BEND, Ore. (AP) — Central Oregon irrigators will participate in a water bank this summer under a pilot program designed to help drought-stricken farmers get by. Because of low Deschutes River flows and environmental protections, there’s not enough water for all users — and those with more recent water rights have seen their pipes turned off with crops still in the ground while those with older water claims have water. The program, facilitated by the Deschutes River Conservancy, will pay farmers with more senior water rights $100 for every acre they don’t water and that water will go to those in the North Irrigation District.
Drought-stricken Oregon farmers embark on water bank pilot
