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CategoryIssueDesired OutcomeStrategyTimeline to InitiateStatus
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Watershed ManagementThere is illegal use of water in the basinImprove water management by ending illegal water use.Prioritize enforcement to diminish and ultimately stop illegal water use.NearInitial meetings sponsored by Harney County Court. (though deemed inadequate by some Collaborative members).
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There is no central communication network to inform irrigators about water availability and priority regulation datesTimely information provided to irrigators regarding water availability, regulation with priority dates, and any other issue associated with water regulation.Develop a communications and information program to inform irrigators about surface water conditions (including water availability and current priority date for regulation).NearOWRD website provides information, but additional effort appears necessary.
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There are problems with the effective distribution of irrigation water to satisfy water rights and manage bird habitatsDevelop tools to effectively manage irrigation ditch water distribution at locations, depths, and durations that are effective for satisfying water rights and ensuring water bird habitat.Adequately maintain irrigation ditches.NearFunding provided for Harney Soil, Water, Conservation District to provide the opportunity to conduct work
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Antiquated irrigation infrastructure, changes to the irrigation system that have altered the flow of water through the floodplain, and changes since the original Silvies Decree have all created potential difficulty in effectively distributing water across parts of the system.To obtain a better understanding of how irrigation infrastructure affects distribution of irrigation water and how changes to the infrastructure affect bird habitat, and aquatic life. Inventory irrigation and other infrastructure that affects distribution of water. Use that inventory to evaluate distribution and efficiencies that consider irrigation water, bird habitat, and aquatic life.NearNot started
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In the lower Silvies, explore feasibility of installing stream gages or other structure to assist with accurate gross division of water.MidNot started
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Watershed ConditionsConifer infilling of large areas of forestland and rangeland has led to increased tree density, distribution, and cover which decreases the surface water supply. Increased later season flows of surface water.Provide input to federal land management agencies to include and prioritize the location and level of conifer reduction treatments designed to decrease water losses associated with evapotranspiration and promote snow distribution patterns that contribute to improved capture, storage, and safe (slow) release of water and maintenance of wildlife habitat in coordination with ODFW in the Basin.LongStarted
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To obtain data needed to inform strategic application of tree reduction treatments to improve watershed function.Targeted conifer (ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and juniper) reduction in snow accumulation (higher elevation) areas of the Silver Creek, Silvies, Malheur-Harney Lakes, and Donner und Blitzed Sub-basins receiving over 17.7 inches of annual precipitation to decrease losses associated with evapotranspiration and promote snow distribution patterns that contribute to improved capture, storage, and safe (slow) release of water in the Basin. LongStarted
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Riparian habitats have been degraded over time resulting in loss of wildlife and aquatic ecosystem support and watershed function.Improved riparian habitat conditions throughout the Harney Basin, with cooler streams, higher summer flows, and enhanced ecosystem resilience.Conduct a comprehensive assessment of riparian conditions and implement restoration actions in priority areas. Identify potential opportunities for beaver reintroduction.NearContract work started through the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative
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Cooler streams with higher summer and dry season flows that are better able to support fish, wildlife and invertebrates that rely on Harney Basin rivers and streams. Greater resilience for stream ecosystems as the climate changes. Better habitat for species that rely on the riparian areas.Identify and prioritize riparian habitat conditions for restoration or management to improve ecosystem functions.NearContract work started through the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative
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Implement riparian restoration and management actions in priority areas and early opportunity areas throughout the basin.NearContract work started through the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative
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Identify potential opportunities for beaver reintroduction.NearContracted with Dr. Emily Fairfax to identify potential reintroduction areas.
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Historic Overallocation of Surface WaterThere is inadequate measurement and reporting of surface water in the Harney Basin to manage for both instream and out-of-stream usesSurface water flows are measured throughout their flow paths to the lakes, providing accurate data for managing both instream and out-of-stream uses.Increase the efficiency and accuracy of streamflow measurement in the basin for both instream and out-of-stream uses.NearNot started
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Measure the quantity of water being diverted out-of-stream at primary diversions, report to OWRD and make publicly available.NearNot started
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Impacts to Instream Uses and EcologyThere is a lack of adequate streamflow to provide for instream needs in certain streams and rivers.Streamflows that support fish, other aquatic organisms including freshwater mussels, wildlife, and healthy riparian areas, and help alleviate high stream temperatures. Increasing streamflows during the summer and dry season will help mitigate changing hydrology resulting from climate change.Identify streamflow restoration needs and develop a program to address the needs.NearNot started
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There is a need for additional streamflow data to understand, manage, and restore aquatic ecosystems in the basin's rivers and streams.Data contribute to a better understanding of opportunities to maintain and restore aquatic habitat across the basin. Data inform the approaches, tools, and methods with which those opportunities can be implemented.Achieve more complete streamflow gaging in the Harney Basin.NearNot started
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There is a need to address fish passage barriers and impediments to fish movement. Stream habitat that is better connected, allowing fish and other aquatic organisms to access and utilize the best habitat; Cooler streams, likely with increased flow in certain seasons.Establish appropriate volitional fish passage throughout the basin, recognizing that the prevention of expansion of common carp is an important consideration.NearNot started
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The lack of fish screens on some irrigation diversions harms native fish and contributes to the spread of invasive fishes.Prevent native fish entrainment into irrigation ditches leading to mortalities and prevent access to habitats that increase invasive populations.Install screens to encourage healthy populations of native fishes.NearNot started
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Stream temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions exceed Oregon water quality standards in some places. More data is needed.Improved water quality that supports a diverse aquatic and riparian community.Take appropriate actions to improve factors affecting degraded water quality.MidNot started
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Malheur Lake is a wetland affected by flows from the Silvies River and Donner und Blitzen River and currently is in a highly turbid state due to sediment input, sediment resuspension, and carp disturbance.A more complete understanding of the factors affecting turbidity conditions in the marsh.Continue investigations of sediment sources to Malheur Lake.NearWork funded by Harney Basin Wetland Collaborative
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A more complete understanding of the variable lake level conditions resulting from changing inputs from surface and groundwater and their effects on the ecology of Malheur Lake.Continue investigations of water quantity and flow influences on Malheur Lake conditionsNearOngoing
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Out-of-Stream UsesAntiquated irrigation infrastructure, changes to the irrigation system, and issues since the original Silvies Decree have created difficulties in effectively distributing water.Better understanding of how irrigation infrastructure affects water distribution, and how changes to the infrastructure affect bird habitat and aquatic life.Inventory irrigation and other infrastructure that affects distribution of water. Explore feasibility of installing stream gages or other structures in the lower Silvies to improve water distribution.NearNot started
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In the lower Silvies, explore feasibility of installing stream gages or other structure to assist with accurate gross division of water.MidNot started
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Climate Change ImpactsClimate conditions in the Harney Basin are warmer and drier, impacting surface water resources.Improved knowledge of limitations and ability of of irrigators to adapt to changing conditions, protection of Burns/Hines from repeated flood damages, maintenance of ecolgoical and geomorphological conditions of streeams entering the Harney Valley, Increased upland surface water storage in beaver pondsManage surface water resources during climate change/drought events in a way that helps to meet the short-term and long-term needs of the Harney basin’s people, ecosystems, and economy.LongNot started
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Limited InformationThere are concerns that groundwater withdrawal has an adverse effect on surface water as expressed by declining or halted spring flow, declining stream flow, and possibly lake level effects near concentrated groundwater withdrawal areas. **It should be noted that we don’t know the full impacts of groundwater withdrawalBuild an understanding of how groundwater pumping effects spring and river baseflow. Conduct an evaluation on the local-scale effects on springs and river
baseflow that are near concentrated groundwater withdrawal areas		NearNot started
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There is a lack of locally-based information about the current distribution of persistent wetlands, by type, throughout the Basin to aid in conservation and management.An understanding of how surface water irrigation can be used to benefit diverse wetland types in the Harney Basin, particularly as water availability becomes increasingly uncertain.Expand the Open Range Consulting (ORC) mapping off refuge to allow for a fuller understanding of on-the-ground conditionsNearFunded through Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative
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There is a lack of information needed to manage the changing quantity of water needed to maintain diverse wetlands types, including semi-permanent marshes and other seasonal wetlands. Development of a quantity metric for understanding how much water is needed to manage wetlands for diverse bird species and for other wildlife. This will help with future water planning.Install appropriate measuring devices to understand how much water is needed to irrigate specific wet meadows and associated seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands.MidNot started
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Rivers and streams are disconnected from floodplains in some parts of the basin.Streams throughout the basin are well connected to their floodplains resulting in improved water quality, higher water quality riparian vegetation, reduced erosion, and more natural functionality of rehabiilitated river reaches. Reintroduce beavers to the watershed where habitat exists and landowners and public land managers are willing.MidNot started
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Identify stream restoration actions that reintroduce meanders and floodplain reconnection where appropriate and feasible.MidNot started
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