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Water management and conservation

Photo Credit: davidrh - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Trees to Tap: How Forest Practices Affect Oregon's Municipal Water

By Jon Souder

Forests produce economic benefits such as timber, forest products and jobs. They also provide wildlife habitat, recreation, carbon storage and clean water. In fact, most of Oregon’s drinking water is sourced from our forests. But logging, forest road building, using herbicides and other activities related to growing and harvesting timber can impact the quality and quantity of water. Oregon State University scientists examine these links in this comprehensive look at watershed health.

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Photo Credit: Zach - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Featured Resources

Social geometry of collaborative flood risk management

Using the case study of Tillamook County, this study draws upon qualitative interview data to identify and explain social factors that have influenced the outcome of a collaborative, socially engaged flood management project.

Aug 2020 | OSU Sea Grant Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Identifying Tsunami Sand in Salt Marsh Stratigraphy

This hands-on lesson uses salt marsh sediment cores from Pacific Northwest estuaries.

May 2020 | OSU Sea Grant Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Tide Gates: Operation, Fish Passage and Recommendations for Their Upgrade or Removal

This document is intended for policymakers so they can make informed decisions about upgrading or removing tide gates in an effort to improve conditions for Oregon’s native migratory fish and other animals and plants that inhabit estuaries.

May 2020 | OSU Sea Grant Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

More water management resources

  • Land Steward online course: The OSU Land Steward online course is designed for owners of woodlands, small farms, pasture or other rural land who want to manage their property's natural resources more effectively. This is a research-based, professionally developed course.
  • Network of Oregon Watershed Councils (NOWC): he Network of Oregon Watershed Councils supports the work of watershed councils by increasing council capacity, representing councils with key partners and funders, and convening council staff and board members to learn from each other.
  • Stormwater Solutions for Green Infrastructure: This project provides education and technical assistance on green infrastructure (GI) practices that address these stormwater impacts.
  • National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA): The National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) is an organization of public agencies whose function is the protection of lives, property and economic activity from the adverse impacts of storm and flood waters.

Latest Resources

Thoughtful use of water in the garden pays off

How can home gardeners use water in the most efficient way possible? Here's a look at the best ways to deliver water in the garden and keep it available to be absorbed by plants for as long as possible.

Nicole Sanchez | May 2020 | Article

Rehabilitating Valley Floors to a Stage 0 Condition

This article is on Stage 0 rehabilitation practices and presents an initial synthesis of results that provide a foundation for understanding the effects of this approach on river rehabilitation.

Jul 2023 | OSU Sea Grant Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Beating the Heat: A Statewide Assessment of Drought and Heat Mitigation Practices (and Needs) with Oregon Farmers and Ranchers

Farmers and ranchers across Oregon are increasingly facing challenges related to extreme drought and heat. While emergency funds have been made available to producers impacted by these pressures in recent years, their recurrence indicates the need for both pre-emptive and longer-term solutions. The Oregon State Legislature requested that Oregon State University Extension Services conduct a statewide needs assessment with Oregon farmers and ranchers to pursue this goal. This report provides an overview of what actions are already being taken by producers to manage drought and heat and what resources and support they need to become more resilient in the face of these challenges.

Dr. Berit Dinsdale, María Isabel Zamora Re, Abigail Tomasek | Jun 2023 | Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Latest News

Sea Grant Extension coastal water resources specialist to serve south coast

Miranda Gray will focus on issues related to water supply, surface and groundwater quality, and community access to clean water along the south coast.

Tiffany Woods | Sep 15, 2023 | News story

New Oregon State agricultural economists help farmers and ranchers with their bottom line

Dan Bigelow and Tim Delbridge are assistant professors in the Department of Applied Economics and have statewide Extension responsibilities. Bigelow started Aug. 17 and Delbridge came on board Sept. 1.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 16, 2023 | News story

New book reviews Oregon forest management, water quality issues

Trees to Tap: How Forest Practices Affect Oregon’s Municipal Water, is a comprehensive new book exploring how forest management impacts Oregon’s water.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 4, 2021 | News story

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Meet Our Experts

Derek Godwin
Watershed Management
Jon Souder
Jon Souder
Watershed Management Specialist
Abigail Tomasek
Assistant Professor and Statewide Soil Water Quality Extension Specialist, Crop and Soil Science

Contact me with questions related to statewide soil and water quality.

María Isabel Zamora Re
Assistant Professor, Water Management/Statewide Irrigation Specialist

Contact me with questions about irrigation, water management, efficiency and conservation.

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White spots from watering with hard water?

Q: I’ve been suspecting for the last few years that a large problem for our garden and orchard is our hard water. Once I start introducing water from our irrigation, after the spring rains have dried up, the leaves curl, ...

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