This process will continue over the next 10 years. Many changes in the operation of these projects are being proposed by the fishery and environmental interests to compensate for the damage to those resources caused by the dams. ODA participates in these discussions to insure existing water right holders are protected from damage to their rights due to proposed changes in the operation of these hydroelectric projects. Over the past few years, ODA has participated in an interagency technical team that reviewed applications for new water rights for potential impacts on weak fish stocks. While nearly 78 percent of water withdrawal usage in Oregon goes for irrigation, this amounts to less than 1 percent of river flows - 99 percent continues downstream to the ocean.
Irrigation is dispersed all over the state, but predominates in four major areas of extensive use.