Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

It's February. And it's 70 degrees today. Read about water supply projections, what we're doing to conserve water, and see if you might be a good fit for a job in water.

The Deschutes Water Banks helps farmers help the river.

DRC awarded $1.37 million to ease
drought hardship in Central Oregon

Funding for the Deschutes River Conservancy was included in a $20.5 million package for a suite of 13 drought resiliency projects in five Western states. The Deschutes Basin was the only project site to be selected in Oregon.

The funding will be used by the DRC, its irrigation district partners in the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, and its municipal partners within the Central Oregon Cities Organization, to formalize and operate a Water Bank that can deploy a suite of time and resource-efficient mechanisms to move water between users and the river, to meet the most pressing demands.

 
 

[Listen] Kate Fitzpatrick talks water banking for farmers and rivers with the Source Weekly

The Source Publisher Aaron Switzer talks to DRC Executive Director Kate Fitzpatrick about the new water bank pilot project for the North Unit Irrigation District, which allows farmers to obtain water from other water rights holders.

The program is aimed at easing some of the pain of ongoing drought for farmers who saw fields lay fallow in 2020 and 2021 due to irrigation shortages.

 
 

Merkley, Wyden announce bill to reauthorize the Deschutes River Conservancy

Bill would enable DRC to receive federal funding
to promote river health for the first time in over a decade 

“The work of the Deschutes River Conservancy is critical to the quality of Oregon’s waterways, and their work goes hand-in-hand with the health of our environment,” said Senator Merkley, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior & Environment. 

“Reauthorizing the DRC’s ability to receive federal funding will directly impact the stability of our rivers and tributaries, and I will do everything I can to get this legislation to the President’s desk.”

Thank you Senators Merkley and Wyden! 

 
 

Film Festival this Friday Night!

February 11th
6 pm or 9 pm
Tower Theatre
in Downtown Bend

The 16th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour is back with a selection of films that are sure to
get you fired up. From Costa Rica to Australia to Louisiana and beyond, catch the action
and amazing stories of anglers from across the globe. 

Home Waters books will be for sale at the DRC table! Come see us. 

 
 

Interested in a career in water?

The Oregon Water Resources Department
is hiring a full-time Basin Coordinator

As water scarcity and uncertainty increase, the State of Oregon must work with partners to find ways to address complex water management challenges and meet both instream and out-of steam needs.

Join a team that is building partnerships and incentivizing Oregonians to pursue integrated and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain water future.

Competitive salary and benefits offered. Position open until filled.

 

Central Oregon Water Supply Report

Here's what you need to know:
  • Significant winter storms in early January brought up to 2 feet of snow to the Oregon Cascades. 
  • Drier, warmer conditions have led to a decline since then in all basins. 
  • The current snowpack for the Deschutes Basin is 93% of average. 

  • Many reservoirs throughout Oregon are storing below average quantities of water. Locally, Wickiup Reservoir is currently 43% full, Crane Prairie is at 81%, and Prineville Reservoir is at 19%. 

  • The April through September streamflow forecasts in the basin range from 70% to 91% of the median.

  • The three-month outlook from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center calls for elevated chances of above-normal temperatures for much of Oregon.

Find out what you can do to track and reduce water consumption in your homes. 

 

DRC in the Community

While a lot of our work is in front of a computer and in long collaborative meetings, DRC staffers love to get out in the community to help inform about water issues, challenges facing the river, and conservation opportunities.

If you would like a DRC staffer to come present at your group, please reach out to marisa@deschutesriver.org or 541-382-4077 x125

 

Get Your Copy of Home Waters!

Home Waters is here! Buy your copy of this high-quality coffee table-style book that tells the story of the Deschutes Basin's past, present, and future through photography, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Home Waters is 9"x 9" and has 124 glossy pages.

"Storytelling and imagery from a diversity of voices and perspectives - raw, honest and overflowing with reverence for this sacred and generous basin."

Bobby Brunoe, DRC Board Chair, and Wasco Tribal Member


There are two ways to receive your book. 

  1. ($45) Pick up at your convenience from Dudley's Bookshop Cafe in Downtown Bend, our 1% for the Planet Bookstore Partner and Home Waters exclusive bookstore. 
     
  2. ($55) Receive your copy in the mail with an additional charge for shipping and handling

Coming soon! Additional non-bookshop retail locations around Central Oregon.

Need to subscribe? Click here. 

Follow us!

Deschutes River Conservancy | 541.382.4077 | info@deschutesriver.org

 
Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences