OGWRP TOUR HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS, PARTNERSHIP IN SECURING WATER FOR WASHINGTON POTATO FARMS

Potato growers, irrigation leaders, legislators and agency partners gathered for a hands-on tour of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) alongside National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Associate Chief Louis Aspey, marking a pivotal moment for water infrastructure in the Columbia Basin. The tour began with lunch and a program at the EL 47.5 pump station, followed by site visits to the siphon, the EL 86.4 public delivery system, and on-farm systems built with NRCS funding. Participants saw firsthand how OGWRP infrastructure is replacing deep well groundwater use with reliable surface water from the Columbia River, a shift essential to preserving long-term agricultural viability. The program, made possible through a strong federal-state-local partnership, has already delivered thousands of acres of surface water to farms, helping to stabilize aquifers, reduce energy use, and support the region’s high-value crops, including potatoes. Attendees expressed appreciation for the collaboration and urgency driving the program forward. As the tour concluded, participants left with a deeper understanding of the engineering, planning, and policy work behind OGWRP. The day’s discussions emphasized the need to accelerate project delivery and funding to meet increasing demand and replace failing wells.