Important Information

TOWN HALL MEETING

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Join us for a town hall meeting as we share drought conditions and district updates.

5:30 – 7 p.m. (presentation at 5:45 p.m.)

Powell Butte Community Center 8404 SW Reif Rd, Powell Butte

Questions? Please call us at 541-548-6047 or email info@coid.org

February 7, 2023: February Stock Run Notice

COID will begin a Central Oregon Canal stock run on Tuesday, February 14. The Central Oregon Canal serves the areas of Alfalfa, Bend, and Powell Butte. Due to current river conditions, the water will move very slowly through the canal and is expected to take longer than usual to reach the outlying areas.

February 14 is a tentative date, and the run may be rescheduled and/or canceled due to inclement weather, low flows in the Deschutes River, or unforeseen events.

There will NOT be a stock run on the Pilot Butte Canal (services north end of Bend, Redmond & Terrebonne) due to construction modernization efforts to eliminate water waste and keeping water flowing.

Stock water runs are for the sole purpose of filling ponds to provide water for livestock. If you want to have stock water, please contact the office to make your request. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours before the water run.

Beginning February 7, North Unit Irrigation District will be drawing water off the Deschutes River to fill Haystack Reservoir.

January 13, 2023

RE: Center for Biological Diversity Files Formal 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue

On January 12, 2023, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), alleging that the two federal agencies are violating the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Among other things, the letter alleges that Reclamation is violating the ESA by continuing to operate the Deschutes River Basin Project, and that the Service is violating the ESA because it approved the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and issued an incidental take permit under the ESA to the DBBC irrigation districts.  At its core, CBD’s allegation is that the Service and Reclamation are not doing enough to protect the Oregon spotted frog, a species that is listed as threatened under the ESA.  The letter serves to notify the Service and Reclamation that CBD intends to sue them under the citizen suit provisions of the ESA.

As required by the ESA, a party must provide 60 days’ notice before it may bring a citizen suit.  Thus, it appears the earliest that CBD will formally sue the agencies is March 14, 2023.  We would note that CBD has not indicated in its letter that it intends to sue the irrigation districts, and as such, when CBD does file suit, the Service and Reclamation will be the defendants.  Also, the letter does not allege that the districts are failing to implement the conservation measures included in the HCP or are otherwise failing to comply with the terms and conditions contained in the permit issued to them by the Service.  Rather, CBD is asserting that the terms and conditions in the permit should be even more stringent than what’s currently required.

The new CBD notice of intent to sue follows prior litigation brought in 2015 by CBD and WaterWatch of Oregon (WaterWatch) against the Service, Reclamation, and five of the irrigation districts.  In that litigation, CBD and WaterWatch moved for a preliminary injunction to significantly alter irrigation water storage and use in the basin.  The U.S. District Court of Oregon denied that motion.  The litigation ended in a settlement, pursuant to which the irrigation districts agreed to complete the HCP.  The HCP was completed and approved by the Service at the end of 2020, and the irrigation districts have been implementing the HCP and honoring their commitments since that time.

We will continue to monitor actions that may result from CBD’s notice.  In the meantime, the districts remain fully committed to following the terms and conditions contained in their incidental take permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 10 of the ESA.  Moreover, we intend to take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure that our permit remains valid and continues to provide the districts with the certainty they need to store and deliver irrigation water to their patrons.

The DBBC strongly believes that our communities should continue to work collaboratively and together from within rather than take direction from the outside, and we remain firmly committed to implementing the conservation measures outlined in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.

2023 Annual Notice of Board of Director Meetings

The Regular Board Meetings for Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) in the year 2023 will be held on the second (2nd) Tuesday of every month at 9:00 AM in the District office at 1055 SW Lake Court, Redmond, OR.  Monthly notices for these meetings will be posted at least two weeks prior to the meeting at the following locations:

  • The bulletin board in the District office
  • The District’s website, www.coid.org.
  • Emailed to the following entities:

 

2022 IRRIGATION SEASON START-UP

COID is expecting a water year like 2021; however, it is impossible to predict live flow and how it translates to reductions or deliveries. As drought conditions continue, please prepare for curtailment to 65% in mid to late July.

 Flow Schedule for Season:
These flows are the maximum allowable delivery Rate. Our ability to meet these rates is dependent on available water.
50% flow from Start Up Date – April 30th
75% flow from May 1st – May 14th
100% flow from May 15th – September 15th
75% flow from September 16th -September 30th
50% flow from October 1st – ?
Season shut off October (Specific date to be announced in September)
*Due to the drought conditions these flows are subject to change as flows in the Deschutes River decrease.

 

 

January 13, 2023
RE: Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue

On January 12, 2023, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), alleging that the two federal agencies are violating the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Among other things, the letter alleges that Reclamation is violating the ESA by continuing to operate the Deschutes River Basin Project, and that the Service is violating the ESA because it approved the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and issued an incidental take permit under the ESA to the DBBC irrigation districts.  At its core, CBD’s allegation is that the Service and Reclamation are not doing enough to protect the Oregon spotted frog, a species that is listed as threatened under the ESA.  The letter serves to notify the Service and Reclamation that CBD intends to sue them under the citizen suit provisions of the ESA.

As required by the ESA, a party must provide 60 days’ notice before it may bring a citizen suit.  Thus, it appears the earliest that CBD will formally sue the agencies is March 14, 2023.  We would note that CBD has not indicated in its letter that it intends to sue the irrigation districts, and as such, when CBD does file suit, the Service and Reclamation will be the defendants.  Also, the letter does not allege that the districts are failing to implement the conservation measures included in the HCP or are otherwise failing to comply with the terms and conditions contained in the permit issued to them by the Service.  Rather, CBD is asserting that the terms and conditions in the permit should be even more stringent than what’s currently required.

The new CBD notice of intent to sue follows prior litigation brought in 2015 by CBD and WaterWatch of Oregon (WaterWatch) against the Service, Reclamation, and five of the irrigation districts.  In that litigation, CBD and WaterWatch moved for a preliminary injunction to significantly alter irrigation water storage and use in the basin.  The U.S. District Court of Oregon denied that motion.  The litigation ended in a settlement, pursuant to which the irrigation districts agreed to complete the HCP.  The HCP was completed and approved by the Service at the end of 2020, and the irrigation districts have been implementing the HCP and honoring their commitments since that time.

We will continue to monitor actions that may result from CBD’s notice.  In the meantime, the districts remain fully committed to following the terms and conditions contained in their incidental take permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 10 of the ESA.  Moreover, we intend to take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure that our permit remains valid and continues to provide the districts with the certainty they need to store and deliver irrigation water to their patrons.

The DBBC strongly believes that our communities should continue to work collaboratively and together from within rather than take direction from the outside, and we remain firmly committed to implementing the conservation measures outlined in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.

2023 Annual Notice of Board of Director Meetings

The Regular Board Meetings for Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) in the year 2023 will be held on the second (2nd) Tuesday of every month at 9:00 AM in the District office at 1055 SW Lake Court, Redmond, OR.  Monthly notices for these meetings will be posted at least two weeks prior to the meeting at the following locations:

  • The bulletin board in the District office
  • The District’s website, www.coid.org.
  • Emailed to the following entities:

 

2022 IRRIGATION SEASON START-UP

COID is expecting a water year like 2021; however, it is impossible to predict live flow and how it translates to reductions or deliveries. As drought conditions continue, please prepare for curtailment to 65% in mid to late July.

 Flow Schedule for Season:
These flows are the maximum allowable delivery Rate. Our ability to meet these rates is dependent on available water.
50% flow from Start Up Date – April 30th
75% flow from May 1st – May 14th
100% flow from May 15th – September 15th
75% flow from September 16th -September 30th
50% flow from October 1st – ?
Season shut off October (Specific date to be announced in September)
*Due to the drought conditions these flows are subject to change as flows in the Deschutes River decrease.

January 13, 2023
RE: Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue

On January 12, 2023, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), alleging that the two federal agencies are violating the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Among other things, the letter alleges that Reclamation is violating the ESA by continuing to operate the Deschutes River Basin Project, and that the Service is violating the ESA because it approved the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and issued an incidental take permit under the ESA to the DBBC irrigation districts.  At its core, CBD’s allegation is that the Service and Reclamation are not doing enough to protect the Oregon spotted frog, a species that is listed as threatened under the ESA.  The letter serves to notify the Service and Reclamation that CBD intends to sue them under the citizen suit provisions of the ESA.

As required by the ESA, a party must provide 60 days’ notice before it may bring a citizen suit.  Thus, it appears the earliest that CBD will formally sue the agencies is March 14, 2023.  We would note that CBD has not indicated in its letter that it intends to sue the irrigation districts, and as such, when CBD does file suit, the Service and Reclamation will be the defendants.  Also, the letter does not allege that the districts are failing to implement the conservation measures included in the HCP or are otherwise failing to comply with the terms and conditions contained in the permit issued to them by the Service.  Rather, CBD is asserting that the terms and conditions in the permit should be even more stringent than what’s currently required.

The new CBD notice of intent to sue follows prior litigation brought in 2015 by CBD and WaterWatch of Oregon (WaterWatch) against the Service, Reclamation, and five of the irrigation districts.  In that litigation, CBD and WaterWatch moved for a preliminary injunction to significantly alter irrigation water storage and use in the basin.  The U.S. District Court of Oregon denied that motion.  The litigation ended in a settlement, pursuant to which the irrigation districts agreed to complete the HCP.  The HCP was completed and approved by the Service at the end of 2020, and the irrigation districts have been implementing the HCP and honoring their commitments since that time.

We will continue to monitor actions that may result from CBD’s notice.  In the meantime, the districts remain fully committed to following the terms and conditions contained in their incidental take permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 10 of the ESA.  Moreover, we intend to take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure that our permit remains valid and continues to provide the districts with the certainty they need to store and deliver irrigation water to their patrons.

The DBBC strongly believes that our communities should continue to work collaboratively and together from within rather than take direction from the outside, and we remain firmly committed to implementing the conservation measures outlined in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.

2023 Annual Notice of Board of Director Meetings

The Regular Board Meetings for Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) in the year 2023 will be held on the second (2nd) Tuesday of every month at 9:00 AM in the District office at 1055 SW Lake Court, Redmond, OR.  Monthly notices for these meetings will be posted at least two weeks prior to the meeting at the following locations:

  • The bulletin board in the District office
  • The District’s website, www.coid.org.
  • Emailed to the following entities:

 

2022 IRRIGATION SEASON START-UP

COID is expecting a water year like 2021; however, it is impossible to predict live flow and how it translates to reductions or deliveries. As drought conditions continue, please prepare for curtailment to 65% in mid to late July.

 Flow Schedule for Season:
These flows are the maximum allowable delivery Rate. Our ability to meet these rates is dependent on available water.
50% flow from Start Up Date – April 30th
75% flow from May 1st – May 14th
100% flow from May 15th – September 15th
75% flow from September 16th -September 30th
50% flow from October 1st – ?
Season shut off October (Specific date to be announced in September)
*Due to the drought conditions these flows are subject to change as flows in the Deschutes River decrease.

January 13, 2023
RE: Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue

On January 12, 2023, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), alleging that the two federal agencies are violating the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Among other things, the letter alleges that Reclamation is violating the ESA by continuing to operate the Deschutes River Basin Project, and that the Service is violating the ESA because it approved the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and issued an incidental take permit under the ESA to the DBBC irrigation districts.  At its core, CBD’s allegation is that the Service and Reclamation are not doing enough to protect the Oregon spotted frog, a species that is listed as threatened under the ESA.  The letter serves to notify the Service and Reclamation that CBD intends to sue them under the citizen suit provisions of the ESA.

As required by the ESA, a party must provide 60 days’ notice before it may bring a citizen suit.  Thus, it appears the earliest that CBD will formally sue the agencies is March 14, 2023.  We would note that CBD has not indicated in its letter that it intends to sue the irrigation districts, and as such, when CBD does file suit, the Service and Reclamation will be the defendants.  Also, the letter does not allege that the districts are failing to implement the conservation measures included in the HCP or are otherwise failing to comply with the terms and conditions contained in the permit issued to them by the Service.  Rather, CBD is asserting that the terms and conditions in the permit should be even more stringent than what’s currently required.

The new CBD notice of intent to sue follows prior litigation brought in 2015 by CBD and WaterWatch of Oregon (WaterWatch) against the Service, Reclamation, and five of the irrigation districts.  In that litigation, CBD and WaterWatch moved for a preliminary injunction to significantly alter irrigation water storage and use in the basin.  The U.S. District Court of Oregon denied that motion.  The litigation ended in a settlement, pursuant to which the irrigation districts agreed to complete the HCP.  The HCP was completed and approved by the Service at the end of 2020, and the irrigation districts have been implementing the HCP and honoring their commitments since that time.

We will continue to monitor actions that may result from CBD’s notice.  In the meantime, the districts remain fully committed to following the terms and conditions contained in their incidental take permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 10 of the ESA.  Moreover, we intend to take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure that our permit remains valid and continues to provide the districts with the certainty they need to store and deliver irrigation water to their patrons.

The DBBC strongly believes that our communities should continue to work collaboratively and together from within rather than take direction from the outside, and we remain firmly committed to implementing the conservation measures outlined in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.

2023 Annual Notice of Board of Director Meetings

The Regular Board Meetings for Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) in the year 2023 will be held on the second (2nd) Tuesday of every month at 9:00 AM in the District office at 1055 SW Lake Court, Redmond, OR.  Monthly notices for these meetings will be posted at least two weeks prior to the meeting at the following locations:

  • The bulletin board in the District office
  • The District’s website, www.coid.org.
  • Emailed to the following entities:

 

2022 IRRIGATION SEASON START-UP

COID is expecting a water year like 2021; however, it is impossible to predict live flow and how it translates to reductions or deliveries. As drought conditions continue, please prepare for curtailment to 65% in mid to late July.

 Flow Schedule for Season:
These flows are the maximum allowable delivery Rate. Our ability to meet these rates is dependent on available water.
50% flow from Start Up Date – April 30th
75% flow from May 1st – May 14th
100% flow from May 15th – September 15th
75% flow from September 16th -September 30th
50% flow from October 1st – ?
Season shut off October (Specific date to be announced in September)
*Due to the drought conditions these flows are subject to change as flows in the Deschutes River decrease.

2022 Water Outlook – March 29, 2022

March 16, 2022, marked the third consecutive year that Deschutes County has declared a drought and the first time the county has ever declared a drought three years in a row. Twice before the county had back-to-back droughts, in 1991-1992 and 2001-2002.

Central Oregon’s snowpack and precipitation remain below average for the water year. As of March 28, the Upper Deschutes and Crooked River basins were 81% of the median for precipitation and just 57% of the median for snowpack (Snow Water Equivalent).

COID is expecting a water year like 2021; however, it is impossible to predict live flow and how it translates to reductions or deliveries. As drought conditions continue, please prepare for curtailment to 65% in mid to late July.

While conservation is a critical tool for saving water during a drought, it is only one of many actions that must be taken to address drought. COID is committed to investing in water infrastructure to diversify supplies essential to building climate resilience throughout the Deschutes Basin.

Long-term, COID is working on the following:

  • Water marketing that allows for more legal options to move water between districts.
  • Large piping projects that create significant water savings to benefit farmers, the Deschutes River and endangered species.
  • On-farm and past the Point of Delivery conservation projects.
  • Working with legislators to provide financial relief for our farmers experiencing drought.

Sign up now to receive important alerts and notifications.

  • Text “COID” to 541-348-7322
  • Email us at info@coid.org to be added to our email list
  • Follow us on Facebook @CentralOregonIrrigation

Letter from Board to One Acre or Less Patrons

March 18, 2022

Dear One Acre or Less COID Patron,

We are writing as a follow up to our December 10, 2021, letter notifying you of the annual assessment increases planned between 2022 and 2026.

We appreciate the input we received regarding the one acre or less service charge and want to provide additional background on the reasoning for the service charge.

The cost to operate and maintain the delivery system for smaller acreages (one or less is acre) is higher than for larger acreages. The service charge for smaller acreage covers the increased cost to deliver water. Small acreage deliveries are more problematic throughout the District than large acreage deliveries. COID field crews respond to far greater calls for small acreage deliveries than large acreage deliveries. In addition, deliveries in urban areas for small acreages are more expensive to repair due to dealing with fences, pavement and sidewalk repair, traffic control, and permits from agencies. Oregon law recognizes that subdivided and small tract lands tend to create additional expense for irrigation districts, and so the law allows districts to collect this kind of service charge.

The board took into consideration the feedback from patrons. After much discussion and reviewing our detailed rate study, the board unanimously voted to keep the one acre or less rate increase as planned. This action is necessary for the financial health of the organization and so that we can continue to provide you reliable service.

The rate adjustments provide a pricing structure and plan to meet COID’s long-term obligations.

Sincerely,

Central Oregon Irrigation District Board
Paul Kasberger, Division 1
Carroll Penhollow, Division 2
Dan Ellingson, Division 3
Brad Clarno, Division 4
Tom Burke, Division 5

Click here for a pdf of the letter and Frequently asked questions: One Acre or Less_follow up