Town Hall Q&A
DBBC Town Hall
Questions & Answers
March 19, 2025
Q: Many residents in Central Oregon have reported their wells going dry after irrigation districts transitioned from open canals to piping systems. What studies or efforts are in place to address the impact on rural homeowners, and how can affected well owners get assistance?
A: While multiple factors influence groundwater levels such as drought, geology, and regional water use studies indicate canal piping may account for approximately 10% of the impact in some areas. Irrigation districts often conduct pre- and post-project well monitoring to assess potential effects.
State and regional partners are studying groundwater trends. Homeowners experiencing well issues should contact the Oregon Water Resources Department and their local district for assistance and information on available support programs.
Q: Will historical preservation efforts be included in the joint irrigation projects undertaken by the districts or agencies?
A: Yes. Any project using state or federal funding is reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Irrigation districts follow all SHPO and federal agency guidelines to ensure historical and cultural resources are identified and preserved.
Q: We were notified that you anticipated cost overruns for the projects this year. Why can't you stick to your budget like we do?
A: Cost changes depend on the district and are often driven by factors outside of their control, such as inflation, labor shortages, material costs, and permitting delays. Districts work to stay within budget but must adapt to changing conditions to keep projects moving forward.
Q: How do districts set rates?
A: Irrigation districts set rates to cover the cost of operations and maintenance. Rates are typically based on factors such as acreage, water delivery needs, infrastructure requirements, and long-term planning.
Q: Am I going to continue to see pricing increases like the last two years, or will it stop? When will it stop?
A: While price adjustments may continue in response to inflation, infrastructure needs, and regulatory requirements, the irrigation districts utlitize the Deschutes Basin Board of Control (DBBC) to help control costs by sharing consultants, staff, and resources across districts.
Q: Can you offer a payment plan to spread out the cost of water over a 12-month period rather than your current payment system?
A: Since most districts deliver water for only six months of the year, payment structures are typically based on that schedule. However, payment plans are a board-level decision and may vary by district. Patrons are encouraged to contact their district directly to discuss available options.
Q: What are the counties, cities, and other groups doing to help relieve some of the burden put on us, as farmers, to pay for and “fix” the river, fish, and frogs?
A: Through the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative (DBWC), counties, cities, irrigation districts, and other partners are working together to identify shared solutions and funding strategies that balance agricultural needs with environmental goals. The state legislature continues to support this effort by providing funding for management of the DBWC.
Q: What consideration has been given to more free-market based inter-district movement of water among individual growers and landowners?
A: A legislative pilot project is exploring ways to allow more flexibility in water use across district boundaries. Increasing flexibility is seen as a key tool for improving overall water management in the basin.
Q: How do the districts make sure water is allocated fairly among all irrigators, especially in drought years?
A: Each district follows a state-approved Water Management and Conservation Plan, which includes provisions for drought years. The Oregon Water Resources Department, through the local watermaster, is responsible for regulating river flows.
Q: Why do we lose our water if we don’t use it?
A: Oregon Water Law requires water to be put to its highest and best use, which means using it for its intended purpose without waste. For irrigation rights, that means actively planting, irrigating, and producing a crop, pasture, yard, or other landscaping at least once every five consecutive years. Irrigating native vegetation or weeds does not qualify. Water rights that are not put to beneficial use as defined by the law may be subject to forfeiture. Such rules also deter speculative water right acquisitions.
Q: Why are you using large-scale piping to reduce water use instead of cheaper options like piping private ditches, eliminating flood irrigation, or offering incentives to use less water?
A: Piping main canal systems - the backbone of the irrigation network - is the most efficient and cost-effective way to conserve large amounts of water quickly, especially with available federal and state funding. These projects also support and incentivize future on-farm improvements by creating reliable, pressurized systems that enable more efficient irrigation practices.
Q: What incentives, financial and technical, do small or hobby farmers have to change and use water more efficiently?
A: All water users are considered water right holders, regardless of operation size. Incentives and support may be available through your local irrigation district, the Deschutes and Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Deschutes River Conservancy, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
These organizations offer resources and programs to help improve on-farm water efficiency and support conservation efforts.
Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District https://www.deschutesswcd.org/
Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District https://www.jeffswcd.org/
Deschutes River Conservancy https://www.deschutesriver.org/
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Oregon https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/oregon
Q: Are there plans for new storage reservoirs or ways to increase water storage capacity in the basin?
A: COID and North Unit Irrigation District are working with the Bureau of Reclamation through a grant to explore ways to more efficiently utilize Haystack Reservoir. This includes evaluating options such as small pond or bulge storage to enhance overall water management in the basin.
Q. How do we balance water allocations for agriculture when urban and environmental demands are increasing?
A: Balancing these demands is a key focus of the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative. Districts are investing in conservation projects to improve efficiency, meet environmental obligations under the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and support long-term water reliability for agriculture, cities, and rivers.
Q: My operation and maintenance bill keeps increasing, yet I never see my ditch being cleaned. How is ditch cleaning scheduled year after year? Is there a yearly maintenance plan?
A: Ditch cleaning and maintenance are scheduled based on priority, access, and system needs rather than on a fixed annual rotation. Some areas require more frequent attention, while others may need less frequent maintenance. If you have concerns about your specific ditch, we encourage you to contact your district directly so staff can review and address your location as needed.
Q: How are the districts proactively addressing water conservation? I hear about some irrigators receiving more water than allocated or needed, while others like those in Arnold struggle during drought. How are districts using real-time information to trade, share, or leave water in-stream when it’s not needed for beneficial use?
A: Districts are investing in conservation projects, modernizing infrastructure, and improving water measurement to better match deliveries with actual need. Many are adopting real-time flow monitoring and telemetry to track usage and improve efficiency. Efforts are underway through the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative and the Habitat Conservation Plan to expand tools for water sharing, trading, and voluntary leasing to protect flows during critical times. While each district operates independently, shared data and regional coordination are improving how water is managed across the basin especially during drought.
Q: Regarding news of a "new" aquifer: Is this truly a new source of water we could use, or just a better understanding of an existing aquifer that feeds rivers like the Metolius and McKenzie?
A: It’s not a new source of water, but rather a refined understanding of an existing deep aquifer system. Scientific studies have improved our knowledge of how groundwater moves through the region and how it contributes to spring-fed rivers like the Metolius and McKenzie. Any use of this aquifer would still be subject to Oregon water law and careful regulation to avoid harming surface flows or senior water rights. This aquifer has been in use for over 100 years, and there is no 'additional water' available for appropriation.
Q: With the looming 2029 challenge to meet federal guidelines for protecting the Oregon spotted frog, two questions: 1) Can we achieve the standard without completing the piping project? 2) If we cannot meet the standard, can we operate without federal funding?
A: Meeting the 2029 Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) targets without completing key piping projects would be extremely difficult. Piping is the most effective way to conserve the volumes of water needed to improve streamflows and meet habitat requirements for species like the Oregon spotted frog.
Operating without federal funding would significantly limit the districts’ ability to complete these large-scale conservation projects. Federal support is critical to financing infrastructure upgrades and meeting environmental obligations. Without compliance, districts could also face legal and regulatory challenges that impact operations.