The Department of the Interior has announced a significant investment aimed at enhancing drought resilience in Oregon. This initiative, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, allocates $37.4 million to three key projects. These efforts are financed through the Inflation Reduction Act, which marks the largest investment ever made in climate-related projects.
The focus of these projects is to conserve nearly 5,000 acre-feet of water annually across three irrigation districts: Ochoco, Central Oregon, and Tumalo. By enclosing open canals into pipelines, these projects aim to reduce water losses from evaporation and seepage while creating more efficient water transportation systems.
"Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have historic new resources to invest in innovative water conservation solutions that make Western communities more resilient to drought and climate change," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain. "With these investments, we are advancing essential water infrastructure projects that mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and safeguard communities across the country."
Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton added, "These historic investments through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help build drought resiliency in Oregon. All three projects will utilize proven methods for improving efficiency in water delivery systems."
The administration's broader effort involves an all-of-government approach to increase resilience against climate change impacts on Western communities and address ongoing megadroughts by leveraging resources from President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The Inflation Reduction Act includes substantial funding for domestic water supply projects as well as specific allocations for water management and conservation efforts targeting areas like the Colorado River Basin.
To date, over $3.2 billion has been announced from the Inflation Reduction Act for various drought mitigation initiatives including 223 drought mitigation projects and several canal improvement efforts.
The specific allocations include $8 million directed towards converting more than eight miles of open canal into buried pipe within the Ochoco Irrigation District along Crooked River; $21 million for Central Oregon Irrigation District’s project involving conversion of over two miles of open canal into large-diameter pipe along Deschutes River; and $8.4 million towards Tumalo Irrigation District's plan which involves converting over ten miles of open canal into buried pipe with additional construction components to improve conservation between Tumalo Creek and Crescent Lake.
Converting open canals into pipes plays a crucial role in conserving water by preventing loss through evaporation or seepage while supporting local wildlife habitats such as those needed by redband trout and threatened species like the Oregon Spotted Frog.
