Oregon Water Vision

Our Shared Vision

To address changes in climate and population dynamics, Oregonians will take care of our water to ensure we have enough clean water for our people, our economy, and our environment, now and for future generations. Oregonians will invest strategically in infrastructure and ecosystems across all regions to support resilient communities, vibrant local economies, and a healthy environment for all who live here.

Goals

Each goal below is important. No single goal can be fully realized independent of the others. Recognizing that tension, we need to invest in a range of innovative solutions that work in balance for our shared water future.

Health: Clean water for all who live in Oregon

Water should be fishable, swimmable, and drinkable. Investments in ecosystem health, and built and natural infrastructure will provide reliable access to clean water.

Economy: Sustainable and clean water to support local economic vitality

Diverse and resilient agricultural, timber, fishing, hi-tech, energy, and recreation economies require a reliable and clean water supply. Investments in built and natural water infrastructure will support high quality jobs across all Oregon communities.

Environment: Adequate cool, clean water to sustain Oregon’s ecosystems for healthy fish and wildlife

Cool, clean water and healthy forests, wetlands, riparian areas, streams, and estuaries provide essential natural processes that maintain and enhance water quality for fish and wildlife. Investments in ecosystems also provide recreational opportunities for those who live in and visit Oregon.

Safety: Resilient water supplies and flood protection systems for Oregon’s communities

Natural and built water systems designed to protect communities, and increase their resiliency to disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, floods, drought, and sea level rise, are important for all Oregon communities. Investments in those systems will help create safer communities and healthier ecosystems.

Investing in Our Water Future

Many areas of Oregon are known for clean and reliable water. As identified in Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy, some of the forces that combine to place significant stress on Oregon’s water and water systems include:

Climate change and associated increases in temperature, wildfire, drought, damaging floods, and harmful algal blooms;
A half century of underinvestment in built and natural water infrastructure;
Our changing population and associated development – growing in some areas, shrinking in others; and
Too much demand for too little water for in-stream and out-of-stream uses.

These factors impact the quality and quantity of water for our communities, including water in our rivers, lakes, oceans, reservoirs, and aquifers. Simply put, if we are not willing to roll up our sleeves and work together to invest in the ecosystems that sustain us along with built and natural water infrastructure, we place the safety of our communities, the health of our people and environment, and Oregon’s economic future at risk.

Call to Action

Oregon’s limited water supplies are already being shaped by climate and population changes. We must both act now and plan for the long term. How we choose to care for our water will determine if we pass a legacy of clean and sustainable water to future generations.

Events

Future events will be posted here.