Merkley, Wyden Announce $7.6 Million Federal Investment in Malheur County for Irrigation Efficiency Project

Merkley, Wyden Announce $7.6 Million Federal Investment in Malheur County for Irrigation Efficiency Project October 29, 2026 Nyssa, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $7,666,203 in federal funding is coming to the Owyhee Irrigation District (OID) in Oregon’s Mid-Snake River Basin for irrigation upgrades to improve water efficiency, reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, and enhance drought resilience for local agriculture. “This project delivers more of our precious water to farmers and helps reduce pollutants from entering nearby rivers—a win-win,” said Merkley. “These federal funds are critical to supporting sustainability for producers in a region challenged by recurring drought and limited water resources . I’ll keep fighting to deliver the necessary federal support for agriculture and clean water across our state.” “Water is a crucial commodity for farmers in Eastern Oregon, and this federal investment ensures more of it is available in the region for agriculture,” said Wyden. “These federal funds also benefit water quality throughout the Owyhee Irrigation District, making this $7.6 million-plus a major victory for the environment as well as the local economy.” “This RCPP investment will allow Owyhee Irrigation District to modernize critical infrastructure, improve water-use efficiency, and help our local farmers and ranchers better navigate the impacts of drought,” said Clancy Flynn, District Manager of Owyhee Irrigation District. “Thank you to NRCS for awarding this funding to the district, and to Senators Merkley and Wyden and the many other stakeholders who helped develop this proposal. We look forward to seeing the work begin and the benefits it will deliver for agriculture and the environment.” “The Freshwater Trust is excited to work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Owyhee Irrigation District, and Farmers Conservation Alliance to help farmers improve their irrigation systems, improve water quality in the Snake River watershed, and conserve water. We’re grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden for their strong support of this effort,” said Tim Wigington, VP Finance & Policy, The Freshwater Trust. “This Regional Conservation Partnership Program funding shows the multiple benefits that come from developing district infrastructure and on-farm improvements side by side,” said Julie O’Shea, Executive Director of Farmers Conservation Alliance. “It also shows what collaboration can achieve: projects that support agricultural communities, strengthen drought resilience, and improve the local environment.” The Owyhee Irrigation District in rural Malheur County is in the process of modernizing its 90-year-old water infrastructure. The district relies on 375 miles of aging canals to provide water to 67,000 acres of vital farmland that produces onions, alfalfa, and sugar beets. However, local farmers continue to face persistent drought conditions and rising costs. To address these challenges, OID applied for and received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement the following upgrades over the next five years: Save water: Convert 4.4 miles of open canals into enclosed piping to prevent evaporation and leaks, saving 595 acre-feet of water annually. Upgrade farm systems : Replace outdated surface flooding with high-efficiency sprinkler systems on more than 30 local farms. Protect waterways: Keep over 5,500 tons of sediment from eroding into local streams each year. Reduce pollution: Cut harmful agricultural runoff by keeping 13,556 pounds of phosphorus and 60,000 pounds of nitrogen out of local water systems. ###