top of page
Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP)
< Explore more
Program level:
Local
Provider:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Benefits provided:
Financial, Free technical assistance
Land use:
Agriculture
Water-focused program:
Yes
A basin-wide project to help agricultural productivity with irrigation supply, by building infrastructure.
Overview
Description:
Groundwater supplies have been declining in the Odessa Subarea for many years putting the region at risk of losing this vitally important resource. Farmers that rely on water for their livelihoods and communities that rely on the aquifer for drinking water are beginning to realize what living without this vital resource would mean to the region.
The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) is a regional effort to implement the Odessa Subarea Special Study FEIS (2012), which is building the necessary infrastructure for farmers to exchange valid state-issued Odessa groundwater rights for Columbia Basin Project water.
The OGWRP consists of 3 main stages:
- Upgrades to create additional canal flow capacity that maximizes existing infrastructure.
- Construction of lateral delivery systems to convey water from the East Low Canal to lands that are eligible under the OGWRP.
- On-farm improvements to extend irrigation delivery to individual farms with cost efficiencies and conservation benefits.
Upgrades that have been completed to the main canal means it can now provide Columbia Basin Project water to pumping plants that will deliver water through laterals to farmlands within the project boundaries.
Eligibility:
Please check the map on the website to see if your land falls within the project boundaries. If you have questions about it, please contact Harold Crose.
Financial benefit:
The Grant County Conservation District (GCCD), East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID), other OGWRP partners, and your legislators are pursuing funding through USDA Farm Bill conservation programs to help fund the remaining components of the OGWRP, primarily including the pump stations, laterals, and on-farm build outs.
The three main federal funding programs we are pursuing are NRCS' Small Watershed Program (PL-566), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). By combining these programs, we are able to bring significant federal funding to help partners and producers implement the OGWRP. Getting involved as early as possible will help ensure you can take full advantage of these programs.
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
Contact Us
bottom of page