Bend Bulletin: Guest column: Irrigation districts and landowners are working together to protect water
By Craig Horrell, President of the Deschutes Basin Board of Control
A recent Bulletin article raised the prospect of potential delays in achieving the Deschutes River winter flow goals outlined in the Deschutes Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). While challenges exist, we reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling the plan’s obligations. The irrigation districts of the Deschutes Basin and the City of Prineville are voluntarily implementing all agreed-upon measures and remain dedicated to the broader flow goals for the region.
The HCP was developed through more than 12 years of scientific study, negotiation, and collaboration with state and federal agencies, conservation groups, irrigation districts, and community members. It provides a 30-year framework for modernizing water delivery systems, increasing efficiency, and conserving significant amounts of water to support fish and wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act.
While some argue the HCP does not go fast enough or feel it overemphasizes piping projects, the reality is we have a path forward, and it’s working. Piping is a key tool for improving water management, but it is just one of many strategies we are using to meet HCP goals and restore flows Upper Deschutes River flows.
Partnerships between irrigation districts, including Central Oregon and North Unit, along with private landowners, are proving that collaboration is strengthening water infrastructure and conservation efforts. On-farm programs are already reducing water use, and efforts are underway on district and private lateral piping projects that connect to main canal piping. These projects aim to create a fully piped, eventually pressurized system that conserves both water and energy.
Piping also enhances water management by giving farmers greater control over water delivery. It supports on-farm improvements, such as transitioning from flood irrigation to more efficient sprinklers, which increases crop yields while using less water. Modernized systems also expand opportunities for water leasing and banking, further benefiting conservation efforts.
The good news is, through collaboration with our partners and irrigators, we are making significant strides in water conservation and reliability. Since 2021, piping projects have permanently secured 76.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) for winter flows in the Upper Deschutes River, the equivalent of filling 428 bathtubs every minute during the non-irrigation season.
Central Oregon Irrigation District accounts for 39.6 cfs of the 76.2 cfs conserved, and 100% of the water saved through federally funded projects is dedicated to restoring flows in both the Upper and Middle Deschutes, with priority given to addressing flow imbalances in the Upper Deschutes.
In 2024 alone, voluntary leasing and water transfers have added another 80 cfs, further enhancing streamflow restoration and river health.
These collective efforts are making a lasting impact on conservation and strengthening the ecological resilience of the Upper Deschutes River.
It is important to remember that the HCP was not imposed on our communities. It was developed in partnership by those who live and work in the Deschutes Basin, guided by science, and designed to reflect the interests of all stakeholders. The plan has unlocked millions of dollars in funding for modernization projects that benefit both farmers and the environment, providing the structure we need to continue improving water management.
We invite those with concerns to join us in implementing solutions that benefit our community because we can accomplish far more through action than through conflict. Conservation of this scale takes time, and while challenges may arise, our commitment remains unwavering.
For more than a century, irrigation districts have helped shape Central Oregon, and we take that responsibility seriously. With thoughtful planning, strategic investments, and strong collaboration, we are committed to improving water management in the Deschutes Basin, supporting farms and businesses while ensuring a sustainable future for the river and our communities.
Craig Horrell is president of the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, which comprises eight irrigation districts: Arnold, Central Oregon, Lone Pine, North Unit, Ochoco, Swalley, Three Sisters, and Tumalo. He submitted this on behalf of the board of control.
