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Where We Work

Oregon

Water cascades down into springs from forested hillside.
Metolius Springs Metolius Springs is located northwest of Bend, Oregon. © TNC

Protecting Oregon’s Groundwater to Sustain the State’s Beautiful and Diverse Ecosystems

TNC Oregon is working to protect the state’s most precious resource, water, which contributes to its rich biodiversity, complex habitats, flourishing economy, and sustains healthy communities.

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Hidden beneath the surface, Oregon’s groundwater is critical to all aspects of the state’s success and health.

Oregon’s abundant supply of clean, high-quality water is the setting for our most biodiverse and iconic habitats, acts as our primary economic asset, and provides for healthy cultures and communities. However, water is not being managed for long-term sustainability. Surface water resources are fully allocated across the state during the dry season, so water users like agricultural businesses and municipalities are turning to groundwater at an unprecedented rate. Over-allocation of groundwater rights has affected vulnerable, front-line communities throughout the state, leading to drinking water shortages and domestic well failures. Oregon’s ecosystems need groundwater, too: it has more springs than any other state in the country; more than a third of all rivers by length, half of all wetlands, and nearly two-thirds of all lakes rely on groundwater.

Hot Springs This hot spring provides warmth in the winter in Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. © Zach Freed
The Deschutes The Deschutes River was once called the "Peculiar River" due to its consistent and drought-resilient flows. Now we know that's because of groundwater. © Zach Freed
The Little Blitzen The Little Blitzen River relies on groundwater for its consistent flow. © Zach Freed
Water for Livestock TNC scientists work with partners to balance water needs for wildlife and livestock. © Zach Freed
Metolius Headwater Springs The Metolius River has the most consistent flow of any gaged stream in Oregon due to the springs that support it. © Zach Freed
Lake Abert Lake Abert relies on groundwater, like many lakes in Oregon. TNC scientist Zach Freed points to a contributing spring. © Zach Freed
Climate Resilient Streams TNC scientists discuss conservation of climate-resilient spring-fed streams. © Zach Freed
Broken Top Springs An unnamed spring on Broken Top Mountain, central Oregon. © Zach Freed
Better Data for Management TNC staff install and calibrate a streamflow measuring device to help partners at Trout Creek Ranch, Oregon. © Zach Freed
Measuring Baseflow TNC staff calibrate their instruments using a nearby gaging station on Trout Creek, Oregon. © Zach Freed
Better Data for Management TNC staff install and calibrate a streamflow measuring device to help partners at Trout Creek Ranch, Oregon. © Zach Freed
× Hot Springs This hot spring provides warmth in the winter in Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. © Zach Freed
× The Deschutes The Deschutes River was once called the "Peculiar River" due to its consistent and drought-resilient flows. Now we know that's because of groundwater. © Zach Freed
× The Little Blitzen The Little Blitzen River relies on groundwater for its consistent flow. © Zach Freed
× Water for Livestock TNC scientists work with partners to balance water needs for wildlife and livestock. © Zach Freed
× Metolius Headwater Springs The Metolius River has the most consistent flow of any gaged stream in Oregon due to the springs that support it. © Zach Freed
× Lake Abert Lake Abert relies on groundwater, like many lakes in Oregon. TNC scientist Zach Freed points to a contributing spring. © Zach Freed
× Climate Resilient Streams TNC scientists discuss conservation of climate-resilient spring-fed streams. © Zach Freed
× Broken Top Springs An unnamed spring on Broken Top Mountain, central Oregon. © Zach Freed
× Better Data for Management TNC staff install and calibrate a streamflow measuring device to help partners at Trout Creek Ranch, Oregon. © Zach Freed
× Measuring Baseflow TNC staff calibrate their instruments using a nearby gaging station on Trout Creek, Oregon. © Zach Freed
× Better Data for Management TNC staff install and calibrate a streamflow measuring device to help partners at Trout Creek Ranch, Oregon. © Zach Freed

TNC Oregon is striving for sustainable solutions to support its communities.

Groundwater is a finite resource with growing demand and shrinking supply. Oregon’s water management is hindered by limited information and outdated management strategies. TNC-Oregon’s Sustainable Water Strategy seeks to answer the following questions: Is our water being managed sustainably for people and nature? If so, how can we ensure the resiliency of our rivers and aquifers in a changing climate? If not, how can communities transition to a secure water future? Projects within the strategy directly contribute to Oregon’s climate adaptivity and ecological resilience with a focus on water shortages and drought. The Nature Conservancy in Oregon will fill information gaps with innovative science, advocate for water-smart policies, and work with communities to develop and implement basin-scale plans.

Tools

  • Stage-Volume-Area Table for Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2021

    This hydrologic tool allows users to understand total lake volume and water elevation for a given lake area in Malheur Lake, Oregon. Access the Stage-Volume-Area Table & Dataset.

Reports

  • Report documenting changes in groundwater levels, climate, and phreatophyte NDVI over the past 30+ years.

    Status & Trends of GDEs

    PDF

    A report documenting changes in groundwater levels, climate, and phreatophyte NDVI over the past 30+ years.

    DOWNLOAD
  • This report assesses multiple indicators of groundwater-dependence in five types of groundwater-dependent ecosystems across Oregon, as well as stressors and threats.

    Oregon Atlas of GDEs

    PDF

    A TNC report that assesses multiple indicators of groundwater-dependence in five types of groundwater-dependent ecosystems across Oregon, as well as stressors and threats to those GDEs.

    DOWNLOAD

Literature

  • An assessment of ecohydrologic characteristics of 2,500 springs in central Oregon, including 137 field-surveyed springs.

    Central Oregon Springs

    PDF

    An assessment of ecohydrologic characteristics of 2,500 springs in central Oregon, including 137 field-surveyed springs.

    DOWNLOAD
  • This paper describes a water budget tool developed by Freed et al. that was used to assess hydrologic outcomes of different management scenarios in the Wapato Lake, Oregon.

    Evaluation of Restoration Alternatives

    PDF

    This paper describes a water budget tool developed by Freed et al. that was used to assess hydrologic outcomes of different management scenarios in the Wapato Lake, Oregon.

    DOWNLOAD
  • Paper creating conceptual framework for different types of potential climate refugia in springs.

    Oases of the Future?

    PDF

    A paper creating conceptual framework for different types of potential climate refugia in springs.

    DOWNLOAD
  • Paper describing the vulnerability of springs and phreatophytes to groundwater level declines, and comparing across Oregon and Nevada.

    Springs and Phreatophytes

    PDF

    A collaborative paper describing the vulnerability of springs and phreatophytes to groundwater level declines, and comparing across Oregon and Nevada.

    DOWNLOAD

Resources and websites on TNC-Oregon's groundwater and sustainability to come.

 

If you have questions or comments about anything you see here on the Groundwater Resource Hub, please send an email to gwrhubcontactus@tnc.org, or contact any of our staff listed below.

To connect with TNC Oregon, please reach out to:

Zach Freed
Sustainable Water Strategy Director
zach.freed@tnc.org

Claire Ruffing
Water Scientist
claire.ruffing@tnc.org