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.

For more about the DBWC, please check out the latest version of the charter: June 12, 2020 DBWC Charter