Lou Wettstein, Guest Contributor
In thinking of something to express, there are a myriad of things going on. Economic development is an issue in the State and in Malheur County, PERS reform, and the list goes on. But in my mind, one of the most significant issues in our area year after year – is water.
It has been 81 years since the dedication of the Owyhee Dam, and as I sat below that magnificent structure at the 75th year ceremony, I was in awe, and am still in awe of the impact it has had on this valley. Much of the American West is arid and as I have traveled much of it with children living in Colorado, Arizona, and living next to Idaho, we find out what an effect stored water and pumping has on each of us. We take way too much for granted as we look out over the landscape and see the green that surrounds us.
Owyhee Dam, Photo Courtesy of wikimedia.org
The water has been brought to the land at some great expense, but proper use and conservation is of the utmost concern in what we have to consider. Improvements go in every year in making the system much more efficient. The cost of a pivot that irrigates 130 acres is around $70,000. A lot of collaboration goes on between the Soil and Water Conservation Department (SWCD), Owyhee Watershed Council (OWC), and Malheur Watershed Council to drive these efficiencies. Each year through grants and the Oregon Watershed enhancement board, a lot of money is invested to make improvements. It would pay for anyone that is anticipating improvements in the delivery system to their farms to contact one of these organizations to see what aid can be given. I’ve mentioned only delivery to farms but water that leaves the farm also comes under scrutiny as well. As water finds it way to aquifers, that water must be as clean as possible. Much more effort has to be placed on water leaving the farms, cities and industry. The SWCD staff monitors water quality in local streams and its data is used by several agencies. There is a local advisory council made up of water users and providers that look over data that has been accumulated by SWCD, which tells us where we have been and where we are going. There is always a need for improvement, but at what cost.
Lottery dollars go to fund the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, which in turn by the request of local groups, are scored as to their viability and are then awarded dollars to fund projects. The Malheur Watershed group has been given nearly 5 million dollars to bury pipe lines, convert from flood to sprinkler, restore vegetation of river banks, and much more. Much of this has to be done because of DEQ and EPA regulations and the effect it has on down stream water. The OWC has received since 2001, 4.5 million dollars for similar projects. This is matched by recipients, with another $4.6 million and the National Resources Conservation Service Agency putting in an additional $1.2 million. In Idaho, $989,000 worth of work is done, contributed by Idaho dollars. So in total, there has been $20 million utilized to improve water systems in Malheur County in the past ten years. The Malheur Experiment Station was awarded funding to provide educational opportunities such as field days, workshops, brochures, and website materials.
Each year the OWC has a two day field event at the Owyhee Dam for 5th graders. This field day is sponsored by merchants in the valley, and approximately 500 to 750 youth attend. There are 25 stations set up to teach various ways that water is used. Irrigation, livestock, crops, and wildlife all depend on that water.
While my focus has been more on the Owyhee Dam, there are approximately 173,000 acres irrigated in the Vale, Nyssa, and Ontario area. The economic impact to this area is great, and there is a great deal of history behind all of this. I would encourage all to visit the dam. They have an admirable museum, and you can learn about the sacrifice and forethought that went into this abundant valley. We have a great place to live, and the history brings it to life.