Modernizing Mid-Columbia River Water Management
Optimizing infrastructure, memorializing community commitments.
Securing water for the future.
Why This Matters
Over time, water systems and water management needs have evolved. Legal frameworks have not kept pace. This proposal updates Oregon’s water management laws, adding flexibility where warranted and prioritizing state resources accordingly, all in a manner that reflects how modern water systems can and should operate more eff iciently, with more agility, and more responsiveness, while at the same time ensuring environmental and regulatory protections at the points of diversion.
A Coordinated Approach
To support long-term water reliability, communities and local governments formed the Northeast Oregon Water Association (NOWA) in 2012 to coordinate planning and collaboration across jurisdictions. They later established the Mid-Columbia Water Commission (Mid-C) as a public, intergovernmental entity to manage shared Columbia River water infrastructure, operations, water-right administration, and compliance reporting.
Together, this structure ensures water is managed efficiently, transparently,
and responsibly, benefiting communities, agriculture, and the environment.
This proposal
modernizes the legal
framework for symbiotically
managing Columbia River
water to better reflect the
need for more eff icient
water use and to focus
state resources where
needed most.
What Is Being Proposed
The end use of water does not change;
management between diversion and use does.
This legislation provides a targeted update to improve how existing Columbia River
irrigation water rights and associated mitigation are managed and
Enables an approach
to account for water
use in shared-system
infrastructure
Focuses state
resources
on diversions, while
recognizing local
government expertise
for water delivery
management
Allows participation
in an established
district water-rights
mapping process, so
water use is reflected
correctly on a systemwide basis
Supports
groundwater
recovery
and long-term
water reliability
Built on Proven Planning and Investment
This proposal is the result of decades of coordinated planning, collaboration, and investment.
This legislation closes a remaining policy gap by
ensuring water systems serving communities and
agriculture are utilized to their maximum potential.
2008
The Umatilla Sub-Basin
2050 Water Management
Plan identified the need
to reduce groundwater
pumping by responsibly
using Columbia River water.
2012
Regional efforts led to the creation of the Columbia River– Umatilla Solutions Task Force (CRUST) and was convened by then-Governor John Kitzhaber, establishing a cooperative framework and legislative funding package to develop regional water-supply projects while protecting fisheries.
Local governments and stakeholders formed NOWA to coordinate long-term water-reliability solutions.
2015-current
Invested over $300 million in shared Columbia River infrastructure.
Secured mitigated water-right permits from Oregon Water Resources Department, and annual instream rights as qualifying mitigation.
Integrated dozens of individual water rights into coordinated diversion and delivery systems.
Established Mid-C under ORS190 to manage operations and compliance reporting.
Did You Know?
French fries served nationwide often start in Morrow County, where irrigated potatoes supply major food processors and restaurant chains.
Umatilla County wheat is exported around the world, becoming noodles, crackers, and pastries in Japan and other Asian markets.
Hay and other feed crops grown here support domestic dairy operations and feed cattle in Asia and the Middle East.
Food from Umatilla and Morrow counties moves through the Port of Morrow, connecting local farms to global markets.
The Ordnance Project alone – one of three regional projects built since 2015 – will support more than 2,450 permanent jobs, generate over $3 billion in additional business activity, and deliver lasting property and income tax benefits for Oregon while also recovering depleted groundwater aquifers.
Establishing a Framework to Symbiotically Manage Columbia River Water Rights for our Communities, Farmers, and the Environment.
Who are NOWA and the Mid-Columbia Water Commission (Mid-C)?
The Northeast Oregon Water Association (NOWA) is a regional coalition formed in 2012 to help communities, agriculture, and local governments work together on long-term water reliability and drought resilience in the Mid-Columbia region of Oregon. The Mid-Columbia Water Commission (Mid-C) is a public, intergovernmental entity created by local governments to manage shared Columbia River water infrastructure, operations, water rights, and reporting on a regional basis. Together, NOWA and Mid-C coordinate planning, investment, operations, and compliance reporting so water is managed efficiently, responsibly, and transparently in Northeast Oregon.
What is being proposed?
NOWA and the Mid-C are proposing legislation that improves how existing Columbia River irrigation water rights and related mitigation eff orts in the Mid-Columbia region are managed and tracked. The proposal aligns management and accounting with how many regional water systems already operate, staying within established legal limits while improving accuracy, transparency, and efficiency. It also allows the Mid-C to participate in an existing and proven district water-rights mapping process so water use can be reflected accurately and managed on a regional basis, supporting groundwater protection, administrative efficiency, and long-term water reliability.
Why is this legislation needed now?
Over the past decade, the Mid-Columbia region has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in shared water infrastructure to sustain and enhance economic development, reduce groundwater pumping, protect aquifers, and improve drought resilience. Administrative requirements have not kept pace with how these regional systems operate today. This proposed legislation updates the regulatory framework so it reflects current infrastructure, improves efficiency, and ensures ongoing investments deliver their full potential.
Does this proposal increase water use or create new water rights?
No. The proposal does not authorize new water rights, increase diversion rates, extend seasons of use, or add new diversion points. All existing limits remain in place, and total withdrawals from the Columbia River continue to be measured and regulated.
Does this reduce state oversight of the diversion of water from the river or
the role of the Oregon Water Resources Department?
No. The Oregon Water Resources Department will continue to oversee water rights, diversions, compliance, and enforcement. In addition, managing water through districts and intergovernmental entities adds another layer of accountability at the local level. Water use is measured in real time, regularly reported, and subject to Department review. Moreover, the Mid-C as a public entity has both a fiduciary responsibility to their patrons and the state, creating strong incentives for transparency, accuracy, and compliance.
Will this weaken protections for the Columbia River?
No. River protections, flow limits, and environmental safeguards remain fully in place, and in fact, puts the Mid-C in a better position to manage mitigation projects to ensure water right terms and conditions are met. The proposal applies only to existing, permitted water rights and focuses on improving how those rights are managed, not expanding them.
Will this pollute aquifers or increase nutrient contamination?
No. Nutrient application and groundwater protection are already regulated, and additional nutrient tracking and reporting requirements are being implemented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Growers use nutrients efficiently because it is both economically and environmentally responsible. The proposal supports groundwater protection by reducing reliance on native groundwater and encouraging more precise water use.
Does this proposal result in “water spreading?”
No. Water spreading refers to the illegal practice of using water on more acres of land than is authorized by the water right. For the water rights managed by the Mid-C, the water rights already include terms and conditions describing where and how water can be used. The proposal does not modify existing water rights by changing these terms and conditions, and it does not increase the amount of water diverted, extend the season of use, or authorize new uses. Rather, water will continue to only be delivered and used within existing boundaries. The change is
about improving water management and water right accounting after diversion.
What work has led to this proposal?
This proposal builds on more than two decades of regional planning, investment, and collaboration. In 2008, the Umatilla Sub-Basin 2050 Water Management Plan identified the need to reduce groundwater pumping by responsibly using Columbia River water. In response, local leaders formed NOWA in 2012 to coordinate regional solutions. That work led to the Columbia River–Umatilla Solutions Task Force (CRUST), convened by Governor Kitzhaber, which produced a declaration of cooperation and a legislative funding package to develop regional water supplies while protecting fisheries. Since 2015, the region has invested over $300 million in shared infrastructure, secured mitigation permits from the Oregon Water Resources Department, integrated dozens of water rights into coordinated diversion and delivery systems, and formed the Mid-C to manage operations and compliance reporting. This proposed legislation addresses a remaining policy gap so state laws and rules better align with how these regional systems are already functioning today.
What problem is this legislation trying to solve, often referred to as the “Color of Water” issue?
Water from the Columbia River is diverted at common, shared points under dozens of separate water rights, where the water under the various rights is physically commingled. While total river diversions are accurately measured in real time, current rules require artificial, behind-the-diversion accounting that treats each water right as if it were physically separate. This accounting system is commonly called the “color of water” issue and creates unnecessary complexity, administrative burden, and limits flexibility. Water can and should be accounted for and managed more holistically, with more of a regional, system-wide approach.
What does “Color of Water” mean?
“Color of Water” refers to the requirement to assign and track a separate accounting identity to each individual water right after water has already been diverted from the river even though the water molecules assigned to each right cannot be physically distinguished. The proposal does not change how much water is diverted or the purpose for which water is diverted; rather, it modernizes how existing water rights are tracked and managed after diversion, with the same level of protection for the resource.
Why is the proposal focused on the Columbia River and the Mid-Columbia region?
The proposal applies only to existing mainstem Columbia River water rights within a defined river reach in the Mid-Columbia region. At this time, more than 35 public and private Columbia River water rights are diverted at common, shared locations in this reach, with the water conveyed using shared infrastructure. The proposed legislation does not affect other basins,
ongoing water-rights settlements, or tribal negotiations. Its purpose is to better manage existing infrastructure and water supplies in this specific region while reducing pressure on native groundwater.
Does participation require landowners or water users to give up control of their water rights?
No. Participation is voluntary. Water-right holders retain their underlying rights and are not required to participate if they choose not to. The proposal simply provides an option for more effective cooperative and regional management.
How will water use be monitored and reported under this framework?
Water diversions from the Columbia River will continue to be measured in real time using existing metered and telemetered systems and remain fully regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department. In addition, regional management through the Mid-C adds a second layer of oversight, including consolidated reporting, auditing, and mapping of water use across shared
infrastructure. This results in more accurate reporting, clearer accountability, and stronger compliance than tracking individual water rights separately after diversion and with after-the-fact accounting calculations..
How does this benefit communities and the region?
The proposal improves transparency, reduces unnecessary administrative costs, supports groundwater stabilization, and ensures water is used where it provides the greatest benefit. It enables easier access and accountability for municipal water needs and partnerships with the district(s), strengthens long- term water reliability for communities, agriculture, and the environment while staying within existing legal and environmental limits.
Does this affect tribal negotiations or other river systems?
No. The proposal is limited to existing mainstem Columbia River water rights in a defined river reach and does not interfere with ongoing negotiations, settlements, or management efforts in other basins.
