin Board of Control manages the non-federal share on behalf of the Basin Study Work Group.

During the open houses, community members will have the opportunity to learn about preliminary findings, speak with Study leaders, ask questions, review data and offer feedback.

Open house information is as follows :

Sunriver

Monday, March 5, 1-3 p.m.

Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic Recreation Center (SHARC)

57250 Overlook Road

Sunriver, OR 97701

Hosted by the Sunriver Anglers

Bend

Monday, March 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Bend Parks and Recreation District Office

799 SW Columbia Street

Bend, OR 97702

Madras

Tuesday, March 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Inn at Cross Keys Station

66 NW Cedar Street

Madras, OR 97741

About the Basin Study Work Group

The Basin Study Work Group is a collaborative, consensus-based entity with representatives from irrigation, instream and municipal interests, and from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The study is funded by the Bureau of Reclamation and Deschutes Basin Board of Control . Learn more about the Upper Deschutes River Basin Study: http://bit.ly/BasinStudy