Overview
The Water Resources Development Program helps Oregonians address instream and out-of-stream water supply needs now and into the future. The Program includes funding opportunities and other resources through three program components: Planning Grants, Feasibility Study Grants, and Water Project Grants and Loans.
Updates & Announcements
Water Project Grant and Loans
Update
The Oregon Water Resources Department invites applications for instream and out-of-stream water supply projects through the Water Project Grants and Loans funding opportunity. The Department has approximately $3 million available for the 2021 funding cycle.
Application materials for 2021 are now available.
2021 Water Projects Grants and Loans applications are due by
5:00 p.m. on April 28, 2021.
Announcement
The Water Resources Commission awarded $4.8 million in grants to three projects for the 2020 cycle of Water Project Grants and Loans. The following projects were awarded funding:
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Tumalo Irrigation District's Deschutes Basin Flow Restoration Group 3 Project (Deschutes County) was awarded $1.2 million to improve irrigation efficiency by installing a closed piping system and protecting the conserved water in Tumalo Creek. The improvements would serve to deliver pressurized water to patrons and eliminate the need for wasteful retention ponds.
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East Fork Irrigation District's Eastside Lateral Pipeline & Water Conservation Project (Hood River County) was awarded $2 million to replace 6 miles of open irrigation canals with pipe and eliminate end spills. The conserved water would benefit the East Fork Hood River during periods of low flow.
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Lone Pine Irrigation District's Modernization Project (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties) received a $1.6 million award to pipe 10.5 miles of open canals and construct a new river crossing for the delivery system. System efficiencies would be achieved in addition to legally protecting the conserved water instream
Learn more about Water Project Grants and Loans
Feasibility Study Grants
The Department received nine complete Feasibility Study Grant applications requesting $988,127 for the current funding cycle. Feasibility Study Grants provide funding for qualifying costs of project planning studies that evaluate the feasibility of developing a water conservation, reuse, or storage project.
The following are study summaries adapted from grant applications received by October 15, 2020.
View the Feasibility Grant Application Study Summaries – November 2020
Feasibility Study Grant web page
Public Comment Opportunity
There is currently no open public comment opportunity.
Planning Grants
The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts. The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts.
Learn more about Planning Grants
Feasibility Study Grants
Feasibility Study Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of the costs of studies to evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, and storage projects. This competitive funding opportunity helps individuals and communities investigate whether a proposed project idea is actually feasible and worth pursuing. Grants are offered on an annual basis, with applications due each fall. As of August 2020, approximately $1 million is available for grants.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
Water Project Grants & Loans
Water Project Grants and Loans provides funding for projects that will help Oregon meet its instream and out-of-stream water supply needs and produce economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects. Grants and loans are offered on an annual basis, with the applications due each spring. The Department has approximately $3 million available for the 2021 funding cycle.
Learn more about applying for Water Project Grants and Loans.