The Harney Water Collaborative brings together a broad range of public and private participants working toward a Harney Basin where water is managed sustainably for generations to come and is supporting thriving farms and ranches, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities that carry forward the cultures and ways of life that define this place. To meet this vision, this means achieving:
- Sustainable water management
- Voluntary actions
- Shared understanding
- Practical solutions
- Community leadership and coordination
To achieve these goals, the Harney Water Collaborative has built a Work Plan that serves as an action roadmap for the next two to three years. It is a living document that will be updated as conditions evolve. The initial actions of the Work Plan include:
1. Monitoring Groundwater Use and Availability
Track water use and groundwater level trends by subarea from 2018 onward. This includes exploring a groundwater accounting platform, developing a list of approved water meters, phasing installation of meters by March 2028, and evaluating alternative measurement approaches such as remote sensing (OpenET) and electricity usage data.
2. Voluntary Actions to Reduce Water Use
Support ranchers and farmers in voluntarily reducing groundwater use through multiple strategies:
- Voluntary agreements
- Irrigation efficiency improvements
- Reducing irrigated acreage
- Agriculture innovation
- Providing trusted technical assistance to ranchers and farmers
3. Domestic Well and Practical Solutions
Ensure that rural residents and domestic well users are not left behind. Dedicated funds are already committed; the goal is to have enough funds available for any domestic well user who needs help accessing water.
4. Shared Understanding
Create accessible, easy-to-understand information and timelines so ranchers, farmers, landowners, and community members know what the rules mean, when they apply, and what voluntary steps they can take.
5. Community Leadership and Coordination
The Collaborative meets quarterly and a Harney County Groundwater Community Resource Center will be established to serve as a shared hub for information, questions, answers, and community engagement.
Studies, Plans, Regulatory Resources, Domestic Well Resources & Well Fund >>
