HERMISTON — What started as an ambitious concept to improve water sustainability in the Umatilla Basin is coming to fruition.
Shovels laser-engraved with the Northeast Oregon Water Association and Umatilla County logos were used during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Central Project near Hermiston. The project will deliver mitigated Columbia River water to expand economic development while also relieving pressure on over-pumped groundwater aquifers.
Construction has begun on a third and final pipeline that will deliver water from the Columbia River to boost economic development in the region, while simultaneously relieving groundwater aquifers that have been over-pumped for decades.
J.R. Cook, left, founder and director of the Northeast Oregon Water Association, stands with Craig Reeder, chief financial officer for Madison Ranches in Echo on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Ordnance Regional Water Supply and Aquifer Restoration Project — more informally known as the Central Project.
Local officials touring the West Project stop Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. at a pump station along the Columbia River near Boardman. Mitigated Columbia River water is being used to feed farms and industry, while simultaneously relieving pressure on over-pumped groundwater aquifers.
State, local and tribal officials gathered Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, to break ground on the Ordnance Regional Water Supply and Aquifer Restoration Project — more informally known as the Central Project — at the former Umatilla Chemical Depot near Hermiston.
State Sen. Elizabeth Steiner presents a check for $6 million to Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer, right, during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Central Project pipeline Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the former Umatilla Chemical Depot near Hermiston.
Inside the packing facility for Madison-Cox Onions near Echo. The business started in 2019 thanks to the West Project, which is supplying mitigated water from the Columbia River to grow higher-value onions rather than wheat and canola.
Bags of red onions run along an automated conveyor belt inside the packing facility at Madison-Cox Onions near Echo. The onions are sold to several high-profile restaurants including Subway and Chipotle.
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