As the Harney Basin  grapples with how to address over-allocated aquifers, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) has continued its efforts to monitor water use in the basin to ensure that irrigated acres have an associated groundwater right consistent with Oregon law.

So far this year, the department has not identified unauthorized irrigation of acres. Last year, the department identified three properties that were irrigating acres without an associated groundwater right, and all three have remained in compliance with the law during this irrigation season.

“The department understands that unauthorized uses of water are a concern to the community, and we are glad to report that we have not identified any properties that are irrigating without a groundwater right this year,” Ivan Gall, field services division administrator, said. “We will continue to investigate potential unauthorized uses and proceed with enforcement action as necessary.”

In 2019, the department identified three instances in the Harney Basin of irrigation of water without a groundwater right. Two of the three users ceased water use upon a conversation with the watermaster or receiving notice from the watermaster of the violation. The third user continued to irrigate through the 2019 season. The department took formal enforcement action against the third user and assessed civil penalties and damages totaling $21,582.

Unauthorized uses of water can impact other water users that have a legal right to use water. Groundwater in the Harney Basin is being used faster than it can be replenished, meaning that the current volume of authorized groundwater use is unsustainable. Under Oregon law, all water belongs to the public and, generally, a permit or license must be obtained to use water from any source, including groundwater. The department’s watermasters are responsible for distributing water among authorized uses, as well as addressing water use that is not in compliance with the law. If the department suspects unauthorized use, efforts are made to inform, educate, and work with landowners to come into compliance. Potential unauthorized water use should be reported to local watermasters. Individuals who want to report a potential unauthorized use of water in the Harney Basin should contact the District 10 watermaster, JR Johnson, at (541) 573-2764 or JR.Johnson@oregon.gov.

Watermaster contact information for other areas can be found at: www.oregon.gov/OWRD/aboutus/contactus/Pages/RegionalOfficesandWatermastersDirectory.aspx.

In 2016, a cooperative groundwater study between the Water Resources Department and United States Geological Survey was launched to evaluate the state of groundwater resources in the Harney Basin. The final, peer-reviewed report is projected to be available to the public in 2021. Preliminary results from the study show that groundwater is over-allocated, and declines in some areas are worse than anticipated. Once the groundwater study reports are published, the department will meet with community members and landowners to discuss proposed next steps regarding voluntary and regulatory approaches to reduce groundwater use to achieve reasonably stable groundwater levels. The department is also working collaboratively to explore voluntary strategies to reduce groundwater use through a community-based water planning effort.

To receive future updates about OWRD actions in the Harney Basin, please subscribe to the mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/06af95c5f6a8/owrdharneybasin.

For more information on the Groundwater Study, community based water planning, and other work in the basin, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/owrd/programs/administrativebasins/malheur-lake-basin/Pages/default.aspx. The Oregon Water Resources Department is the state agency charged with studying, allocating, and distributing water in Oregon. Visit OWRD at www.oregon.gov/owrd.