Water 2025: Preventing Crises and Conflict in the West

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i'G �. rte' R''i `� e�•#' �� ti-f � !.."L M1 .t}."' ': q` r,t a ..} a-Dt yt �'. '_ �k Gt;t `�r4 dih L t .i�.. f - ,.�F'4?F• XS }, I Conservation, Efficiency, and Mavketsz Improve Water Management and Use Market -Based Approaches To Head Off Conflicts ✓SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems allow river managers to remotely monitor and operate key river and canal facilities on a real -time basis. Individual stations can be set to monitor river levels or flow rates continuously. In addition, Reclamation and water district managers can respond to daily water management needs and emergencies in a timely fashion by controlling pump and canal facilities remotely. The cost of this high -tech equipment was once thought to be out of reach for most irrigation delivery entities, but today has become more affordable. However, less than 20 percent of irrigation water delivery systems currently use this technology. Reclamation's research has shown that for every $1 spent on canal modernization (such as rehabilitating canal gates), an expected return of $3 to $5 in conserved water can be achieved. ✓For every $1 spent on maintaining an existing canal lining, a return of up to $10 in conserved water can be achieved. ✓Canal- lining technologies can minimize seepage losses at a reasonable cost. ✓More than 30 test sections have been constructed in several irrigation districts throughout the Pacific Northwest. Canals in central Oregon have reduced seepage losses by up to 50 percent. Installing canal lining technologies Most irrigation water delivery canals in the West are currently unlined. Water savings and corresponding increases in available water supplies from installation of canal lining technologies could be significant as a whole. ✓Reclamation is providing funding and technical assistance to state and local agencies and water districts in the Klamath basin area to conserve existing water through the lining of canals.