HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeschutes Water AllianceDeschutes Water Alliance
Balancing Water Uses for Agriculture, Cities and Rivers in the
Deschutes Basin
Formation
In 2004, the Deschutes Water Alliance (DWA) was formed to plan for the future water management
of the Deschutes River Basin. The Alliance firmly believes that it is possible to simultaneously
meet new and existing demands for water in the Basin whether they are for agriculture, cities, or
rivers. This will happen through cooperation and voluntary participation of the key water suppliers
and users in the basin.
The Deschutes Water Alliance is comprised of the following stakeholders:
• The Deschutes Basin Board of Control (DBBC), an association of irrigation
districts: North Unit, Central Oregon, Swalley, Tumalo, Three Sisters, Arnold, Ochoco
• The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS): Manage resources as
sustainable assets available for cultural, subsistence, economic and social purposes
• Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC): with a mission to restore streamflow and
improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin
• Central Oregon Cities Organzation (COCO): Bend, Culver, Madras, Maupin,
Metolius, Prineville, Redmond, Sisters
Vision
The vision of the DWA is simple.
• The uses of water resources in the Deschutes Basin are balanced
to serve and sustain agriculture, urban and ecosystem needs.
Page 1 of 6
Mission
Our mission has three elements.
• Move stream flows toward a more natural hydrograph while securing and maintaining
improved instream flows and water quality to support fish and wildlife
• Secure and maintain a reliable and affordable supply of water to sustain agriculture
• Secure a safe, affordable, and high quality water supply for urban communities
Current Challenges
Like the Klamath Basin, the Deschutes River Basin faces numerous challenges that create high
potential for conflict over water. The DWA embraces the recommendations of the Department of
Interior's Water 2025 Report, understanding that foresight, strong leadership, and cooperation will
prevent water crises.
The River
Long stretches of the Deschutes River and its tributaries suffer from low streamflow and
degraded water quality due to numerous irrigation diversions in Bend that for decades have
supported a rich tradition of family farming. Between Bend and Lake Billy Chinook near
Madras, the Deschutes River runs at only 5% of its natural flow from May to September. Squaw
Creek through Sisters, Tumalo Creek below Shevlin Park and the Crooked River below
Prineville Reservoir also have reduced flows from diversions. In addition, the Upper Deschutes
River experiences abnormally low stream flows in the winter as water is being stored in Wickiup
and Crane Prairie Reservoirs. Furthermore, sections of the Deschutes River and its tributaries
fail to meet water quality standards set by the Clean Water Act through Oregon's Department of
Environmental Quality. These human altered stream conditions present significant threats to fish
and wildlife and pose potential liabilities for irrigators.
•
The Blue Whale: Average 30 year August Flow of the Deschutes
The Blue Whale: Average 30 Year December Flow of the Deschutes
The recent settlement agreement negotiated as part of the relicensing of the Pelton Round Butte
Hydroelectric Project will provide for fish passage past the dams near Warm Springs, Culver and
Madras. For the first time in more than fifty years, steelhead and salmon will be spawning in the
Page 2 of 6
upper reaches of the Deschutes Basin. Restoring flows in the Middle Deschutes is of paramount
importance to the survival of these fish and will improve water quality at the same time.
While the problems of the river are significant, they are not insurmountable. In the Deschutes River
only about 5 -10% of its annual flow is consumed. The problems of the Deschutes are not so much
of a basic water deficiency as they are localized distribution problems with serious stream flow
degradation at certain times of the year. The solution in many respects is a reallocation of the water
to bring the Deschutes back to something approaching the natural hydrograph. It is clear there is
enough water in the Basin to meet environmental, agricultural and municipal needs if we use our
water wisely, reduce waste, and emphasize stream restoration.
The Irrigators
Water use for irrigation has declined over the last 30 years, but remains the largest single use of
water in the Deschutes Basin. On average, over 660,000 acre feet have been diverted in each of
the last 6 years, down from historic levels. Original water rights issued in the early 1900's still
allow over half of what is diverted from the Deschutes near Bend, to be lost before it ever
reaches the fields due to antiquated, leaky delivery systems.
Stream flows and water use aside, challenging agricultural economics, rapid population growth
and demographic change are altering the character of farming and irrigation in much of the
Deschutes Basin. Particularly in Deschutes County, large acreage commercial farms have given
way to smaller farms established for lifestyle rather than crop production. Today, in the Central
Oregon Irrigation District 87% of the farms are 20 acres or less. This farm fragmentation has
increased the number and cost of water deliveries in the district.
In addition, the irrigation districts are challenged by urbanization. Some farmers are converting
their farms to urban development, a trcnd that could erode assessment revenue and threaten the
financial sustainability of the districts. Furthermore, urbanization jeopardizes water deliveries
to those customers that remain in the district.
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
Deschutes Basin Irrigation
and Municipal Diversions
Annual totals In Acre Feet 1966-2002
Irrigation Diversions
Munldpal Diversions
1.4
0
0+
1.4
U2
00
0h
1.1
0
o+
Page 3 of 6
The Cities
Central Oregon cities are the fastest growing in the State. Currently, all the cities combined divert
about 30,000 acre feet of water per year. This amounts to slightly more than 4% of all current
irrigation diversions. Some cities have implemented water conservation measures and the results
are beginning to take hold. For example, Bend has reduced residential per capita water use by
10%. New groundwater supplies will be required to meet new peak demands, because
conservation alone, will not be sufficient. Even using the highest growth projections, water use by
cities will remain a small fraction of overall water use in the basin.
Concern about the connection between surface and groundwater throughout the basin are adding
new challenges to securing new groundwater permits. In 2002 the Deschutes Groundwater
Mitigation rules were issued and new groundwater permits are now allowed if mitigation is
provided. Mitigation requires the transfer of surface water back to the stream, a very important
means of restoring streamflow in several reaches of the Deschutes Basin.
Tribal
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS), through its Natural Resource Branch, manage
resources as sustainable assets available for cultural, subsistence, economic and social purposes or
opportunities in perpetuity consistent with the Confederated Tribes sovereign and treaty status.
Their treaty, sovereign status and land and water rights ownership put them in a unique position to
take a long tens view of the Deschutes River Basin. With co -ownership of the Pelton Hydro Project
with PGE, they are cooperatively working to fulfill new FERC license obligations and see how they
can enhance other related efforts throughout the basin. The CTWS also hold significant tribal water
rights in the basin, both for on and off reservation use.
Harbingers of Success
In many western water basins the battle lines have been drawn in their wars over water. The
dynamic in the Deschutes Basin has been different for decades. Cooperative efforts abound to
protect and restore the environment that make the Basin such an attraction to those who live in it.
Traditional adversaries in other basins, such as irrigators and environmentalists, have joined in the
Deschutes River Conservancy and other organizations to make a positive difference. A number of
factors are at work in the Basin that make significant restoration achievable.
• The groundwater mitigation program will protect existing rights, allow for new groundwater
uses and create new opportunities for stream flow restoration throughout the Deschutes Basin.
• Irrigators understand the potential liabilities associated with Clean Water Act and Endangered
Species Act and are motivated to prevent conflict and litigation.
• Significant mitigation and restoration capital exists to invest in instream restoration, mitigation
and efficiency projects.
Near Term Strategy
Our near term strategy is to carry out projects that are achievable now and will show concrete
results to residents in the basin. At the same time, we will conduct the Water Supply and Demand
Study and develop the institutional framework that will enable us to understand the effects of large
scale projects and give us the means to carry them out.
Page4of6
The Deschutes Water Alliance will conduct the following study in order to more clearly understand
the cumulative impact of a series of potential water management alternatives that would satisfy this
diverse group's common objectives. Each water management scenario will be evaluated on their
efficiency and cost effectiveness as well as on their overall impact and benefit to the entire
Deschutes River.
DWA Planning Study
Synthesis of Water Supply & Demand: this report comprised of the sections listed below, will
summarize and prioritize data to create a template for future water management.
A. Irrigation District Water Conservation Analysis: how much water can be conserved at
what cost within each district
B. Impacts of Urbanization on Irrigable Lands: what planning strategies will assist districts
in dealing with the effects of urbanization and changing patron demand for smaller farm
sizes.
C. Reservoir Optimization & Water Quality Analysis: identify the opportunities to optimize
and manage water rights that currently require the use of water stored in reservoirs.
D. Municipal Water Supply & Demand to 2055: provide a cumulative future municipal
water demand forecast with supply alternatives.
E. Measurement, Monitoring and Evaluation: what are the methodologies that will best
measure restoration and reallocation for all water users.
Pilot Projects
1. Deschutes River Water Bank: create one institution where water users can find available
water for restoration, irrigation, groundwater mitigation and municipal uses. The bank will
comprise a set of services to efficiently move water from one purpose to another purpose in
a voluntary, non -regulatory manner.
2. Deschutes On -Farm Conservation Program: eliminating flood irrigation and improving
on-farm efficiencies can bring significant water savings for the basin
3. Other Pilots: Additional pilot projects may be identified and implemented during the study
period
Long Term Strategy
As the DWA proceeds forward it will grow, adding like-minded organizations that share our
vision of a sustainable future. Our successes will demonstrate to all in the Basin that we can
make significant improvements. It will encourage the community to support the even greater
efforts that it will take to achieve our vision. We invite you to join us.
For more information contact:
Steve Johnson — Central Oregon Irrigation District (DWA Chair) 541-548-6047
Bobby Brunoe — Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs 541-553-2015
Tod Heisler — Deschutes River Conservancy 541-382-4077
Patrick Griffiths — Water Resource Coordinator 541-317-3008
Page 5 of 6
Water 2025: Fact Sheet Summary
Preventing Crises and Conflict in the West
Water is the lifeblood of the American West and the foundation of its economy. It is also the scarcest
resource in some of the fastcst growing areas of the country. Water 2025 is intended to focus attention
on the reality that explosive population growth in western urban areas, the emerging need for water for
environmental and recreational uses, and the national importance of the domestic production of food and
fiber from western fauns and ranches is driving major conflicts between these competing uscs of water.
In some areas of the Wcst, existing water supplies are, or will be, inadequate to meet the demands for
water for people, cities, farms, and the environment even under normal water supply conditions.
Watcr 2025 recognizes that states, tribes, and local governments should have a leading role in meeting
these challenges, and that the Department of the interior should focus its attention and resources on areas
where scarce federal dollars can provide the greatest benefits to the West and the rest of the Nation.
Watcr 2025 provides the basis for a public discussion in advance of water crises and sets forth a
framework to focus on meeting water supply challenges in the future. This framework includes:
Six Principles
• Recognize and respect state, tribal, and federal water rights, contracts, and interstate compacts or
decrees of the United States Supreme Court that allocate the right to use water.
• Maintain and modernize existing water facilities so they will continue to provide water and power.
• Enhance water conservation, use efficiency, and resource monitoring to allow existing water supplies
to be used more effectively.
• Use collaborative approaches and market based transfers to minimize conflicts.
• Improve water treatment technology, such as desalination, to help increase water supply.
• Existing water supply infrastructure can provide additional benefits for existing and emerging needs
for water.
Five Realities
• Explosive population growth in areas of the West where water is already scarce.
• Water shortages occur frequently in the West.
• Over -allocated watersheds can cause crisis and conflict.
• Water facilities are aging.
• Crisis management is not effective in dealing with water conflicts.
Four Key Tools
• Conservation, Efficiency, and Markets
• Collaboration
• Technology
• Remove Institutional Barriers and Increase Interagency Cooperation
Water 2025 will:
• Facilitate a more forward-looking focus on water -starved areas of the country;
• Help to stretch or increase water supplies to satisfy the demands of growing populations, protect
environmental needs, and strengthen regional, tribal and local economies;
• Provide added environmental benefits to many watersheds, rivers, and streams;
• Minimize water crises in critical watersheds by improving the environment and addressing the
effects of drought on important economies; and,
• Provide a balanced, practical approach to water management for the next century.
Page6of6