Bend residents can earn up to $3,000 through a turf-removal rebate by converting lawns into xeriscapes to conserve water and reduce infrastructure demand, available until 2024 or funds run out.
In the Media
Guest Column: Meeting Central Oregon’s water challenges
Jefferson County farmers, facing severe drought impacts and economic challenges, value Michael Kohn’s articles on water issues, as local agriculture, a cornerstone of the economy with deep family and innovation roots, seeks resiliency through collaborative efforts and strategic resource management.
Rising population, shrinking water: Central Oregon works to solve chronic water troubles
Central Oregon is grappling with water shortages exacerbated by rapid population growth, challenging the region to find sustainable solutions. The Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative is one initiative bringing together diverse stakeholders to conserve water and address the uneven distribution of resources, highlighting the importance of collaboration in managing environmental challenges.
Explainer: The complex history of canals in Central Oregon
By MICHAEL KOHN For more than a century, Central Oregonians have thrived — and at times withered — because of the web of irrigation canals that stretch deep into the High Desert. The history of…
VIDEO: Central Oregon is a giant sponge. So why has it been in a drought for so long?
Discover why Central Oregon remains dry despite above-average snowpack, as the region’s volcanic, sponge-like geology plays a crucial role in water absorption and release, impacting drought and water availability.
As Oregon enforces its water use requirements, small farmers face the consequences
Oak Song Farm’s struggle with Oregon’s water rights regulations highlights the challenges small farms face in navigating complex laws that threaten their sustainability and livelihood.
Columbia River Tribes, Gorge Commission back Warm Springs Tribes in Thornburgh Resort court dispute
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation challenge the Land Use Board of Appeals’ decision, arguing it disregards indigenous expertise and Treaty rights in a case involving the Thornburgh Resort’s mitigation plan.
Bend, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to sign first-of-its-kind agreement
The Bend City Council and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are poised to sign a landmark agreement to hold annual meetings discussing mutual interests like water resource management and cultural protection, marking a first in Central Oregon.
Plenty of recent late-winter snowfall has helped build region’s snowpack; Mt. Bachelor skiers welcome the fresh powder
Recent snowstorms have boosted Oregon’s snowpack levels above normal in the Deschutes-Crooked River basin and improved conditions at ski resorts like Mt. Bachelor, despite the High Desert still experiencing moderate drought, offering a welcome change for skiers and snowboarders.