Photo: A section of the Pilot Butte Canal crosses under Smith Rock Way in Terrebonne in October 2019.
By MICHAEL KOHN The Bulletin
This article was originally posted May 6, 2024 in the Bend Bulletin and is available in audio format.
The Central Oregon and North Unit irrigation districts have teamed up for a campaign to boost awareness of water piping projects in the Deschutes Basin.
In a news release, the districts describe the campaign as “a proactive step” toward addressing the need for water conservation and infrastructure modernization. The campaign launches Wednesday with public announcements on TV and social media platforms that identify the challenges of farming in an area with antiquated irrigation systems.
Farmers, ranchers and the irrigation districts that supply them water are making their pitch to the public four years after the adoption of the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan. The 30-year plan centers on a multipronged effort to raise the amount of water flowing in the Deschutes River during winter to benefit wildlife. One of the primary ways to conserve water is the elimination of seepage into the ground from porous canals.
“The clock is ticking to meet the conservation measures outlined in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan,” said Josh Bailey, general manager for North Unit Irrigation District.
“The viability of farmers in the North Unit Irrigation District is directly tied to the piping of Central Oregon Irrigation District. The sooner (Central Oregon Irrigation District’s) Pilot Butte Canal project is complete, the sooner these farms will have the water security they require,” he said.
The awareness campaign explains how Central Oregon Irrigation District water conservation projects benefit North Unit farmers while also raising the Deschutes River flows.
A key goal of the districts is to pipe 25 miles of the Pilot Butte Canal between Bend and Redmond, conserving 13 billion gallons of water annually. Release of an Environmental Impact Statement, a crucial step in the project, is anticipated this summer, the districts said.
Deschutes River Conservancy, a Bend-based conservation organization, has partnered with the two irrigation districts in the publicity campaign. Beginning this week, videos and informational documents related to the awareness campaign will be posted on the conservancy’s website, deschutesriver.org.
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