irrigation
Posted inNews

Dam Drought

The Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan was approved in December with the goal of increasing instream flows in the river. Then another drought year happened.
Avatar photo by Jack Harvel

Last summer the Wickiup Reservoir dried to just 1% of its capacity, the lowest it has been since it was built in 1949. In an average year the reservoir, which stores Deschutes River water, would be at about 25% of its capacity at the end of irrigation season, with just over 63,000 acre-feet. Last year’s […]

Posted inOpinion

Covered Wagons and Historical Water Rights: Both Out of Date

It’s time to agree that irrigation systems put in place during the covered-wagon days need to go
The Source Staff

Here’s a thing that’s just as antiquated as a covered wagon: The way Central Oregon treats its relationship with one of its most coveted resources, its water. The system that allocates water resources from the precious Deschutes River has largely been in place since those covered wagon days—and if the local irrigation districts get their […]

Posted inNews

Regional Roundup

Oregon headlines, found this week in Cascades Reader
The Source Staff

Housing Bill Gets a Slight Remodel Cities remain wary of a legislative proposal that would require many of them to open the way for townhouses and small apartment buildings in neighborhoods filled with single-family homes, even after changes meant to ease them into it. Gov. Kate Brown and House Speaker Tina Kotek have promised to […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters to the Editor

The Source Staff

Haters To the ignoramus in the genitalia-compensating truck at the NE3rd/Greenwood light: Your yelling “Go back to Portland” at a bicyclist making a legal left turn among cars illustrates your poor social skills on so many levels! Having to loudly transfer thought to mouth? Having to interrupt someone who is trying to stay alive among […]

Posted inNews

Tumalo Irrigation District Gets Funds for Upgrades

Sen. Jeff Merkley secures nearly $30 million for canal piping
Chris Miller

On Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced he helped secure nearly $30 million in funding for the Tumalo Irrigation District, as part of the District’s watershed plan to improve water conservation, delivery reliability and public safety through canal piping. The project, which covers more than 68 miles of canals and lateral canals, is expected to […]

Posted inOutside

It’s Irrigation Time!

Where does the water go, and how do we conserve it?
Chris Miller

Perhaps you’re new to Bend and wonder why in the winter, you see barren canals that travel north and east of town. Then come April 15, the same canals are brimming with cold, clear water. Central Oregon was traditionally an agricultural community, and the canals bring water to farms and ranches. The water comes from […]

Posted inOpinion

Legal Threat is a Wake Up Call

The Source Staff

As a society, Americans have a reputation for being litigious. This tendency to sue over every too-hot coffee or too-tall neighbor’s fence is tedious, time consuming, and expensive. But sometimes, lawsuits are the clearest and quickest path to justice. When attempts to work things out informally fail, the mere threat of legal action can be […]

Posted inNews

Out to Dry

WaterWatch puts irrigation districts on notice over frog deaths
Avatar photo Erin Rook

WaterWatch of Oregon says that agencies responsible for management of the Crane Prairie, Wickiup, and Crescent Lake dams and reservoirs are causing harm to the threatened Oregon spotted frog. And if they don’t take action to comply with federal law, the conservation organization intends to sue. The 60-day notice filed by WaterWatch on August 12 […]

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