Welcome Winter

We welcome the snow and precipitation over the past couple of weeks and the anticipation of more in the coming week; however, over several years of drought, much more than average precipitation is needed over an extended period to mitigate the impacts on our dried soils, our refuges, our infrastructure, our groundwater resources to include the shallow and deep aquifers supplying our domestic and agricultural wells.


The recent precipitation has NOT improved inflow into Upper Klamath Lake from the Williamson River; the Williamson is still running well below 25% of normal flows for this time of year (actually flows are in the bottom 5% on most days). The inflows we see into Upper Klamath Lake are reminiscent of the conditions recorded in 1918; a year when Yulalona (aka Link River) went dry in mid-July. (Click here to learn more about Yulalona)


We still need 3-4 more feet of snow in the upper watershed to get the Upper Basin into an average water year. With several years of drought, several more feet of snow above average levels is desperately needed to address the dry conditions of our forests and lands between the snow-pack and the feeder streams to Upper Klamath Lake.

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Klamath Basin Water Year 2022 Assessment

(as of 30 December 2021)


Conditions in the Upper Klamath Basin are not anticipated to meet all the needs identified by numerous stakeholders across the watershed in 2022.

Click Here or the graphicto view the most recent 2022 Water Year projection graphs, updates, and analysis for the Klamath Basin.
NRCS National Weather and Climate Center Interactive Map
Current Klamath Country Drought Conditions provided at drought.gov
Oregon Water Resources Department Bi-Weekly State Drought Update
Read Reclamation's response to K.I.D.'s 2022 Irrigation Season Water-Up Plan

Recently announced 2021 Related Drought program

Resources and information

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Director’s Office

635 Capitol St NE

Salem, OR 97301-2532

503.986.4550 | Oregon.gov/ODA

Oregon Disaster Assistance Payments (ODAP)


On December 13, 2021, the Oregon Legislature approved SB 892, which established the framework for a unique forgivable disaster loan program for Oregon’s farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disasters in 2021. The forgivable loan program intends to provide direct assistance payments to producers where there are gaps in federal funding or act as bridge loan for when the USDA FSA disaster program begins.


View the Flyer

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USDA Offers Online Tool for Drought-Stricken Ranchers to 

Estimate Compensation for Feed Transportation Costs


The deadline to apply for ELAP, including feed transportation costs, for 2021 is Jan. 31, 2022.


Read More

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USDA Builds Pandemic Support for Certified Organic and Transitioning Operations


Signup for 2020 and 2021 OTECP will be Nov. 8, 2021, through Jan. 7, 2022.


Read More

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Upcoming Events

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12 January 2022 at 2p.m. in the KWUA conference room

Klamath Water Users Association January Meeting


Visit the KWUA website

Click Here to read Klamath Water Users Association's December 2021 Newsletter

Klamath Irrigation District Annual Meeting and January Meeting


Klamath Irrigation District's annual meeting and regular meeting will be held on 13 January 2022 in the K.I.D. conference room at 10 a.m.


Visit our website

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Mid-Pacific water Users Annual Conference


Click Here for more information

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January 19-21, 2022 at the Silver Legacy Resort in Reno, NV.

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JANUARY 20 & 21, 2022

SEATTLE, WA


29th Annual Endangered Species Act Conference


Registration Information

Oregon Water Resources Congress January Board Meeting


A draft agenda for the 27 January meeting will be sent out after the first of the year.

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27 January 2022 Bend Oregon.

Special Districts Association of Oregon Annual Meeting


Visit the SDAO website for more information. Register now!

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February 10-13, 2022 in Eugene at The Graduate or online via the conference platform.

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Focusing on those who are on the ground, working hard to manage Western water.

SILVER LEGACY RESORT

RENO, NEVADA

February 24-25, 2022

Family Farm Alliance

Annual Conference


"THOSE IN THE ARENA"




REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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News Stories Recently Shared with Us

Are the news stories we have previously shared and those below informative to you?
Yes
No
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"But in Central and Eastern Oregon, where precipitation had been below-average this fall, drought may continue unabated."

Snow, rain brighten 2022 Western water outlook, but not for everyone


“There’s probably going be an East-West divide this year,” said O’Neill. “Even though a lot of times you hear the Pacific Northwest is doing great this winter, Central Oregon probably isn’t going to recover this year. I want to make sure people are prepared.”


By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN Capital Press Dec 28, 2021

Alex Schwartz's

"Project Klamath" - Report for America

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PROJECT KLAMATH

Saving a watershed in the climate change era


Part 1

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FISH AND CHIPS

The future of agriculture in the Klamath Basin


Part 2


Part 3 - Heal the People Heal the Land


Part 4 - Blockage

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Two Basins in 2050


Part 5


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Upper Klamath wetland restoration stirs concern among irrigators


By GEORGE PLAVEN Capital Press Dec 6, 2021 


Read More

Hatcheries may be the last best hope for endangered sucker fish in the Klamath Basin

By Jes Burns (OPB)

Dec. 6, 2021 5 a.m.


This story fails to mention, or give any credit to the "Gone Fishing" recovery program sponsored by Liskey Farms and others in the Klamath Project.


This story also fails to mention 82 juvenile suckers salvaged from the A Canal forebay by the USFWS hatchery. These fish were PIT tagged and later released by USFWS on Monday 9/27/21 at Rocky Point. These 82 juvenile suckers ranged in size from ~105 to 225 mm. Two of the suckers were salvaged in 2020 at the same locution. A third fish captured at this location was from the Gone Fishing program; this fish was originally released into Rocky Point in 2020.L


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Click here to read the story and view a video.

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Economists say several factors have caused retail meat prices to jump


By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press Dec 28, 2021 Updated Dec 28, 2021


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Potato market outlook mixed for 2022


Global supply is tight. European production dropped. And although Canada produced its biggest potato crop ever, “moving them around where they’re needed is extremely difficult


By BRAD CARLSON Capital Press Dec 21, 2021


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Analysts: Global milk supply tightens, opening door to higher prices


By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press Dec 22, 2021


Read More

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U.S. dairy farmers reduce herd, slow production


By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press Dec 22, 2021

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In the market for dirt: Who's buying Oregon's farmland, and why?


By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN Capital Press Dec 16, 2021


Read More 

Managing water rights and limited water supplies in times of persistent drought

By Stoel Rives LLP

December 23, 2021


As part of our ongoing series, How Oregon Works, The Portland Business Journal sat down with various industry leaders to discuss workforce issues – everything from how employers can best keep diversity, equity and inclusion top of mind, to specific challenges that affect some of the most important sectors and organizations in our region.

 

In this short Q&A, we hear from David Filippi, partner at Stoel Rives LLP with expertise in the areas of water, fish and wildlife, and hydropower. He shares his perspective related to the consecutive years of drought conditions that Oregon has experienced and how businesses can take steps to protect their water rights, secure future water supplies, and evaluate what lies ahead.

Read more...

Direct checks could ignite cover crop surge; crop insurance may play role, too

December 20, 2021

By Philip Brasher and Noah Wicks


The Biden administration is betting big that farmers across the country can be enticed to start growing cover crops by the combination of direct payments and the development of carbon markets that could turn the conservation practice into a long-term source of revenue.

 

The $1.7 trillion Build Back Better bill that Democrats are vowing to enact in some form would authorize payments of $25 an acre over five years to farmers who plant cover crops.

 

The payments would induce farmers to plant more than 50 million acres of cover crops by 2026, according to a Senate aide familiar with the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the plan. That would be three to four times as many acres currently reported to USDA.

 

The payments would help farmers scale up the practice and eventually qualify for new revenue streams from carbon credits or premiums for commodities such as corn that qualify as low-carbon.

Read more...

Opportunities

Grant Funds Available for Wetlands Projects

The Oregon Department of State Lands is pleased to announce a 2022 funding opportunity for projects that restore, create, or improve wetlands and other aquatic resources. 


When impacts to wetlands and waterways occur as part of removal-fill activity, compensatory mitigation is required to replace the lost resource. For some projects, purchasing mitigation credits directly from DSL is an option. DSL deposits credit payments to the Mitigation Fund, and then seeks to provide grant funds for mitigation projects that replace the resources lost.


2022 Funding Priorities

Location: DSL seeks to replace aquatic resources in the same watersheds where impacts occur. This year’s priority location is the Rogue Basin (see basin map) with approximately 7 acres of wetland mitigation obligations. Projects in other basins will be considered as funds allow. 


Project Type: The priority is projects that will yield additional wetland acreage and function. Projects that consist solely of improvements or preservation of existing wetlands and other aquatic resources are a lower priority. Acquisition of land or easements may be included as necessary, but acquisition alone does not qualify. 


Basin Priorities: Priorities for the Rogue Basin are:

• Restoration of wetlands that improve water quality or address recognized impairments, including water temperature

• Restoration of wetlands that support native fish species

Letters of Intent Due February 1, 2022

Submitting a letter of intent is the first step in applying for grant funding. Please review the selection criteria, process summary, and letter of intent guidelines available here. Strong candidates for funding will be invited to submit a full project proposal. The priority deadline to receive letters of intent is Tuesday, February 1, 2022 by 11:59 p.m.


Upcoming Grant Information Session on January 5

DSL will host an informational session via Zoom for potential applicants to learn more. The session will include a presentation by DSL staff, followed by time for questions.


Wednesday, January 5

10 a.m. to noon, via Zoom

Join the Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 879 7450 3060

Zoom passcode: 7$pJZ.J=

Join by phone: 253-215-8782

Phone passcode: 46877296


Contact DSL: For questions about this funding opportunity, including technical questions about project specific elements, qualifying criteria, and long-term management, contact:

Melody Rudenko, Mitigation Specialist

Melody.Rudenko@dsl.oregon.gov 

503-508-4035


The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is pleased to announce an offering for Organizational Collaboration Grant applications.

The purpose of these grants is to support new or expanded strategic collaborations to build resilient, sustainable, local organizations that achieve ecological outcomes and engage local communities. 

The revised Organizational Collaboration grant offering will focus funding specifically toward organizations pursuing operational changes that address gaps in capacity and improve delivery of actions to protect and restore native fish and wildlife habitats and water quality and stream flows.

Eligible activities include:

• Mergers/consolidations.

• Development of formal alliances, such as an arrangement between two or more organizations to work together on a mutually beneficial project while retaining organizational independence.

• Development of action networks, including a network of organizations that seek complete alignment to achieve specific objectives.


Application Information

The Organizational Collaboration grant application is available through OWEB’s Online Grant Application system. 

The maximum request is $75,000.

All partnerships interested in submitting a grant application are required to participate in a pre-application consultation with OWEB staff.

Consultations will occur beginning in October and can be scheduled by contacting Courtney Shaff, OWEB (971-345-7012). 

Applications are due by February 24, 2022 at 5pm. 


Tumalo Irrigation District - Ditchrider

Starting Wage: $22.00 to $25.00 DOE

This full-time position is being advertised November 2021 until filled. Applications/ resume should be submitted to the District office at staff@tumalo.org. To view full job announcement visit our website at: http://www.tumalo.org.

https://www.owrc.org/resources/job-opportunities

 

Tumalo Irrigation District - Maintenance

Starting Wage: $20.00 – 23.00 DOE

This full-time position is being advertised November 2021 until filled. Applications/ resume should be submitted to the District office at staff@tumalo.org. To view full job announcement, visit our website at: http://www.tumalo.org

https://www.owrc.org/resources/job-opportunities 

Rockwood Water People's Utility District - Government Affairs Coordinator

 

West Multnomah SWCD - Field Conservation Intern & GIS & Field Conservation Intern

 

Lower Umpqua Library District - Library Director/District Manager

 

Boardman Park & Recreation District - Recreation Facility Manager

 

Sweet Home Fire & Ambulance District - Fire Chief


North Gilliam County Health District - Clinic Administrator

 

North Gilliam County Health District EMS Chief of Staff

 

Port of Arlington - Executive Director

 

Boardman Park & Recreation District - District Manager

 

Salem Area Mass Transit District - Network & Security Administrator

 

Jackson County Library Services - Social Worker

 

Sunrise Water Authority - GIS/Technical Specialist

 

Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District - Training and Certification Coordinator

 

North Clackamas County Water Commission - Water Treatment Plant Operator

 

Sandy Fire District - Bookkeeper/Financial Analyst

 

Port of Columbia County - Property Manager

 

West Multnomah SWCD - Forest Conservationist

 

Jackson County Library Services - IT Technician

 

Netarts-Oceanside Sanitary District - Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator

 

Jackson County Library Services - Administrative Assistant

 

Salem Area Mass Transit District - Security Coordinator

 

Columbia River PUD - Mechanic


Sunset Empire Park & Recreation District - Human Resource & Administrative Coordinator

 

Clackamas River Water - Chief Financial Officer

 

High Desert Parks & Recreation District - District Manager

 

Salem Area Mass Transit District - Service Technician

 

Salem Area Mass Transit District - Service Worker


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