Community based water planning surface waterproject period: 01 july 2023 31 may 2025BUDGET period: 01 july 2023 31 may 2025AWARD purpose: this financial assistance award will be used to support two…

This $250,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the USGS Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) will support two major water projects in the Harney Basin of Oregon: 1) a beaver survey and analysis of stream water storage potential, and 2) flood flow distribution modeling of the Harney Valley under different flow regimes. The funding will also support the Community Based Water Planning Collaborative's development of an Integrated Water Resources Plan for the region. Key deliverables include maps of beaver locations and priority reestablishment sites, a report on potential water and carbon storage from beaver, a memo on model limitations, a report on flood flow modeling results, and a draft Integrated Water Resources Plan for state approval. The Harney County Watershed Council, Inc. is the primary awardee, with subrecipients providing field support and data collection as well as facilitating collaborative meetings and developing planning documents.

Activities

Beaver study deliverables: maps showing beaver locations, potential locations and priority reestablishment sites. Report documenting potential water and carbon storage. Silvies flood flow study deliverables: memo on limitations of the model, report on the model results, 2-d model of the floodplain between five mile DAM and malheur lake.a draft integrated water resources plan and reports ready to submit to the oregon water resources commission for approval and adoption.deliverables and expected outcomes: the beaver study will result in an improved understanding of the water storage potential from beaver reintroduction and priority locations for such actions. The flow distribution study will provide improved understanding of areas frequently flooded as floodplain recharge areas.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries include individuals living, working, and managing land both on and adjacent to the harney basin.

Subrecipient activities

Subrecipients contractors will support project efforts in the field as well as collecting data. Activities will include: plan and facilitate monthly collaborative meetings. Work with work groups ecological, vegetation MGT, surface water MGT and surface groundwater interaction work group. Develop written materials in line with owrd place-based planning guidance.