1. Aberdeen-Springfield Canal Company, Aberdeen, ID
2. Arnold Irrigation District, Bend, OR
3. Central Oregon Irrigation District, Bend, OR
4. Farmers Irrigation District, Hood River, OR
5. Grants Pass Irrigation District, Grants Pass, OR
6. Medford Irrigation District, Medford, OR
7. North Unit Irrigation District, Madras, OR
8. Ochoco Irrigation District, Prineville, OR
9. Owyhee Ditch Company, Ontario, OR
10. Owyhee Irrigation District, Nyssa, OR
11. Rogue River Valley Irrigation District, Medford, OR
12. Stanfield Irrigation District, Stanfield, OR
13. Swalley Irrigation District, Bend, OR
14. Talent Irrigation District, Talent, OR
15. The Dalles Irrigation District, The Dalles, OR
16. Tumalo Irrigation District, Bend, OR
17. Tulelake Irrigation District, Tulelake, CA
18. Warmsprings Irrigation District, Vale, OR
19. Westland Irrigation District, Hermiston, OR
The objective of the project is to implement a technology-based approach to help the 19 consortium member’s further develop water conservation programs and improve system efficiencies. The utilization of water markets and leasing programs will be considered as well.
The underlying technology, known as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), will be utilized in conjunction with aerial photography to identify inefficiencies within the service area of each consortium member. Rusty Merritt, President of Geo-Spatial Solutions, Inc. (Bend, OR), the company responsible for implementing the technology, explains “GIS technology will provide consortium members with a foundation of workflow processes centered on the utilization of technology to identify water conservation opportunities and quantify potential savings in an efficient, effective, and innovative fashion.”
Once the GIS analysis has been conducted, consortium members will be asked to derive action plans centered on water banking, leasing, and improving overall management efficiencies. The Deschutes Resources Conservancy (Bend, OR) and Oregon Water Trust (Portland, OR) will provide technical assistance on this front.
GSS is an Oregon Small Business S-Corporation with expertise in the land use, water resources, and irrigation operations sectors and specializes in the design, development and deployment of information systems and content based on GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology, implementation, and maintenance activities specially suited to irrigation districts and canal companies.
The Water 2025 Challenge Grant Program annually funds a variety of projects to make more efficient use of existing water supplies through water conservation and water market projects as authorized under state laws. The program focuses on meeting the goals identified in Water 2025: Preventing Crises and Conflict in the West -- encouraging voluntary water banks and other market-based measures, promoting the use of new technology for water conservation and efficiency, and removing institutional barriers to increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal and private organizations.
Swalley Irrigation District, GSS, and the Northwest Water 2025 GIS and Aerial Imagery Consortium will now work with Reclamation to secure a cooperative agreement and complete any required regulatory processes. Groundbreaking on the project is anticipated in early August, with completion required within 24 months.
Information on Water 2025 is available online at www.doi.gov/water2025. Information on the Northwest Water 2025 GIS and Aerial Imagery Consortium can be granted through http://www.swalley.com/ or www.geospatialsolutions.com.
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