Working Together to Conserve Groundwater in the Harney Basin.
VOLUNTARY ACTIONS FOR HARNEY IRRIGATORS
Since irrigated agriculture accounts for over 95% of groundwater use and with over 350 permitted irrigators across the Harney Basin, sustainably managing agricultural groundwater use is our most urgent priority. To provide a roadmap for evolving the region’s water-use practices, the CBWP group has identified four ways irrigators can take voluntary actions to reduce groundwater use ahead of tightening regulations.
Understanding changes to traditional irrigation practices can be time-consuming and costly to local producers. The Collaborative is identifying resources, potential funding sources to offset costs, and building a network to provide technical support for local irrigators.
TAKING VOLUNTARY ACTIONS
Monitor & Measure Water Use
An important step in reducing groundwater use through irrigation is having an accurate measurement of actual water being used. While monitoring may soon become mandatory in parts of the Harney Basin, we are working to standardize approaches to make data more reliable and accurate, develop ways to share and use data to improve local management, and identify cost-share opportunities to make measurement more affordable.
Relevant resources:
Increase Efficiency of Irrigation Systems
Reducing groundwater use starts by optimizing irrigation systems and practices. Strategically using less water can reduce cost increasing crop health and crop yields and benefiting water quality. Modernizing irrigation technology can result in water savings and improve crop productivity.
Relevant resources:
Grow Alternative Crops
Traditionally, alfalfa hay grown in this region is a successful crop that requires significant water resources. Shifting to alternative crops that require less water to grow may be an option for reducing groundwater use, be more drought-resistant, and provide comparable revenue.
Convert to Dry Land Under Contract
The State of Oregon is working with U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a program to compensate landowners for not using their groundwater. This is one strategy currently being explored to reduce groundwater use in the Harney Basin.