What is the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative?

The Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative is a mechanism for stakeholders to collaborate on critical water allocation and management issues in the Deschutes Basin, and develop strategies to meet stream flow, ecological, agricultural, and community needs for water. The DBWC was built on the momentum of the Upper Deschutes Basin Study Working Group, the Water Summit convened by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the State of Oregon in the fall of 2018, as well as the legacy of the Deschutes Water Alliance.

Mission Statement

DBWC will work together to achieve balance of water use in the Deschutes Basin. DBWC will work cooperatively to:

  • Build clear, consistent communication across the Deschutes Basin among water users, stakeholders, and the public.
  • Support water projects in the Basin that advance DBWC goals and consensus agreements.
  • Support policies that advance DBWC goals and consensus agreements, and which balance water needs for the Basin.
  • Develop a comprehensive Deschutes Basin Water Plan for the Basin aligned with the state of Oregon’s Place-Based Integrated Water Resources Planning model.

Geography

The ultimate focus and framing of this effort is the entire Deschutes Basin. However, due in large part to momentum created by the Upper Deschutes Basin Study and Basin Study Working Group efforts, some areas are more ready for coordinated and collaborative implementation in the short term. Therefore, the initial focus will be on implementation activities involving the Upper and Middle Deschutes River main stem. There will be “cross-walks” to the Crooked River, Metolius, and Lower Deschutes Basins to ensure that actions on behalf of the Upper and Middle Deschutes do not have unintended consequences for the remainder of the Basin. Further, this effort will support the development of capacity to undertake similar collaborative engagement in other parts of the Basin, which could include research, outreach, identification of key issues, and action planning.

Click here for a map depicting the focus of the DBWC during phase one.

Who is part of DBWC?

Members of the Working Group that have adopted the DBWC Charter are as follows:

Oregon Governor’s Office; Oregon Dept. of Agriculture; Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality; Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife; Oregon Water Resources Dept.; US Fish & Wildlife Service; US Forest Service; Oregon Environmental Council; Arnold Irrigation District; Central Oregon Irrigation District; Deschutes Soil & Water Conservation District; Lone Pine Irrigation District; North Unit Irrigation District; Ochoco Irrigation District; Water for Life; Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Crook County; Jefferson County; League of Women Voters – Deschutes County; Avion Water Company; Central Oregon Cities Organization; City of Bend; City of La Pine; City of Prineville; City of Redmond; Central Oregon LandWatch; Yancy Lind (Citizen); Crooked River Watershed Council; Deschutes River Conservancy; Great Old Broads for Wilderness; Oregon Natural Desert Association; Sunriver Anglers; Trout Unlimited – Deschutes Redband Chapter; Trout Unlimited (State Office); Upper Deschutes Watershed Council; WaterWatch of Oregon; Portland General Electric; Coalition for the Deschutes; High Desert Food & Farm Alliance; Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District; Wild River Home Owner’s Association.

For a complete membership list, please see the linked roster: DBWC Roster

For more about the DBWC, please check out the latest version of the Charter: 2021_12_2_DBWC-Charter

Upcoming Meetings:

January 26, 2024 | 10:30-12:30pm | Hybrid

  • In person at Bend Municipal Court Room (inside of the Bend Police Department) 555 NE 15th St, Bend, OR 97701
  • Zoom link | Meeting ID: 828 2956 9523 | Passcode: 792135
  • Municipal Court Room Map

Previous Meeting Packets:

November 17, 2023

August 4, 2023

June 2, 2023

April 21, 2023

February 24, 2023

January 27th, 2023

October 28th, 2022

August 26th, 2022

April 25, 2022

December 7, 2021 **this meeting doesn’t follow the regular schedule due to holidays

August 23, 2021

June 28, 2021

April 26, 2021

February 22, 2021

*November 16, 2020

August 24, 2020

June 22, 2020

April 27, 2020

The DBWC Planning Team meets on the first Friday of every month from 1-3pm via Zoom. The Zoom information is available below.

Upcoming Meetings:

Friday, December 1, 2023 | 10:30-12:30pm

Previous Meeting Packets:

October 13, 2023

August 7th, 2023

July 10, 2023

June 16, 2023

May 19, 2023 – Rescheduled from May 5th

April 7, 2023

March 3, 2023

February 3, 2023

January 17, 2023

January 6, 2023

December 2, 2022

November 4, 2022

October 19, 2022

October 7, 2022

September 2, 2022

August 5, 2022

June 3, 2022

April 1, 2022

February 4, 2022

December 8 & 13, 2021 

October 1, 2021

August 6, 2021

June 4, 2021

April 2, 2021

February 5, 2o21

December 4, 2020

October 9, 2020

September 11, 2020

July 10, 2020

June 12, 2020

May 8, 2020

April 10, 2020

The DBWC Technical Committee has been revamped to consist of specific ad hoc meetings. Instead of one large group where all technical issues are addressed, these specific ad hoc meetings will be composed of agency and subject-matter experts designated by the Planning Team. Ad hoc Technical Committee meetings information will be posted here, the public is always welcome to join. For more information, please reach out to Sommers Taylor at staylor@coic.org

Previous Meeting Packets:

May 16, 2022

April 18, 2022

March 30, 2022

January 10, 2022

October 18, 2021

September 30, 2021 *(Special rescheuled date)

July 19, 2021

June 21, 2021

May 17, 2021

To learn more about this committee’s work or to join the meetings, please email lisa@deschutesriver.org

Sources:

 

For more information on COIC’s Community and Economic Development services and department, please contact:

Scott Aycock at (541) 548-9523 | Email 

 

Contact us

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

1250 NE Bear Creek Rd.
Bend, OR 97701

541-548-8163

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